A not bittersweet but Very Bittersweet Sipdown!
The pound of Laoshan Black I purchased on 8-15-13 is now gone and will surely be missed!!! I hope there’s another 25% off sale sometime in the near future!
Laoshan Black Tea – 2013 Late spring into early summer harvest
http://verdanttea.com/teas/laoshan-black/
1 TB (5g) / 8 oz. / 212 / 3, 6, & 12 min. without sweeteners, milk or cream.
3, 6, & 12 minutes yields three fuller-bodied & more satisfying cups than the suggested 3, 4, 6, & 8 brewing times. With 4 steeps, the 3rd & 4th cups are much lighter in body, especially so for the 4th cup.
Fragrance: Potent Chocolate!
Dry leaf: Impressive long twisted wiry dark chocolate brown leaves – simply beautiful!
Liquor: Clear bright mahogany red
Aroma: Wonderful, very POTENT Chocolate!
Infused Leaf: Greenish brown long whole leaves
Body: Full-bodied, but not as robust as a Mangalam Second Flush FTGFOP1 Assam or a Premium Keemun.
Impression: I’ve been enjoying multiple cups of the Laoshan Black this week. The understated chocolate/barley flavor is very well balanced and quite unique! There’s no hint of a bittersweet or unsweetened cocoa flavor. L.B. has a natural delicate sweetness and is creamy smooth, mellow, and relaxing without any hint of bitterness or astringency. Very well done Verdant! It’s easy to see why this is such a highly-rated tea
Previous reviews:
- http://steepster.com/looseTman/posts/219441
- http://steepster.com/looseTman/posts/215148
- http://steepster.com/looseTman/posts/191679
Method:
RO water re-mineralized with an Aptera filter http://steepster.com/teas/teaware/39532-puregen-aptera-alkamag-water-filter
http://steepster.com/teas/teaware/37731-my-weigh-durascale-d2-660-digital-scale
Brewed western-style conveniently in a tempered tea mug with a brew basket http://steepster.com/teaware/royal-albert/45581-old-country-roses-afternoontea-mugs
http://steepster.com/teas/teaware/29177-finum-brewing-basket
http://steepster.com/teaware/bonavita/39130-1-liter-variable-temperature-digital-electric-gooseneck-kettle
http://steepster.com/teaware/teavana/39312-perfect-preset-tea-timer
Flavors: Chocolate, Creamy, Roasted Barley
Preparation
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Comments
I love this one. Great review, too!
Thanks!
Sadly I think the 2014 autumn harvest has less chocolate notes and more grain. I still enjoy it quite a bit, but it doesn’t have quite the balance that this version did. I’m enjoying the 2013 harvest vicariously through you with this tasting note. :)
Perhaps the difference Spring vs. Autumn? I’m glad you enjoyed today’s Spring LB! ;-}
I love this one. Great review, too!
Thanks!
Sadly I think the 2014 autumn harvest has less chocolate notes and more grain. I still enjoy it quite a bit, but it doesn’t have quite the balance that this version did. I’m enjoying the 2013 harvest vicariously through you with this tasting note. :)
Perhaps the difference Spring vs. Autumn? I’m glad you enjoyed today’s Spring LB! ;-}