Tea Blog

After having the good fortune to taste a wide range of teas from numerous vendors, I’ve learned an important lesson: the first cup doesn’t always tell the whole story.

A recent experience with two black teas—both purchased rather than sampled—illustrates why you shouldn’t judge a tea by its first steep.

Setting the Expectation

These weren’t unusual teas. In fact, they were exactly the types I drink daily—a black tea blend and a Sri Lankan black tea. In other words, right in my comfort zone.

They were also orthodox, loose-leaf teas with clearly well-processed leaves—not the finely ground tea often found in mass-produced tea bags. Everything pointed toward a satisfying experience.

The First Impression

For the initial tasting, we followed the vendor’s instructions carefully: slightly cooler water than boiling and a steep time of four minutes.

The result was impressive. Both teas delivered rich, complex flavors—malty, raisiny, even hints of cocoa. Adding milk and sweetener worked beautifully.

First impressions? Excellent.

The Surprise

Later, we brewed a larger pot—six cups instead of two—expecting the same experience.

Instead, the results were… disappointing.

The vibrant flavors we initially enjoyed had faded. In their place were unexpected medicinal notes and a pronounced astringency.

This left us wondering:

• Did we misjudge the tea the first time?
• Did we brew it incorrectly?
• Was storage an issue?
• Could batch size really make that much difference?

What Changed?

We ruled out most variables:

• We followed the same brewing guidelines
• We used appropriate leaf quantities
• The tea was stored properly alongside other teas that remained consistent

The only remaining explanation? Our initial perception may have been influenced by expectation.

A Common Experience

This phenomenon isn’t unique. We’ve encountered similar changes with other teas—especially greens and whites, which tend to be more sensitive to time and storage.

Flavored teas also evolve noticeably:

• Jasmine teas can become overly floral over time
• Fruit blends may develop bitter or overripe notes
• Chocolate-infused teas can behave unpredictably

On the other hand, some teas improve with age. Pu-erh is a well-known example, often developing greater depth and smoothness over time.

The Role of Memory

It’s also worth considering the role of memory. Our recall of a tea’s flavor may not always be precise, especially over time.

What we remember as exceptional may not always hold up in subsequent tastings—and the reverse can also be true.

Bottom Line

Don’t rely solely on first impressions when it comes to tea.

Give teas a second chance—and don’t be surprised if your opinion changes over time.

See more of A.C. Cargill’s articles here.

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