Hi folks,
I'm awaiting my second order from Ahlusion [Boba Tea, Caramel Apple, Tarte Tatin Pear, Lemon Vanilla Cake]. My first order was Maple Dream and Strawberry Shortcake. I like the Maple, the Shortcake tasted a bit "oily" to me.
I was wondering if there were any general rules of thumb regarding steeping A+? That is: cakes don't need it, Tea's do, etc.
Thoughts?
The only A+ Juice I've tried that doesn't get better with steeping is the W&A Sasparilla (Cherry Cola is off the menu). Might be others and some are good FOB too but they all get better later.
My steeping routine:
Open package, shake bottles
Open bottles one at a time and smell them (warning this makes waiting harder), leave them open until they are all open.
After all are open pick them up one at a time and smell them again (optional). Close them and shake daily.
I repeat this for a couple of days and then let them sit for about a week.
Sample them during this period as some take longer to hit the sweet spot than others and your sweet spot might be different than someone else's.
Opinions on cap off time varies. Some do it longer, some not at all and some think one hour, one time is perfect.
It seems to speed up the aging which is good when fresh bad when it is older.
Large bottles take longer than smaller and express flavors are generally good on arrival.
Recommend trying them all after a couple of days (small amount). The more complex flavors morph during steeping, some significantly. You taste different things and different stages as some flavors are more predominant early, some come out later and the final blended flavor is usually a couple of weeks out.
I find some of the teas do take longer. The Cha Yen Orange blossom get magical for me at about one month.