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drank Kenya Itumbe FBOPF-SP Black Tea by What-Cha
1548 tasting notes

I’m not well versed on the tea grading system for teas produced outside eastern Asia so I headed over to Wikipedia to figure out what FBOPF-SP signifies. The FBOPF either refers to Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings or Finest Broken Orange Pekoe Flowery. Given the leaf quality, I think FBOPF in this case refers to the latter. The SP I’m unsure about; I’m guessing Special.

Anyway, thanks to WE ARE CLOSED for sending this 2018 harvest my way. It’s a zippy black tea, with a tangy fruit punch-cherry-blood orange tone atop a mild to moderate maltiness. Best as an afternoon tea and most definitely not had on an empty stomach. More versatile than when it’s best had is its preparation. I’ve been pleased with using less leaf to create a lighter brew and more to create a robust, zesty cup. Along with leaf amount, steeping times and water temperature can be altered to achieve your desired taste without adding any substantial bitterness or astringency. It’s generally smooth but with a good bite that turns into a brown sugar returning sweetness in the throat.

This tea was a good accompaniment to a very late breakfast. Buckwheat waffles made with Strauss Greek yogurt, shredded carrot and warming spices, topped with pecan butter and dark maple syrup. I’ve cooked twice in one week after not having much appetite since all this Covid mess began. The other meal was sloppy joes and tater tots lol. My wonderful housemate has been doing all the feeding of this derk.

Flavors: Biting, Blood Orange, Brown Sugar, Cherry, Fruit Punch, Malt, Smooth, Tangy, Wood

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 0 sec 3 g 10 OZ / 300 ML
3 comments
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gmathis
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Either meal sounds delicious! These days, I don’t cook much; I assemble and reheat.

ashmanra
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Oooooh, those all sound good! And many thanks to housemate for feeding our derk!

White Antlers
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You know, I have zero recollection of this tea but it’s a delight to read your note and Martin’s, too.

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Comments

gmathis
Delete

Either meal sounds delicious! These days, I don’t cook much; I assemble and reheat.

ashmanra
Delete

Oooooh, those all sound good! And many thanks to housemate for feeding our derk!

White Antlers
Delete

You know, I have zero recollection of this tea but it’s a delight to read your note and Martin’s, too.

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This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. And thus I step away.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile. Terpene fiend.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, Nepal and Darjeeling. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possess off flavors/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s pu’er, I likely think it needs more age.

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California, USA

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