SimplyJenW

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Season's Pick China Black FOP - TP02 from Upton Tea Imports

SimplyJenW drank Season's Pick China Black FOP - TP02 by Upton Tea Imports

Bargain Basement Time-

Onto my cup #9. (I just have to thank Upton for having such a vast variety of teas for sampling! Huzzah!)
This one is probably the cheapest of the bunch. It is one of their Season’s Picks, so the minimum you can order other than a sample is 250g. But is it only $4.70 for 8.8 ounces of tea, or 53 cents an ounce! Yes, truly a bargain. To break that down even further, using the average of about 12 cups per ounce, we are talking about 4 cents a cup. When I make a pitcher of iced tea, I use about 6 tsp, so my whole pitcher is about a quarter. Now that is a refreshing number.

All of those numbers sound great, but how does it taste? Really, it is pretty good. I am positive it would beat Lipton easily for taste. There are no roasty, toasty, notes, or hints of chocolate, but it is a good solid, smooth tea. Upton describes it like a Keemun without any smokey notes. If I did not have about 20 varieties in my cupboard to make iced tea (meaning teas I bought and did not really care for them hot), it would be on my shopping list, because I do like this one hot, too. Maybe next season.

(Better go make something iced ASAP.)

2011-04-27 11:01:46 -0400

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3 min 30 sec

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SimplyJenW 2011-04-27 16:37:26 -0400

And my second steap was good!

Jim Marks 2011-04-28 09:46:06 -0400

It is when you start buying “cheap” but “serious” tea like this that you begin to realize just how HORRIBLE the stuff in tea bags really is.

You’re down to 4 cents a cup, and a Lipton bag wouldn’t taste as good? What does that tell you about the (literally) worthless powder they’re putting into those bags?

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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, traditionally scented blacks and Earl Greys, plus a few other flavored teas. 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.)