429 Tasting Notes
I just love this tea. Its robust, brisk, and chewy. I just returned from the Dr. and I have strep throat. So, I’m going to drink tea and rest. I’ll be back when I feel better which I hope is soon. So everyone drink tea and prosper.
Preparation
I’m sorry to hear that. I got strep when I taught 3rd grade and it was completely miserable. Hope you feel better soon!
Feel better soon!!!!
Ugh, strep is painful. Feel better!
Ouch! Get well soon, Dan!!
I included River Shannon in my Upton sample order that I placed yesterday. It’s composed entirely of Assams, all candidates to fill the slot soon to be vacated by my Hattiali Assam (which Upton no longer carries). I’ll be “interviewing” them one by one until I find the one that makes me look forward to getting out of bed in the morning.
The liquor sure is dense and black, it looks like coffee. The smell and taste is very earthy. It is very mellow and soothing to sip. It leaves a very clean aftertaste. The directions said to steep for 6-7 minutes but I never follow directions. I actually steeped for 30 seconds and discarded the liquid and then steeped for 4 minutes. I am really enjoying this tea, its making me want to try other pu-erh which is a good thing. I’m not sure how many times I can steep this but I’m going to find out. Excellent tea.
3g/8oz
Preparation
Second steep is going great. There is plenty of earthy taste and aroma still left in this tea. Tea is still dense and black.
Third steep is just as earthy and tasty as the second. Time to stop now. three is enough.
Adding this to my list…
Dan, I have to thank you for saving me time and money — you’ve been trying so many kinds of tea that are on my to-sample list (Himalayan, Java, Pu-Erh, etc.)! You’re giving me a good sense of which ones might capture my fancy and which I can safely pass by.
Usually I don’t like Darjeeling teas. While this is actually not one it still has some of the same nuances. The tea steeps up a golden color and has a slightly vegetal scent. The tea has a mellow clean taste and a dry finish like a wine. A nice tea for sitting and relaxing in the afternoon.
Preparation
This tea brews up to a bright copper color. The taste really surprised me. I was expecting a robust tea and what I got was a mellow, brisk tea with floral notes. I would consider this an afternoon tea. I’m not getting any bitterness or astringency from this tea. I do get a dry feeling in the mouth after drinking. A nice relaxing tea.
Preparation
After a 4 minute steep, this tea is really not as powerful as suggested. It is a very nice inexpensive cup of tea. It is a mild mellow afternoon tea with no bitterness or astringency IMHO. It has a light malty smell with a light fruity taste. I prefer stronger teas so while this is a nice cup, it just is not my cup.
Preparation
This is a very good cup of Kenyan tea. The only tea I have to compare this with is Lifeboat tea. This tea is much more refined as I do get notes of fruit and roses. As it is a CTC tea, 2 minutes gets you a good quick cup. This tea is brisk and robust with no bitterness and only slight astringency. This is another tea I will reorder in a larger size. I’m no expert on African teas, but I know what I like. I like this one.
Preparation
I love assam and yunnan teas. This is a mix of the two and yes I love it. This tea is mellow and smooth, no bitterness or astringency that I can find. It has a wine like quality to it. I wish I could find the notes that others have found with this tea, I’m looking, but I can’t. I don’t think my taste buds are that refined as yet. Too much espresso in earlier years I expect. Next time I order this tea it won’t be a sample. I do have assam and yunnan teas and I may try to mix them myself.
Preparation
At the price point this tea comes in at (5.80 for 250g) this is a fantastic tea. Its robust, brisk, and malty. It does have a slight bitterness and astringency but is still a great cup. I think it would make a great iced tea which I will try later on.
2.5g/8oz
Preparation
This is a nice mellow fruity assam tea. While its not as strong as some assams I have had its still great. I’m not sure I have ever meet an assam I didn’t like. This tea is brisk and somewhat robust but the mellowness and lack of bitterness makes a good breakfast or afternoon cup of tea.
2.5g/8oz
