SimplyJenW

206 Followers / 174 Following

Keemun Heng Ru Organic - ZK18 from Upton Tea Imports

SimplyJenW drank Keemun Heng Ru Organic - ZK18 by Upton Tea Imports

Tea of the morning……

I cheated. This was supposed to be Day 2 of my Tea Advent, but I needed to try it sooner. It had been lost in my sample stash until yesterday, and I really had been wanting to taste it weeks ago. In fact, I had already put another sample in my Upton shopping cart not remembering if I had actually bought it. Well, I am updating that sample in the virtual cart to a full size.

This tea is a lovely Keemun. I love that it is organic, but I would still drink it anyway. Also, the price is great at under $6 for 125g. The taste…..all a good basic Keemun should be, plus more. Slightly smokey, cocoa noted, and satisfying, but missing one component of the cheap stuff that kept bugging me. It was kind of an earthy flavor, now that I think of it….kind of like rich, humus soil would taste. Yep (I am from farm country IL). This one does not have that earthiness that I really did not like in the other. I do find this one slightly richer than Harney English Breakfast and more near the Fortum & Mason Keemun. However, the leaves are much thinner and probably slightly more broken than either of the two. The fineness of the leaves is kind of reminiscent of Upton’s Keemun Mao Feng-ZK98.

Steeped by the usual method.

2011-11-22 14:36:34 -0500

Boiling

4 min 0 sec

I Like This

12 likes

2 comments

People who liked this

Comments

ScottTeaMan 2011-11-22 15:18:55 -0500

I was actually eyeing this tea a few days ago. When their previous lot of this tea sold out (I think it was $7.40 for 125g), I was expecting a price increase. Thanks for your review. This will definitely be in my next Upton Tea order. :))

LadyLondonderry 2011-11-23 22:57:12 -0500

I had been looking at this one, too! Thanks for the review, Jen!

Profile

Bio

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.)