Hide

Welcome to Steepster, an online tea community.

Write a tea journal, see what others are drinking and get recommendations from people you trust. or Learn More

Keemun Black Tiger from Imperial Teas of Lincoln

Steepster Score 2 Ratings Rate This Tea

81/100

Keemun Black Tiger

Black Tea by Imperial Teas of Lincoln

This very rare tea is grown organically in the Qimen, or Keemun county of China’s Anhui Province. It is grown on a variety of bush that in early spring sprouts long, tender golden buds. It is one of China’s famous ‘Gongfu’ teas, which means made with great skill. The resulting tea is wonderfully smooth with a honeysweet, orchid aroma and gentle, sweet chocolate, malty tones with hints of rose. The leaves have a lovely black bloom and the infusion is a clear and brilliant red.

2 Tasting Notes

alaudacorax
82

I’ve noticed that I’ve sometimes come to appreciate a tea more after I have drunk it a few times and I’ve come to the conclusion that, sometimes, my taste-buds have to ‘learn’ a new tea. This one is a case in point: at first I thought it was bland and boring, but now it’s become a current favourite.

In the packet, it’s one of those long, straggly teas: difficult to get the spoon into and, when you do, you get a miniature haystack on it and have to shake some off to get a typical spoonful – difficult to measure the amount I use.

The flavour has hints of chocolate and toffee, fresh, sweet hay (this especially noticeable in the aroma) and a smooth butteriness (or buttery smoothness – I mean a hint of butter that gives a definite element of smoothness to the flavour). To be a bit less specific, I’d describe it as a ‘mild and gentle’ sort of tea – but not bland – and very enjoyable.

ETA – I should have mentioned that I’m using a generous teaspoonful to a half-pint mug.

Mark A Williams
100

This is a go to tea for mellow moods. It’s not sweet in itself but has a chocolatey caramel aroma and smooth finish which makes it delicious at any time of day. I don’t drink it regularly, but that’s only because it’s quite exceptional.