Black Currant Bai Mu Dan

Squeeeee! My 52teas order came in today, prompting squeals of joy, immediately followed by choice paralysis. Which do I try first!

I actually decided to go with this one first. (Decide? Not draw randomly? Moi? I know it’s weird, but I actually put some thought into it. Read on, true believers!) Reading people’s reviews of it is what basically put 52teas on the map for me, and made me realize that I would HAVE to order from them even though they do not do samples which is usually a huge turn off for me. >:|

I LOVE black currant, I have mentioned this before, but I’ve found black currant black teas to be largely disappointing. It just doesn’t fit properly, if that makes any sense. But white tea, white tea could be PERFECT. So, high hopes here!

I have to thank 52teas, because I don’t get to use the word redolent often, but when I opened the packet, that is the first thing I thought of. The leaves were redolent with the rich, overripe fragrance of currant. When I poured water over the tea, the fragrance intensified, but now I was smelling fresh currant. That’s right, this tea has power over TIME AND SPACE. Well, maybe just time.

So obviously, by the time I sit down to actually drink it, I am totally stoked. And you know what? This tea totally delivered. The black currant complements the white tea SO well, it’s like the two flavors were made to go together, and somehow even though the currant is very strong and present, it doesn’t overshadow the white tea. Instead, they work together to ROCK MY SOCKS OFF.

I have GOT to try this iced.

Okay, so I’m trying really hard not to toot my own horn here. I don’t want to ruffle any feathers. But you guys HAVE to try this. I know it’s not as out there as Buttered Cinnamon Raisin Toast or Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup, but this is DELICIOUS! I’m thinking we may have listed the ingredients incorrectly. (We’re supposed to list ingredients according to weight, so that whatever there is most of has to come first. Well, I think instead of “tea, black currants…” it should have been “black currants, tea”). We really put a lot of delicious black currants in this blend and our Bai Mu Dan is spectacular with it. Really, you should try it.

So, here I sit, trying to put off grading final exams. (Again.) I needed something light and decided that now was the moment to try my ValenTea from 52teas.

Black currants have a unique taste. I happen to like them a lot. They’re berryish, but with a deep, rich tartness to them. In the dry tea, the berries are visible and they smell so promising.

Steeped 175/3 min. The tea is a rich golden color and the smell is nice. Not as fresh as before, but still pleasant. The tea tastes very nice. I’m impressed with the berry flavor. It’s definitely a true black currant taste, not like blueberry at all. The aftertaste is slightly medicinal and I’m not certain where that’s coming from, but the tea is so flavorful that I’m already on my second cup. It’s a very nice flavor and a very nice tea. Perfect excuse for not grading final exams.

WOW!!! I did not expect this to taste like this. It is flavorful and reminds me of lightly candied fruits. Even though it isn’t a holiday tea per say I would say it would definitely work as a nice cuppa in winter. Will have to get some sometime.

Note: Frank can you please include steep times and temps on the labels again? I miss it.

I am new to black currants… this is only the second tea (or anything) I have had with black currants in it. I like it! Nice light white tea with a sweet fruity taste. I wish I had more in my sampler. I want to try this as an iced tea! I think I will resteep the leaves to try this iced.

Wow! This one is like a POP of grape- This has been a perfect tea for the hot summer days….

This tea smells awesome from the pouch, very juicy and tart. I was pleasantly surprised by this tea! Even though it is a white tea and therefore on the lighter side of the tea spectrum, the tea is quite flavorful and delicious. I am enjoying a big mug of this hot with just a tad of sweetener to bring out the fruity sweetness. I really think this tea would be AMAZING iced though! I don’t know if the tea will ever make it to cold temps though, it is so good as is hot! Another winner from 52teas!

Black currant is one of my favorite “everyday” tea flavors, so this was definitely a pleasant surprise to find in the 12 teas of Christmas set. I must admit, I’m just not a big fan of white tea. Maybe my palate just can’t appreciate the subtlety, or maybe I just enjoy black tea too much – I’m not a big fan of greens either. This was not bad, but the white tea I think is jut too “delicate” for me. I like the currant flavor, but I think I still prefer black tea over white. I could see this making excellent iced tea, though.

I brewed up a big hot mug of this last night. Used 4tsp to 16oz (per instructions). So many leaves! The leaves have such a large percentage of black currants mixed in with them, they smell so delicious! White tea was a good base for this blend, mellow and smooth and not overpowering the black currants. Delicious! Can’t wait to try this iced!

Dec. 19
This is a fruity white tea and my first black currant flavored one. Its a very nice tea and I liked it a lot although I thought it may be a little too fruity for my tastes.

I’ve never had currant before, but between this having a white tea as a base, and all the positive feedback I decided to try this out. The tea smells great, i’m sure it’s the currant smell.

The tea is very light with a hint of the currant. I like how the bai mu dan is the dominant flavor, even though the smell of the currant is so strong. I was worried that it might be a little bitter, since a lot of the teas ive had with berries in them have gotten bitter or sour really fast. But the flavor balance is really so good, i’m already halfway done with my cup! I’m loving it.

I don’t have a lot of experience with white teas. The preparation is just a little too fussy and the final product a bit too delicate. I followed the brewing recommendations carefully to give this tea a fair shot. I’m glad I did because I think it turned out perfectly. I really like this tea!

I’ve eaten black currants both raw and in all sorts of recipes. They presented rather strangely, but pleasantly, in this tea. Instead of a tart blueberry/cranberry, this tea has notes of grape and (wait for it) sake. Yes, I definitely taste and smell sake!

This is a really light and mild tea that you could drink all day. Its natural sweetness gets more prominent as the cup cools and you do begin to pick up a subtle aftertaste of the currant.

This is a delicious, subtle blend that works well with the white tea. I love black currant, and while white tea is usually off my list because of the caffeine, it’s minimal enough here that I’m sucking it up to finally try this blend. I must say, I’m tempted to steep this a bit longer next time in order to get the black currant taste to pop more (if that would even be the result)- I do feel like it’s a bit too pale for me to get super excited about in this steeping. It smells quite strong, but the taste is mild mild mild. I have faith though! I shall try this blend again, because that black currant, it tempts me….

This is pleasant enough as my before-bed cup. I don’t find it as puzzling as the other teas from my 52 Teas order. I loved the appearance of the leaves, and they brewed a very, very pale cup of tea. It was tasty but maybe a little too candy-sweet for me.

I LOVE black currant in teas. It’s my favorite in black. So this being paired with white tea intrigued me. I got it with the V-Day sampler.

At first, I didn’t know what to think. I had to kind of just sit back, and enjoy the tea. I would of loved more black currant! But with every review I write with black currant flavored teas, that’s my complaint, so nothing new. It is very delicately flavored. Stood up for 4 rebrews.

This reminds me of another tea called Brazilian Delight, which I prefer to this one. It just has more fruit, and the black currant was more pronounced. It’s sold by Todd and Holland, but I googled the ingredients and saw other places selling the exact tea.

I like this tea, but I would of enjoyed more fruit. Though more black currant would probably hide the actual tea flavor, which it nice and light. Very nice iced.

I have been looking at this tea in my cupboard and thinking I should give it a try. This is a very enjoyable tea that was great as a breakfast tea, however, I think it would be just as good for afternoon tea break. Thnak you Lori for sending me this sample.
I probably only have one more cup of this one and I will be very sad when it is gone.