TB05: Mincing Lane Breakfast Blend

I tried my sample this morning and confirmed my impression that the “way into” Yunnan for me is drinking it blended with other varieties (in this case, Assam). The peaty, fuel-source quality was subdued, and gave the blend a warming effect that I appreciated on this unseasonably cold, wet and windy morning … sort of like pouring a half-shot of Laphroaig into a pot of tea.:)

1/22/14 Morning pot before travelling. 3g/6oz/212F/5min. Milk and sugar. Happy with this tea as always.

Drinking this and Leadenhall (an Assam & Ceylon) side by side and at first I definitely preferred this, smoother, less brisk, drinking back and forth definitely brings out the spice. I knew the husband would like this one better because of the Yunnan, even if he didn’t know. I insisted on adding a sample to our order and had to coerce him into trying a sip of each tonight (he’s so resistant to being educated). I suppose he just wants to enjoy a cuppa, which I understand and respect, just not quite enough to get him to play a guessing game first. Anywho it did end up being his preference of the two and he asked for a second steep, this time with milk and sugar. It’s good, but there’s something in the Leadenhall that I like.

I was in the mood for something full bodied and a little smoky, and this fit the bill. I’m getting less wine this time, but it’s still there and very nice. I wonder if preparing it with filtered water is making the difference? I have one serving left – this will certainly be reordered!

I prefer for my morning tea to be strong. I have a few favorites, but many breakfast blends are what I would consider to be rather timid brews. Not this one! The flavor is strong and malty, with a hint of smoke that dissipates as the tea cools. Assam is my favorite tea, but I have not been in love with Yunnan. It’s lovely with the assam – I get the nice smoke and sweetness without the earthy taste that has made me uncertain about Yunnans. I was doubtful about the 5 minute steeping time recommended by Upton, but it was perfect. There is no bitterness, and I doubt the tea could have achieved this amount of flavor with a shorter steeping. This may make my cut for breakfast teas!

Fast on the heels of my post about weak two-cup brewing (http://steepster.com/discuss/5563-riddle-me-this-why-does-1-cup-always-taste-better-than-2), I tried brewing three cupweight of this tea in 12 oz water in my 2-cup teapot. Tea came out on the strong side but not at all bitter or tannic, and delightfully stout with milk added — almost as chewy as an East Frisian, but more subtle. If they were classical singers, the Mincing Lane would be an interestingly wide-ranged supple baritone compared to the East Frisian’s firmly planted, deep bass. I noticed after the five minute brewtime that the water temperature had dropped to 151F. Does anyone else take the temperature of their tea just before drinking? (Surely there’s another tea nerd out there recording this variable….)

I am in love.

It’s strong but not pushy, subtly smokey and tannic in the manner of a elegant wine. It’s amazing with milk, a quality I appreciate.

I am so in love.

This brews up to a beautiful deep mahogany-amber color. My roommate saw my glass and said “That’s how a tea should look!” It’s a good combination of malty Assam and tangy and floral Yunnan flavors. It’s not bitter at all and the taste lingers nicely on the tongue. It’s much more “clean” tasting than just a plain Assam.

A strong, black tea—a blend of Assam and Yunnan. There is an earthy, malty, and spicy flavor to it, most likely malt from the Assam and earthy and spicy from the Yunnan leaves. But the two varieties of tea blend well together and each add their own flavors to the mix. It’s interesting that I can taste both the Assam and the Yunnan as separate flavors within the tea as I concentrate of its flavor. Overall a very enjoyable, strong tea that I am glad I purchased!

This cup brews up nice and smooth, I taste mostly the Yunnan in the blend. Maybe there is a hint of metallic caramel aftertaste from the Assam (now called Awesome in my head thanks to a recent tasting note from AJ, lol). The flavors are sweeter and nutty as it cools, this seems like a good candidate for iced tea or an afternoon pick me up. My typical Yunnan/Awesome on the fly mix has more of a bite to it from the Assam so this very smooth tea is a bit bland in comparison.
I enjoyed the cup, but its not something I need in my cupboard.