53
drank Kenya Milima by Harney & Sons
2816 tasting notes

Another sample from the Harney batch. Not really a favorite of mine – I steeped this for 4 minutes per the instructions of H & S. I fear this may have been too long. The website says this tea is light in body and a mellow brew. I am finding it to be fruity but quite astringent and with a bitter aftertaste. Reminiscent of a Ceylon to me and not an Assam.

I would like more of this to do some experiments on the steeping time but all I have is this one little pot and I won’t be getting more I suspect.

ScottTeaMan

I’ve never tried the Milima Estate, but I really like Kenyan teas. I’m curious as to how you prepared it?

TeaBrat

Steeped western style for 4 minutes with boiled water in a cast iron teapot.

ScottTeaMan

How many ounces is your teapot? Did you dump the entire sample in it?

TeaBrat

U know, I never bothered to check but I think it’s a 10 or 12 oz teapot. I did use the entire sample but that strategy has served me well for the other samples I tried of the same size.

ScottTeaMan

HHmmm……H & S sample are usually enough for 3 or 4 cups. Let’s say 3 good cups at 7 oz each, or 21 oz. Shorter steeps probably would have resulted in a nice experience, esp for a 12 oz teapot. I always start with shorter steeps, then adjust as necessary. Sometimes though my cups are too weak, say for White teas. For Black teas I like to do shorter steeps, usually 3 to 3.5 min.

Is your teapot a Tetsubin? I’ve been wanting a blue one of some kind. I would use it for green teas.

TeaBrat

yes it is a Tetsubin, I’ve had it for years and I love it. Recently I was told you should just use them for holding boiled water or the teapot will pick up the flavors of the last tea you used, I have not noticed much of a problem with that, but maybe using it for green tea only is a good idea.

ScottTeaMan

What shape/color is it?

TeaBrat

It is shaped kind of like this one but it’s dark green with maple leaves on it. I often think about buying another one. http://www.teavana.com/tea-products/teapots-teapot-sets/cast-iron-teapots/p/japanese-goldfish-cast-iron-teapot

ScottTeaMan

Someday I’ll get one. My fav color is blue, so I was looking for a blue Hira Arare with a hailstone pattern, or a blue moon (tsui) teapot

ScottTeaMan

yeah that looks nice

ScottTeaMan

Here’s a black 14 oz Hira Arare….perfect for me…….except I want a blue one:

http://www.necessiteas.com/storename/necessiteas/Image-10292925.aspx?

Here’s the Blue moon (Tsuki) shape I like:

http://www.holymtn.com/catalog/teapots-japanese-tetsubin-c-114_118/ebu-tsuki-tetsubin-0-55l-p-1143

ScottTeaMan

I should’ve gotten one a few yrs ago….they were at least $20 cheaper. I love Holy Mtn…..they have great tea, teaware, and here’s a nice Japanese Teacup I use for senchas mostly—Japanese greens.

http://www.holymtn.com/catalog/cups-gaiwans-japanese-ceramic-cups-c-121_122_172/sushi-cup-kakuzushi-hi-no-mai-p-958

I just love it. To see it and feel it and use it…..the picture doesn’t do it justice. Anywho I recommend Holymtn, plus they are in San Fran too! :))

TeaBrat

You should go for it, the prices will just keep getting higher and higher. I also have a matching trivet… :))

ScottTeaMan

if I don’t get one of those Tetsubins, I want something in a midnight blue, or dark green.

ScottTeaMan

I also like Tokoname teapots….there is something about Japanese teaware….I’m drawn to it.

ScottTeaMan

I’ll check back later. Comment or msg me if you want to talk more about this…Peace Amy. :))

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Comments

ScottTeaMan

I’ve never tried the Milima Estate, but I really like Kenyan teas. I’m curious as to how you prepared it?

TeaBrat

Steeped western style for 4 minutes with boiled water in a cast iron teapot.

ScottTeaMan

How many ounces is your teapot? Did you dump the entire sample in it?

TeaBrat

U know, I never bothered to check but I think it’s a 10 or 12 oz teapot. I did use the entire sample but that strategy has served me well for the other samples I tried of the same size.

ScottTeaMan

HHmmm……H & S sample are usually enough for 3 or 4 cups. Let’s say 3 good cups at 7 oz each, or 21 oz. Shorter steeps probably would have resulted in a nice experience, esp for a 12 oz teapot. I always start with shorter steeps, then adjust as necessary. Sometimes though my cups are too weak, say for White teas. For Black teas I like to do shorter steeps, usually 3 to 3.5 min.

Is your teapot a Tetsubin? I’ve been wanting a blue one of some kind. I would use it for green teas.

TeaBrat

yes it is a Tetsubin, I’ve had it for years and I love it. Recently I was told you should just use them for holding boiled water or the teapot will pick up the flavors of the last tea you used, I have not noticed much of a problem with that, but maybe using it for green tea only is a good idea.

ScottTeaMan

What shape/color is it?

TeaBrat

It is shaped kind of like this one but it’s dark green with maple leaves on it. I often think about buying another one. http://www.teavana.com/tea-products/teapots-teapot-sets/cast-iron-teapots/p/japanese-goldfish-cast-iron-teapot

ScottTeaMan

Someday I’ll get one. My fav color is blue, so I was looking for a blue Hira Arare with a hailstone pattern, or a blue moon (tsui) teapot

ScottTeaMan

yeah that looks nice

ScottTeaMan

Here’s a black 14 oz Hira Arare….perfect for me…….except I want a blue one:

http://www.necessiteas.com/storename/necessiteas/Image-10292925.aspx?

Here’s the Blue moon (Tsuki) shape I like:

http://www.holymtn.com/catalog/teapots-japanese-tetsubin-c-114_118/ebu-tsuki-tetsubin-0-55l-p-1143

ScottTeaMan

I should’ve gotten one a few yrs ago….they were at least $20 cheaper. I love Holy Mtn…..they have great tea, teaware, and here’s a nice Japanese Teacup I use for senchas mostly—Japanese greens.

http://www.holymtn.com/catalog/cups-gaiwans-japanese-ceramic-cups-c-121_122_172/sushi-cup-kakuzushi-hi-no-mai-p-958

I just love it. To see it and feel it and use it…..the picture doesn’t do it justice. Anywho I recommend Holymtn, plus they are in San Fran too! :))

TeaBrat

You should go for it, the prices will just keep getting higher and higher. I also have a matching trivet… :))

ScottTeaMan

if I don’t get one of those Tetsubins, I want something in a midnight blue, or dark green.

ScottTeaMan

I also like Tokoname teapots….there is something about Japanese teaware….I’m drawn to it.

ScottTeaMan

I’ll check back later. Comment or msg me if you want to talk more about this…Peace Amy. :))

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

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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, chai, 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

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