Write a tea journal, see what others are drinking and get recommendations from people you trust. Sign Up or Learn More
Black Tea by Upton Tea Imports
South China black tea with a bold leaf reminiscent of Keemun, but with its own uniquely interesting flavor.
I like this one has a tobacco-like sweetness with caramel and maltyness and a little astringency, it’s very good it just makes think of tobacco.
This is a better review on my blog :)
http://toadsteablog.blogspot.com/2012/11/china-panyoang-congou-by-upton-tea.html
Aww, I jinxed it. Steepster’s back to running slower than ever for me. :P
This is yet another sample from SimplyJenW. I am so grateful for this package because now I can try a lot of these Chinese blacks I am interested in without falling down the rabbit hole of tea orders. I’m glad this one was in the package because I’d like to try a basic Panyang Congou that isn’t supposed to be special grade or select and see how it goes.
The dry leaf on this one also reminds me of my past life as a horsewoman, but it reminds me of the scent of rich alfalfa hay instead of molasses grain (like the Tan Yang Te Ji from Teaspring did). When steeped, however, the scent has more notes of cocoa popping out, with a bit of that dark molasses in the background. It smells really tasty! I like the notes of molasses, malt, grains and unsweetened cocoa that I am getting from this cup, but it also has a bit of harshness, almost bitterness to it as well. I am very sensative to these things, after all. I’m wondering if a slightly cooler steep time would take it away, or whether it’s just a kind of boldness that is inherant to the tea (very possible). It’s probably just my expensive tastes telling me that I want to be drinking a high-grade version… :P
Day 3 of SimplyJenW’s China black palate training course, of sorts:
I have about 11 samples, and I am sure it will take longer than 11 days to get through them. I decided to try one of the value teas today.
This one is a steal at under $5 for 125g. I like it so much better than the last two I tried, which I consider to be in the mid to high range for price. Is it possible that there is one area of my life where I am easy to please? Smooth, sweet, cocoa notes, no bitterness, and inexpensive. This one tastes like Upton’s Rose Congou without the rose. It is a little sweeter than Harney’s Panyang Congou, and more in line with the taste of Fujian Baroque from Adagio. The leaves are longer and thinner than the Harney’s and they are longer, thinner, and drier looking than the Adagio. I could definitely see myself purchasing this one once the collection of blacks diminishes a little….Or maybe just the next time I order from Upton!
I couldn’t resist breaking into my just-delivered (to my office) Upton order and making a cup of this one with my new Finum brewing basket. The first impression I got was honey, loud and clear, even though I had not added honey or any other sweetener. That honeyed note is staying with me as I drink it, and being joined by a tobacco-y quality that I’m finding quite seductive. I was hoping this might fill the “tasty, affordable everyday tea” niche, and I think it will do so nicely!
When I first drank this congou I was shocked by its mustiness. There’s a certain funkiness to it that will definitely scare off the Earl Grey crowd. Yet it’s grown on me in the seven months that I’ve been steeping it, and I hope that Upton will get new stock before my (wonderfully affordable) 125g bag goes empty. The dry leaf smells sweetly of plum and wood, and steeps up a deep chocolate (in a white mug) or amber (in a glass) liquor.
The liquor has a velvety texture, and gives off a slight sweetness that’s countered by a nice tartness, creating an overall fruity impression, though it’s still fairly dry. The aromatics I can identify: pickled plum, pleasant mulch/forest wetness, and some sort of brown root-based Korean traditional medicine whose name escapes me.
This tea has a slightly sweet taste and is very similar to Keemun. I consider it a mild tea with a little astringency. There is a fruity note to it but I can’t place it. The tea leaves my mouth dry after drinking. I received a lot of samples from Upton Tea but this is not one of my favorites. I will experiment some with the variables and see what I end up with.
I noticed flavors of, sequentially: honey, preserved plum, tobacco, and slight smokiness. It’s sweet even for a Chinese black. I’m betting it would blend beautifully with a Yunnan. Great value, too—it will probably become a staple of my teachest.
