100
drank Confucius by Mariage Frères
259 tasting notes

I’ve fallen in love with smoky teas;
Their ashy taste will always please.
The flavors are strong with no dearth
Of tar and of peat and of earth.

That’s me! I know that most people disagree with me, but smoke is my niche; my dream lover; my mystic muse. I went to France to obtain this—or really, I emailed to France. I also ordered a superb jelly and just had a most smoky afternoon snack: I felt as if I were in a Paris “une boite de nuit” with the smoke of Gitanes and Gauloises curling all about me. Let my calico cat stand in for Josephine Baker, and I’m flying “en avion de l’ame!”

Here’s the jelly, which I had with bread and un p’tit beurre:
«Tarry Souchong» tea jelly:

Created by the Mariage family in the 19th century, these collection of tea jellies, manufactured in the traditional way in copper pans, are a wonderful accompaniment to toast, brioches and scones. The fruit of this ancestral knowledge, this tea jelly, flavoured with a smoky Formosa tea, combines its subtlety with the splendour of the best teas."

I am utterly enthralled! The smoky teas that I adore are typically far less costly than the delicate whites and the carefully cultivated greens, so I am in luck. This is my moment of Tea Nirvana, of ecstasy that fills my being with a thousand pulses of pleasure.

Preparation
3 min, 30 sec
Rabs

Wonderful review! Your poem made me smile. I’ve only had one lapsang souchon so far, but I really really liked it – your note makes me want to continue down the smoky path.

Lori

Aha – I love this review and the poem!!

I ♥ NewYorkCiTEA

Great tealog! Love the poem!

TeaEqualsBliss

OMG! I LOVE this name of this tea! I wish I could get this brand locally or even semi locally but it’s a no-go for me…bummer…I WOULD LOVE TO TRY THIS TEA SOMEDAY! You have me soooooo intrigued!

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Comments

Rabs

Wonderful review! Your poem made me smile. I’ve only had one lapsang souchon so far, but I really really liked it – your note makes me want to continue down the smoky path.

Lori

Aha – I love this review and the poem!!

I ♥ NewYorkCiTEA

Great tealog! Love the poem!

TeaEqualsBliss

OMG! I LOVE this name of this tea! I wish I could get this brand locally or even semi locally but it’s a no-go for me…bummer…I WOULD LOVE TO TRY THIS TEA SOMEDAY! You have me soooooo intrigued!

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Profile

Bio

I really love big, bold, brash teas. Smokiness enthralls me. I don’t seem to do subtle.
I don’t do rooibos.

My rating system:
0-30:
Never again in a hundred million years

31-55: This tea probably has some redeeming qualities but I won’t would not seek it out again.

56-70:
Shows some promise but also has a fundamental flaw. I probably owe these a second taste but am unmotivated.

71-80:
Good with at least one strong quality; I probably would not buy it but would drink it cheerfully.

81-90: Worthy contenders; they might be ranked 100 on somebody’s else’s scale. I like them a lot but have not fallen in love. Will probably buy and use.

91-95: These are the true loves, the chosen ones, the ones I dream about and crave. Unless they are in a limited edition—la! how you tease me!—I will always keep in my cupboard.

96-100: I cannot be separated from these teas and would develop a panic attack if I were to run out.
-

“She is too fond of books and it has turned her brain.”

Elderly dowager. Quintessential cat lady.

Tea which must be in stock always:

Black Dragon LS by Upton Teas: My choice every morning.

Florence & Lapsang Souchong by Harney & Sons

a good Gen Maicha

Samovar: Russian Blend, Maiden’s Ecstasy, Ryokucha

Mariage Frères: Confucious, Vivaldi, Eros, Aida, Marco Polo

American Tea Room: Brioche

Leland Teas: Bogart

Life in Teacup:
An Xi Tie Guan Yin Grade II modern green style & also Charcoal Style

Location

In the midst of the middle of the heart of nowhere in particular.

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