Hide

Welcome to Steepster, an online tea community.

Write a tea journal, see what others are drinking and get recommendations from people you trust. or Learn More

Hao Ya 'A' from Harney & Sons
78

Hmmm. I really haven’t been a huge fan of Keemuns in the past but I felt like I should try this sample again, plus I feel it’s good to broaden one’s horizons. When I look back on my tea tasting journey, I used to hate a lot of things which have recently grown on me.

This tea is very dark and I’m definitely getting the chocolate here. The aroma is a bit… interesting. Getting a bit of tobacco here, reminds me slightly of cigars and I’m also picking up on the smoke in the finish. It isn’t really a sweet kind of smoke like you might get with a lapsang, it’s more sturdy and earthy and as my cup cools I’m picking up on some bitterness so I’m going to try a shorter steep next time.

I know a lot of people love this one but I’m finding it a bit strong for me. I can definitely see why people put keemuns in breakfast blends, I think I might enjoy this more with a little something to help mellow it out. I definitely don’t hate it but I also don’t think it’s destined to become a favorite of mine.

People who liked this

Bonnie
Missy
ScottTeaMan
momo
gmathis
Dinosara
Alphakitty
PeppermintPlant
Tabby
Incendiare
CHAroma
Scott B
Azzrian
jason
Cheryl
K S
Joshua Smith
Kittenna
kOmpir
LiberTEAS
RachanaC (Rachel)-iHeartTeas
Ninavampi
Charles Thomas Draper
Invader Zim
Angrboda

Comments

ScottTeaMan
ScottTeaMan 2012-05-24 12:35:14 -0400

Don’t give up on it. :))

Amy oh
Amy oh 2012-05-24 12:45:50 -0400

I am nothing if not persistent! :-P

SimplyJenW
SimplyJenW 2012-05-24 13:47:35 -0400

It is so funny that you think this is strong and I have issue with the East Frisian. Do you add soy/almond milk to East Frisian?

Amy oh
Amy oh 2012-05-24 14:10:19 -0400

normally, yes but I don’t seem to like keemuns with soymilk…

Doug F
Doug F 2012-05-25 10:46:32 -0400

I’ve never tried a Hao Ya ‘A’ I hear they are wonderful, if you like Keemuns.

Amy oh
Amy oh 2012-05-25 19:25:59 -0400

Triumph – they are not my favorite for some reason but I suppose that’s ok. We can’t all love everything, :-P

ScottTeaMan
ScottTeaMan 2012-05-31 12:04:05 -0400

Amy, I think you would enjoy H & S Supreme Breakfast Blend. I remember it being a rather well balanced blend of Assam & Hao Ya B…….so you get some malt and some smoke. I really enjoyed it.

Amy oh
Amy oh 2012-05-31 12:07:51 -0400

I got a sample of their Supreme Breakfast with my last order so I suspect I’ll be trying it soon.

ScottTeaMan
ScottTeaMan 2012-05-31 12:19:20 -0400

I hope you enjoy it.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Profile

Bio

My profile pic is of a pink dahlia at Golden Gate Park.

Hobbies include: tea, making art, animals, vegan things, buddhism, nature, creativity, books, writing, cooking, meditation, yoga.

I am a fan of many different teas but my favorites are blacks and oolongs, also like darjeeling and pu-erh. I’n always learning and expanding my horizons!

Dislikes include: bergamot, jasmine, highly tannic or bitter teas, overly judgmental and bitter people. :)

Live in San Francisco, I’m a SINK (single income, no kids) and love the urban life, but traveling out to the middle of nowhere is always fun too.

I tend to not drink things I know I will hate so a lot of my tea ratings are on the higher side. Here’s my rating system, sorta

95-100 I love this tea and would like to keep it around

94-90 An excellent tea which I may or may not repurchase

89-80 Pretty good, above average

79-70 Acceptable

69-60 Mundane – Will probably drink it if I have it

59-50 Ick

49 and below Nasty

Location

San Frandisco

Website

http://sanfrantea.teatra.de

Following These People

Brett Floyd
Brett Floyd

Musician and avid te...

TeaEqualsBliss
TeaEqualsBliss

Near Vegan. Tea Lov...

Jenn
Jenn

I'm an animal loving...

RachanaC (Rachel)-iHeartTeas
RachanaC (Rachel)-iHeartTeas

A lover & provider o...

teabird
teabird

Some notes on rating...

Cofftea
Cofftea

*Are you a company o...

Ewa
Ewa

I'm a Pole who grew ...

LiberTEAS
LiberTEAS

I am obsessed with t...

EmyPouliche
EmyPouliche

Hi, I'm a tea lov...

Mercuryhime
Mercuryhime

I came from a tea dr...

Winter Salo
Winter Salo

I love tea, I love t...

Cherie C Davidson
Cherie C Davidson

I am an online write...

Erin Hurley
Erin Hurley

New to tea. I make a...

momo
momo

bears love tea

MaddHatter
MaddHatter

I love to read and w...

E Alexander Gerster
E Alexander Gerster

I have been drinking...

See More