Zhen Quo Super China Black

Sip down. The dry leaf is soft and fluffy. 2m steep w/ boiling water. The aroma coming out of the press is intoxicating. Ok, not literally, even though it has a bit of a hard drink aroma. It just smells really good. This is CTC which is typical of black tea but this is not typical black tea. This is very rich and malty. To my tastes this smooth tea has no sharp edges, meaning I don’t find it what I would call brisk, bitter, or astringent. It kind of reminds me of the one Yunnan I have had, with a hint of Darjeeling like wine notes without the bite, and baked yeasty bread, with a fruity aftertaste. My description does not do this justice. I find black tea promises so much and usually leaves me feeling meh. This is one of a handful of black teas that I think deliver on the promise. 2nd steep was as delicious as the first. Thank you again Ashmanra for this tea.

So I have decided that for me this is the perfect office tea. I like the tast both hot and cold. I like it with out any additives – no trips back top to the break room to grab sugar or milk. It is very forgiving if I forget and over steep.

I have been neglecting this tea and wanted to have a go at it this morning before heading out to the plant nursery. A Southern Season sells this spelled Zhen Quo but I have seen the very same tea sold under the name Zhen Qu, and the appearance is so distinctive that there is no doubt it is the same tea. What confuses me a bit is that most sites say it is from the Fujian (or Pan Yang) province, but there are several listings for Zhen Qu Yunnan, and I don’t know if that tea is the same or not.

I am drinking it plain and it is very smooth. I steeped longer than most people do, yet it isn’t bitter. There is the slightest – and I do mean slightest – astringency after you get through a half a cup or so, but not much. The aroma is lovely – honey and a hint of molasses, and a bit of unsweetened cocoa. The flavor leans more toward the honey side, but not with the rich, thick body and mouth-feel of Golden Monkey.

This was one of the first teas I took plain, and Sandy introduced me to it. Hi Sandy! By the way, Sandy, I saw my hubby smooching Sasha on the head last night! They were having some lovely-dovey time when he got home from work!

I haven’t had this one in a while and decided I had better drink it up before it gets too old! I plan to go to Southern Season again when Sandy gets home from New Zealand and I need to empty this tin so I will have an excuse to buy a fresh batch.

The leaves are black and gold, and the gold ones are the softest and fluffiest I have ever seen in any tea! The tea has light honey notes and a bit of cocoa or chocolate-y aroma. This is good plain or with just a touch of sugar. I resteeped once, as a cold, gray, and rainy day like this requires more than one pot of tea! This is hitting the spot after having had to go to a doctor’s appointment followed by grocery shopping and cooking a big pot of tomato rice soup…I am worn to a frazzle! I shall now quietly commune with my lovely cup(s) of tea!

Wonderful tea! I drink this one with no sweetener, no milk. This is one of my little luxury teas that I enjoy in the afternoon with a light snack like tea cookies or little eclairs.

Mmmmmm….your honey aroma and flavor grows on me more each time. A fine tea, to be enjoyed with eyes closed while you make yummy noises…..

Finally off my antibiotic that separated me from my beloved caffeinated teas! I broke the fast with this one – an excellent tea full of the fuzziest golden bits I have ever seen. Smells like you have poured a big glop of honey in it, but doesn’t taste like it. Just tastes GOOD! A little bit like Golden Monkey, and you can resteep the leaves!

Gotta love this one!