Imperial Breakfast Summer Blend

This is SO SO SO SO Good!!!
Now THIS is what I’m talking about!
Chocolate
Malt
Caramel
Vanilla
Cinnamon but only ever so slightly
Creamy
DREAMY!!!!
Yes in fact I do get all these flavor elements and what a lovely wonderful much needed grounding tea right now!
Everyone’s schedule in this house is chaotic with exception of mine so I am the one doing backflips to accommodate everyone else after 10 years of being the only one working in the house and everyone accommodating ME lol
Its nice to have more income indeed and wonderful WONDERFUL that my daughter is working not one but TWO jobs September 31 of last year will be a YEAR since her neurosurgery!!
Amazing I am proud and grateful!
Still OMG make the noise STOP!!!!
LOL
everyone is bouncing off the walls and I am needing much more grounding, center, and focus to do MY work which is being fit into when I can get it done.
SO with that said – OH YES bring it on – THIS is the perfect tea for this. I am glad I got a sampler and now I am off to get a BUNCH of this!

I’m Back! Hi my Friends!

I’ve been very, very sick the past few days with a violent allergic reaction to a handful of dried peas.
This was something like being seasick and having the flu and a migraine all at the same time.
Today is the first time I’ve been able to eat anything or drink tea.
Hooray for Tea!
Very carefully, I chose a tea that was not flavored with anything that would make me turn green since I’m still a little queezy.
A good malty tea with warm chocolate and caramel tone would go down well and Puer would be good for my stomach also.
I’ve had the past version of the Breakfast Blend as a sample, but not the Imperial Breakfast Summer Blend. I had ordered the tasting set of Alchemy Blends which arrived today (great timing).

This afternoon, I prepared a 24oz pot of tea. I was so ready, you have no idea how much I had missed tea for 2 days. I chose Western Style brewing so that I could continue with multiple steepings for soothing my stomach throughout the afternoon and to rehydrate myself.

Steep time 1min. Color of liquor light golden honey brown.

The tea was malty and naturally cocoa cinnamon with good body. The richness was what I wanted…a real tea hug. I can’t explain it better than that. I love this tea flavor. Malty, caramelly, cocoa rich tea makes me do a bad, bad thing.
I have an addiction!
When I run into a very good malty tea, I go to my secret stash of ginger cookies and take a few…
and slowly break off pieces of cookie and eat it crumb by sweet spicy crumb while drinking the malty cocoa, creamy tea.
I can’t explain the sensual goodness…the delight in this combination…of unsweetened tea…that blends in the mouth with the sweet of the ginger cookie somehow enhancing the flavor of the tea. Oh My Goodness! Absolutely sensational!

So, yes…ok…I went for it and had the cookies and tea and I came alive again! (Here I should insert organ music like in the Phantom of the Opera…She’s Alive!)…The tea was…Delicious!

I’ve conversed with a few people lately about what Puer would be good for evey day use and this is one tea that I recommend because the Puer is mixed with other tea’s as a blend. This is such a delicious tea, a perfect way to begin the day and a wonderful tea to have as an afternoon stress reducer.

I’m back! (Not in the horror movie sense of the phrase) ; )

As is the norm for me, because I can’t remember from nose to mouth, I placed a Verdant Tea order and promptly forgot about what three quarters of it was. Then I saw TerriHarpLady post about this one and hoped that it would be in there. And it was! How excellent!

On the paper it sounds like an extremely interesting blend and not a single ingredient like your average breakfast blends. No Assam, no Ceylon, no Keemun. Is it even possible to create something breakfast-y without those three? Yes. Yes it is, apparently. Instead a mixture of the Laoshan Black (which I lurve) and some Jin Jun Mei, which Spoonvonstup introduced me to (although I preferred the Fujian ones, but really… who’s surprised by that?), and then some Da Hong Pao and some Silver Needle and some pu’erh to fill out and accentuate and what have you. I mean seriously! I’m not surprised that it turned out that I did order some of this. I’m highly surprised that I couldn’t remember doing so, because really! O.O I sounds like the sort of thing I’d remember…

The leaf smelled wonderfully grainy, and there were some Yunnan-y notes in there, but none of the ones that I don’t like. When I was pouring it after steeping (still from the stupid pot and over the sink, WHEN OH WHEN will my new Roy Kirkham china arrive???) I got a faceful of something thick, sweet and grainy. It’s really hard to describe this aroma as anything other than thick. It smells like something that really ought to be tangible at first. After the cup has settled down a bit, it becomes less so and actual notes start to seep out.

My first thought is dulce de leche. And LOTS of it! Underneath that something chocolate-y and something cinnamon-y an just a smidge of smoke, which weirdly manages to somehow not be a top note. blink I don’t get that bit. Smoke has always been a top note for me. Always! Curious.

This peculiarity is fixed in the flavour, though, where the smidge of smoke is restored to its rightful place at the top. And all is again right with the world. That note is immediately followed by the chocolate, cinnamon, dulce de leche combination, which lasts for the entire sip and then goes straight to the aftertaste, which, to my surprise, is indeed with a bit of vanilla to it. I wasn’t actually expecting that. Whenever I see vanilla (and to some degree also caramel) described as a naturally occurring flavour in something, I can never seem to find any, so I’ve stopped expecting it. Maybe it has to do with my obsession with finding the perfect vanilla flavoured black?

It’s not until after I’ve swallowed that I realise something is missing. Where exactly was the body in this? Where was that grain and malt and stuff that I picked up from the dry leaf? Where did that go? Laoshan Black and Jin Jun Mei are both teas with pretty assertive and strong flavours, so… where did they go? It’s like all their top notes just banded together, ganged up on the rest of the notes and locked them in a cellar somewhere. I can’t find even a hint of grain in this. How peculiar!

And yet… And yet, if you really could take the body notes out of the equation all together, I don’t think you would actually end up with this result. They are there, I just can’t taste them because they are the stuff that holds all the rest together in a united front. Without them, it would probably just be something that tasted layered and somewhat thin. They are there. They are important notes. They’re just working behind the scenes on this one.

I apologise for that last be becoming a little odd. Blame it on my having acquired some sicks somewhere, it seems. I feel all ‘W and F’, as the father in law says (Weak & Feeble).

‘Peculiar’ seems to be the keyword here. What an all round peculiar tea. Peculiar, but living up to my initial expectations completely and utterly. Auggy, there will definitely be a share of this in your care package. I’m very much looking forward to what you think about it.

After David’s MARVY Surprise Yesterday of a Karate Chop to the Taste Buds – I decided to try this one out to begin my day! I’m on my 2nd cup already and I’m really liking this!

A blend of Black, Oolong, Pu-erh, and White teas…I’m game!

I can totally taste individually and as a harmonious combo of the Black, Oolong, and Pu-erh. The white is slightly noted in the background, but not overly so. This is amazingly creative and the loose leaf ratios of each are done awesomely – in my opinion.

I haven’t been sleeping well the last several weeks. It’s my dogs. Mostly the one…Riley…he wakes me up at 3 – not sure what changed – he never has done this prior to a few weeks ago. I’m a Night Owl…I usually get settled in around midnight or 1. With Riley waking me up at 3…that isn’t fun…on top of that DH gets up for work at 3:30-ish and leaves shortly after 4. My alarm is set for 5:55 but I haven’t been making it that long lately. Riley either wants water, has to pee, wants to eat (he’s a piggie), or just wants to lay on the sofa. And that’s where I end up…on the sofa. Tremendous.

This morning in addition to lack of sleep Suzie (the other dog) bolted out of a dead sleep on the sofa and lunged at Riley – which I refer to as the “Bitch Attack”…I jump off the sofa and had to pry them off each other. 99.9% of the time these two dogs LOVE each other…but when the “Queen of the Castle” is in a dead sleep and the other one is too close to her she sometimes freaks.

So while this was happening…I could feel various tendons and muscles ripping in my neck, shoulder, and back. OYE.

So…yes…long story and way too much info…I totally needed a special tea to help me start my day!

This is IT!!!

This is certainly on the verge of a Karate Chop AKA Ninja Tea but not as in-your-face as the other GEM from yesterday. Perhaps I will refer to this one as The Round-House Kick :)

Malty-Chocolaty notes first and foremost are overly welcome and appreciated.

There are some cinnamon powdery hints throughout (even more-so in the 2nd infusion)

It has some odd but lovely creamy flavors that move like a football-stadium-crowd-wave throughout the sip.

In the first infusion – not really in the 2nd – I could taste reminiscent flavors of wet noodles as well. Also in the 1st infusion there was a completely different texture than in the 2nd infusion. It was somewhat grainy…much like a Gluten-Free Pasta Alternative or something. I found this very different, interesting, and likable.

This is a real work of art! Another wonderful offering from David and Verdant!!!!

oh yes, this is fabulous! love the cinnamon and freshwater notes. Reminds me of Keemum, or Golden Monkey.
Rating: 90
There are drum beats pulsing in my head at the moment so will write more later. Tylenol… please work your magic!

Ohhh this is lovely! I missed out on the original Imperial Breakfast, but I love Laoshan Black, Wild Picked Yunnan Jin Jun Mei and Big Red Robe and will be trying the Aged Silver Needle and Willow Grove later today. I’m greeted first by light silvery chocolate sweetness, yes definitely the Laoshan (also can’t wait to try the new harvest of it by itself) and maybe some sweet sparkling notes from the shu. Then it turns all warm and sunny, liquid gold, a bit buttery with a dash of cinnamon and black pepper, ah the taste of Yunnan. Then back comes the chocolate with a stoutness this time (Big Red Robe) and then all those flavors meld and round each other out and I find my cup is empty with all the flavors lingering on my palate and that was just one five second steep.

Edit: Have yet to brew this western style for the husband, but drinking this morning the first infusion is like eating cocoa butter, not that I’ve ever ate cocoa butter mind you, but this is what it reminds me of. Second infusion is like dipping bits of dark rye bread into this cocoa butter and the third is more like the bread itself. While I prefer the first and second, it is a lovely gradual way to greet the day. There shall be much rejoicing with the Autumn Blend is made ;)

This summer blend is true to its name! Sitting on my couch with of cup of this sweet nectar, watching the morning sun rays radiate a gentle morning summer heat. Hearing the birds (there are gorgeous blue jays around my area! I have never seen one up close until we moved to Halifax). It’s all part of the same experience – it’s all here in my cup!

The first thing I notice with this tea is a caramel note – it’s in the colour, taste and smell. There’s a lightness to this tea – in the texture and way it fills you mouth – not the flavour! The flavour is full and intoxicating. What I love about this tea is how it’s relaxing yet invigorating at the same time. It’s not a kick in the pants – but it drags me awake just the same.

J’adore this blend. The Big Red Robe and Willow Grove puerh add a touch of earthiness that doesn’t overpower at all – it’s running almost as an undercurrent to add movement and depth to the blend, while the touch of aged Silver Needle adds a brightness and a refreshing lightness to the sip that just jives so well with summer.

I haven’t even begun to touch the surface of how delicious this new, summery Imperial Breakfast is. I cannot wait to try it iced!

Inspired by Azzrian to re-visit this one this morning, I AM changing my rating as it is a nice blend. that being said, I think i prefer straight Laoshan Black. There’s an intensity that i find lacking in the blend that I adore in the straight tea. Anytime i drink Verdant teas though, I really am in awe of how wonderful tea can be when you take even just a few moments to savour the flavour and absorb what’s going on around you…to take a deep breath and that 30 second pause in our hectic days.

Finally getting around to a sample from Sil! Thanks for letting me try this one! (Backlog from Tuesday morning.)

The aroma is deliciously malty and cocoa-y, reminiscent of Laoshan Black (not exactly surprising, of course). The brew is quite light, and quite delicious! Primarily, I’m tasting the bready, malty, cocoa-y notes of the Laoshan Black, but it’s definitely a lighter on these notes than if it was straight Laoshan Black. I can’t really identify much else, though. The silky-smooth, thick texture of the tea is also quite appealing.

The second infusion (2 min at ~96C) is a bit sweeter and still cocoa-y and light, although I’m catching just a bit of astringency at the end. However, this is still a cup that I think I could drink quite happily in the morning – neither my stomach nor tastebuds seem to like astringent or bitter teas in the morning, so this would be perfect! Perhaps I’ll get to a third infusion tomorrow – I feel like the leaves definitely aren’t done yet.

Oh wow… from the aroma of the dry leaves I was expecting this to taste a lot like the Laoshan black, but it’s much richer and smokier – maybe that’s the pu’er, or the Big Red Robe? I don’t know, but I like it. I can taste the oolong for sure, but not a lot of caramel or vanilla on the first steep; on the second the caramel started coming out, and the oolong is still prominent. I don’t know my pu’ers well enough to pull out either of those flavors. There is a solid cocoa flavor, thanks to the Laoshan.

This has a stronger flavor than the two straight black teas I’ve had from Verdant (Laoshan and Golden Fleece), which I like. As a breakfast tea, it certainly makes me more willing to face the day, if it means getting more tea like this!

On steep 10 or so, I found this getting unexpectedly creamy. I hadn’t noticed any cinnamon in the flavor, but my mouth is convinced I’m drinking a light chai. Nifty!

gongfu style, 3g leaf to 3.5oz water, steeps starting ~5 seconds

This is the best breakfast blend I’ve ever had however, I’m not sure if I like it. The tea quality is excellent and it tastes like pasta (to me) I’m just not sure if it’s my thing :D I had this with milk :D

As a prelude to this review, I’d like to say that I’m not rating teas at this time, due to my allergies. However, I’m still enjoying them!

As a further prelude, I’d like to thank Bonnie, who we all love, for sending me my first tea trade!! She was very generous, & this is the 1st tea I’m sampling from her offerings. Thanks Bonnie, you’re awesome!

I poured the sample into a small bowl so that I could look. It’s a beautiful blend of teas, including 2 of my newest favorites (Jin Jun Mei & Laoshan Black). The aroma is of the earth: Minerals & Chocolate.

I brewed all 5 steepings, back to back, western style: 2 t of tea, 1 minute first cup, adding 10 sec to each additional cup. I’m sitting here, comparing sips… My son just walked past, looked at the 5 cups lined up in front of me on the table, rolled his eyes, & walked away shaking his head.

cup #1: sweet, vanilla malt scented, very smooth.
cup #2 is my favorite, exhibiting the best of the chocolaty malty tones
cup #3 creamy, light caramel rising.
cup #4 the flavors are starting to fade, as the astringency rises.
cup #5 more astringent, I didn’t finish this one.

I’m happy to say that I ordered some of this beautifully balanced morning blend the other day, & I’m looking forward to enjoying it again…and again!

I should have done a full review before I ran out. This is a blend which includes Verdant’s beloved Laoshan black, along with Willow Grove pu’er,Big Red Robe, and some others. My notes the last time I had it said that it was outstanding. I brewed it Western, rather than gongfu. Even without sweetener (which for me is unusual), I enjoyed this a lot. Brewed 3 gms/8 oz water, 1 minute for the 1st steep and got 5 steepings. This was limited edition, but if David has a similar blend next summer, it’s definitely worth trying.

I am enjoying this very much this morning. The dry leaves smell decadent- dark chocolate, and creamy. The taste isn’t nearly what I was expecting from the smell of the leaves, but it is still quite good. The chocolate is there, and it’s bright. Usually when I find a beverage bright, that’s a bad thing; my experience tasting bright coffee usually means acidic and astringent, blah. But this is smooth. Is there such a thing as a ‘happy’ note in tea? This tea has it! This has been brilliantly blended.
2 tsp leaves per cup.