Cheri was kind and generous enough to provide me with a sample of this (pricey) tea! Thanks so much, dear! The leaves are black, long, quite thin, and twisty. They definitely look similar to Fujian Black and Ailaoshan Black, the two teas that make up this blend. Dry scent is very chocolatey with sweet vanilla, yum yum! Cheri’s sample was about 2 teaspoons, so I just used the whole thing and used slightly more water (10 oz versus 8 oz) to compensate. I let it steep for 3 minutes.
Once brewed, it smells very strongly of grain and bread with plenty of malt. There’s also lovely chocolate and sweet vanilla with a bit of dried fruit (from the Ailaoshan I presume). I must say, I was expecting much more vanilla in the taste… The strongest notes are heavy grain and bread with that dill/caraway flavor that I often get with Fujian teas. There’s also a lot of dark bitter cocoa flavor and a touch of dark dried fruits (maybe raisins or prunes). I am surprised to not find much vanilla here, and I’m also surprised that this tea comes off are more savory than sweet to me. I’m partially relieved that I don’t love it based on the price, and partially worried that I’m missing something that other people are tasting… Lol.
Flavors: Bread, Dark Bittersweet, Dill, Grain, Raisins, Vanilla
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I’m glad you enjoyed it. It’s okay not to love a tea that everyone else seems to love.
Thanks for letting me try it! :D
it maybe water. i didnt try this one. I dont find any chocolate on Ailaoshan either. Fruits yes, chocolate – no. Ailashan is a little soapy to me. not in a bad way, i still like it. it reminds me Taiwanese blacks.
boychik, I don’t really get chocolate from Ailaoshan either. I think it’s the Fujian that contributes most of the cocoa notes here. :)
I’m glad you enjoyed it. It’s okay not to love a tea that everyone else seems to love.
Thanks for letting me try it! :D
it maybe water. i didnt try this one. I dont find any chocolate on Ailaoshan either. Fruits yes, chocolate – no. Ailashan is a little soapy to me. not in a bad way, i still like it. it reminds me Taiwanese blacks.
boychik, I don’t really get chocolate from Ailaoshan either. I think it’s the Fujian that contributes most of the cocoa notes here. :)