Living in San Francisco, I am surrounded by historical monuments from churches (Grace Cathedral) to restaurants (Tadich Grill) and bars (Old Ship Saloon) that date back to the early 19th century and beyond. The history behind these places always fascinates me, particularly the bars, where people have traditionally gone to enjoy a drink or two. The old bars, with their dark wood, leather seats and velvet drapes host a wide array of spirits, one of them being Bourbon. The distinctive spirit of Bourbon has a rich history of its own with European roots and a strong association to the southern states - specifically Kentucky. Contrary to popular beliefs, Bourbon can be made anywhere and has 4 main ingredients: water, corn, rye and barley, that are aged in oak barrels to give it the unique flavor and color. The ingredient of barley is a key ingredient in my latest tea of the hour, Low Country Black Tea with Bourbon And Burnt Sugar Notes by August Uncommon. The tea takes me back to a time in history where walking into a saloon was the norm and enjoying a tasty spirit like Bourbon to “wet my whistle” was greeted with a smile from a male bartender with a thick mustache and friends who “know my name”.
You don’t need to be a lover of alcoholic drinks to enjoy this luxurious and smooth tea. For starters, the scent is intoxicating. Like walking into an old saloon, you inhale the earthy aromas of old wood, leather and spices dancing in the air like the tunes off of an old piano. The scent of sugar isn’t like candy but more like a sugar cube laced with oak. The old wood smell combined with the sweet sugar notes has a therapeutic effect on the senses, you want to brew a cup just to keep the aroma in the air and taste this lovely elixir in your mouth. This friend definitely knows your name and you’re already smiling.
The brew is divine, much like the bourbon notes, it turns to a beautiful shade of dark amber in your cup and holds steady with rich colors of brown with flecks of orange, red and gold. The smell of warm sugared oak fills the air and the only thing left to do is bring the cup to your lips...flavors of spices like cinnamon and vanilla can be found in this brew. The savory influence of the barley keeps the sweetness in it’s seat, the sugar is free to roam around and mingle but it does not leave the saloon. The barley itself has a toasted essence that provides an earthy flavor to this classy brew, don’t worry, you won’t grow a mustache but you will grow another smile on your face from drinking this tea.
When you get the urge for something smooth and delicious, get up out of your seat and reach for this tea. They say that time travel is impossible but this cup will have you traveling back in time to your favorite saloon, sitting on your old leather bar stool, sipping a tumbler of bourbon and smiling because everyone knows your name. Cheers!
Some say there is a divine message in a cup of brewed tea leaves, the leaves form a pattern in your empty cup and each person sees something different. What do the leaves in your cup look like?
Website: https://august.la/collections/tea/products/low-country
May all your tea wishes come true,
Fairy Teamother
This is a tea recommendation and history lesson all in one. Very interesting read, you have my mouth watering for sure! Looking forward to the next recommendation.