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SimplyJenW drank Keemun Black Tea – Grade 1 by Teavivre

985 tasting notes

Tea of the morning……

Sample provided by TeaVivre.

It has been a few years since I last had this one. TeaVivre very generously offered a sample package of oolong teas to me recently. Since I know myself very well in that I nearly always stick with black teas, I respectfully declined. I know there are oolong drinkers out there that would be better served by their offer. Angel offered to send me black teas in place of the oolongs. I cannot tell you how happy that made me! There are a few I had not tried, as well as a few I had not had for some time. I am also at a place in my tea journey where I don’t seek out free samples as I have reached a point of being quite content with my tea stash. However, a custom black tea sampler from them was very tempting as I shop there frequently and will likely buy some of these at a later date. They also added in a gaiwan to my package. Can I just add how wonderful this company is? They really take care of their customers.

This one is every bit as good as I remember. It is definitely a classic Keemun taste, and the beginning of the sip is a hearty blend of cocoa, malt, and slight earthiness with a touch of astringency. But, by the end of the sip, the astringency disappears. How do they do that?! It is like the aftertaste cleanses the palate to prepare you for the next sip. Wonderful. It is definitely a more refined Keemun. I am not sure why I did not purchase this before, but it is definitely a contender. We shall see how it stacks up the the Hao Ya. Stay tuned.

Usual teapot method.

Preparation

Boiling 4 min, 0 sec

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My motto: Drink the good tea!

Tea enthusiast, trying to keep up my cardio for the zombie apocalypse. I have come to accept that I am a western brewing black tea drinker as that is where my ‘tea heart’ lies. I started on loose leaf as a way to have my dessert and not suffer the caloric issues. Once I tried it, I was hooked.

I drink what I like, which is mostly China blacks, a few traditionally scented blacks and Earl Greys, plus a flavored tea here and there. I don’t mind spending a bit on premium varieties on occasion, but an expensive tea has to deliver. My favorite places to order are Harney & Sons and Upton Tea Imports. TeaVivre is great for Chinese tea.

My ratings are pretty subjective. If it falls under 70, I may not take the time to post about it unless I had something specific to say. If it is 70-80 I like it, but I will probably not rebuy. Favorites are over 80 and up, but sometimes the less expensive or more easily obtainable version of a similar taste will win out for my cupboard space.

Usual teapot steeping method: 24 oz teapot, 3 perfect scoops of tea (4 1/2 actual tsp), freshly boiled water, 4 minutes. Lightly sweetened.

Usual mug steeping method: 15 oz mug, 1.5 perfect scoops of tea (just over 2 actual tsp), freshly boiled water, 4 minutes. Lightly sweetened.

Usual pan method: 1 1/2 cups water, 2 perfect tsp chai (3 actual tsp). Simmer for 3 minutes. Add 2/3 cup skim milk. Simmer for 2 more minutes. Strain and sweeten.

Usual pitcher method:
5 or 6 Perfect Spoons of tea (this means about 7-9 actual tsp), freshly boiled water, brewed essentially double-strong in my 24 oz teapot for 4 minutes. Fill my Fiestaware Disc pitcher (about 60 oz.) halfway with ice. Add brewed double-strong tea to the pitcher. Stir it a little and enjoy. No additions.

(*SRP is my Sample/Stash Reduction Plan starting on April 12, 2012. I got so far, but just decided it was too fussy to keep track.)