Charles Thomas Draper Send Message

When I saw this listed as a new tea on the Teavivre website I was hoping to try some. I got my latest order from them and as if they knew, there it was. When steeped it gets dark quickly and I gave it a whiff every minute or so to check on it. My first sip I knew this would something special. I has all of the marks of a very fine tea. Flavor. Aroma. And an incredible energy. Definitely a tea that I will order. This is truly a must-have.

I am saying goodbye to this beloved tea today. I put the remainder of the bag in the Mason Jar for a final cold-brew. The color. That greenish yellow hue I will see no more. That flavor that lingered long after consumption will be but a memory. The aroma that came to me as a spring day. Is gone.

This tea was with me on many a journey. Most notably my fathers funeral. I thought what will I drink to maintain my composure? This was the answer. Just like springtime life goes on.

Another sample of black tea from Upton {I got 14}. This is an incredibly strong and robust brew perfectly suited as an eye-opener. I can see this getting incredibly dark and gnarly if you let it steep past 3 minutes. I can imagine this as the espresso of the tea world. I brewed 2 steeps before I decided that this would make a nice iced tea. So today after the Bohea I am enjoying the rest of this and it turned out nice even after 2 steeps it remained strong and assertive.

This is my second tasting of this sample from Upton. The first tasting I found it to be very mild in taste yet it had this captivating aroma of pine and a whisper of smoke. I could not stop smellling the wonderful aroma. Today I upped the steep time and the amount of leaf and it improved the cup slightly for my morning cup. I do believe this is better suited for an evening tea. It is very subtle and mild. This is a very fine tea that in my opinion is better for an evening tea.

This was my choice after the Mangalam failed me. 8 pearls 1 cup basket-style and I am in heaven. Dark and seductive. Truly one of my favorite teas. Maybe I brewed it too strong with 8 pearls but the result was a delicious tea deserving of all of the accolades it is receiving on Steepster.

My morning cup. The first steeping was deep, strong and dark. As far as energy goes, it failed. Or did I fail it? A 4 minute steep time with a bit over a teaspoon of leaf {the dried leaf smells awesome}. The second steep was somewhat weak and left me wanting something else. Maybe I will use more leaf and increase the steep time for the remainder of the sample. This is my second tasting of this tea since I received my samples from Upton. The first time it was better but unfortunetly it was a workday and my Steepster time is limited….

This is my second tasting of Holy Basil. I am going to make this and Celestial Seasons Tension Tamer my late-night relaxation brews. This is rich and complex in flavor and definitely something for later in the evening. I brewed this one day in the afternoon and I could not figure out why I was so mellow, bordering on sleepy. Thanks to all of the Steepsterites who turned me on to this herb.

After yesterdays first surf session since May I awoke tired and in need of something strong. This was the right tea. When I poured the boiling water upon the teaspoon or so of leaf I noticed that it gets strong quickly. I had to keep an eye on this one. After maybe 3 minutes I was awoken with its aroma and flavor. This is a good strong tea for beginning the day. It had that strong breakfast tea get up and go while retaining a clean briskness and it was not overpowering. I enjoyed this throughly.

I know several fellow Steepsterites said that blends were not their cup of tea. This may change their minds.

This is my first East Frisian tea. It is strong but it still has the complex flavor of a finer tea. I noticed immediately that the energy was coursing through my body. My eyes were keen and aware. In my quest for a coffee replacement this one does just fine. I also purchased the BOP version and 13 other samples to try for my morning cup. While laying in my hospital bed a month ago I decided that I was going to give up coffee and devote myself fully to my beloved tea. Morning, noon and night….

This was my good morning cup. Dark and full flavored. I too can see how it can be oversteeped. I love the 5 minute steep. It was awakening. The empty cup aroma was sublime. Totally unique. The second cup was better than the first. I could be wrong but I am getting a coffee flavor. This tea is delicious and I am thoroughly enjoying it. This tea is one of many black teas I have been sampling lately for my coffee replacement. I must add that this was not purchased as a sample. I know from my fellow Steepsterites reviews and Verdants history that this was a must have. And I am glad to have it.