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.
This is You :-D
Profile
Bio
Druid, artist, poet, mum, lover of tea, ritual and myth. I grew up on Celestial Seasons herbals but fell in love with straight loose leaf tea working at my local Teavana for a year. I am grateful for the introduction and the experience, but have moved on.
I see tea as an experience for the senses, I like to imagine tasting the land and the weather as well as the effect of sun, air, fire and the human hand. I have a soft spot for shu pu’er, yabao, scented oolongs, wuyi oolongs, taiwanese tea as well as smooth naturally sweet blacks, creamy greens and surprisingly complex whites.
I began ordering lots of samples from Upton to educate myself on different varieties of tea we didn’t have at work and have fallen head over heels for the unique offerings from Verdant Tea. I am learning things I like: buttery mouthfeel, surprising sweet or spice notes, woodiness, mineral notes, depth and complexity and things I don’t: astringency, dry and sour notes.
I collect tea tins and am in danger of collecting pots, though I am trying to restrain the urge due to current lack of space. I brew mostly in a glass infuser mug or a tea maker, only using cast-iron for company now (still need to get a gaiwan) and tend not to sweeten my teas unless they are British or fruity and iced, which is not often.
As far as ratings, I lack a definite system and haven’t been assigning numbers lately, wanting to spend multiple sessions with a tea first. I usually only log a tea once, unless it is a new harvest or I have significantly different observations, but will go back and edit or comment if I find something interesting or new.
Location
Baker Street, Berea, Ohio
