I wanted something this morning that I knew I liked. Something I knew was among the things I liked best in the black tea department, without being an Earl Grey, but still being breakfasty.
It seems I have multiple canisters of this that have never been opened. I was clearly hoarding this tea. I have at least two of the 4 oz size and one that is in a smaller copper colored tin. I think I bought the small one when the large ones weren’t available. And I bought two of the large ones when they were available because I was afraid they wouldn’t be available again.
Anyway, I should drink this tea. Carpe diem and all that. So I cracked opened the small copper tin. Cute tin, but so small I can’t see reusing it for tea. Paperclips maybe.
I am also hoping that this is the same thing Samovar is still selling now under the name English Breakfast Black.
Having now had many, many more breakfast blends than when I first tasted this, I feel comfortable bumping up the rating. It’s definitely among my favorites. The caramel-like aftertaste is pretty special.
The Samovar Yunnan blends in particular (though some others have this quality as well) have a quality that I adore, and that I also find in certain Zinfandels that I adore (one from Sobon Estates, one from Cline) which is what I call malty, a full bodied sweet and multi-layered note. In the wines, its grape-y sweet and in the teas it’s more brown sugary sweet, but it’s a common thread and pretty much assures I’ll like whatever it is.
I may bump this up further over time. I have a hard time rating once I get over 90, but it’s definitely over 90.
Flavors: Brown Sugar, Caramel, Malt, Molasses
