Oh my goshy-wosh! Look here what I found in the sample basket coming from the big box of tea that Dax Pamela Dean sent me! I was looking through the basket earlier to see what was in there and oh look I still had some Tan Yang! Okay, so it’s not the Tan Yang, the Perfect one, but it’s close enough just for being called ‘Tan Yang.’
It seems to be a bit thinner and weaker than the Tan Yang I’m used to, but I’m not holding that against these leaves for two reasons. 1, they may have faded some in transport and wrapping and 2, there were less leaf than I think I would have used for a pot other wise. Having just dumped the whole lot in the pot I can’t know for exactly certain, but it seemed like a smaller amount. Probably should have given it a longer steeping time.
It is, however, still Tan Yang, and you can’t go wrong with Tan Yang. You can’t do it, it’s undoable. It just is. You may as well accept this as fact sooner or later. So I’ll just try to ignore the weakness and see what’s underneath while trying to imagine in my head the way it would have been if I’d had enough leaf for a customary brewing.
Gosh, it’s properly Tan Yang-y in the flavour though. All smooth and grainy and with a great big generous dash of cocoa in it as well. Yes, if this had been a customary brewing it would totally have held up to the Perfect Tan Yang Te Ji. Easily.
Say, have I ever mentioned what my favourite black tea is?
In other news, have a look at this picture. It’s not finished yet but it will be our Tea Making Station. Once we get some shelves up anyway (shelves have been shelved until further notice though. See what I did there? wink nudge ) https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/CQFw1eqXqcjlz5MH4bh3VunJOfe6_LFJWQwI2FsYNwU?feat=directlink