SebaSTea

“I can share (but nobody would like it I assume).” —Martin.

Third and final session with this tea that Martin shared with me. For somebody that’s not a big drinker of Ceylon teas, I find this perfectly acceptable and accessible, probably good for those that like their tea with milk and sugar but it is drinkable straight which is how I prefer. It does have a mild aroma of red fruits jam which comes through stronger in the mouth along with malt and cedar, a hint of butter. Surprisingly full body that thins out into a texture bittersweet at the back of the tongue. Long-lasting jammy aftertaste with some tannic drying. Heavy in the stomach at this leaf amount and brew time. It is not a smokey-campfire tea to me unlike for Martin. Good for two steeps. I find it a nicely balanced, strong breakfast-type tea.

Sharing is caring. Rest given to my grandma who wanted some black tea.

While this wasn’t a bad tea, certainly it lacks the high quality qualities. It’s simple, inoffensive black tea, which won’t mind long steeps too.

Probably won’t re-buy, but I am okay if offered.

I have used two teaspoons for my 300 ml cup. Prepared grandpa.

It seems this tea had its best over. It was somehow quite weak today, not much flavours to be noticed. But it was still quite tannic and malty, I just haven’t noticed any smoke from earlier, nor jam.

It was just simple breakfast-like black tea; simple and enjoyable. Not woody too. Maybe it is like this because it just rests in cupboard (though ziplocked). I think I should finish it soon, it is already over a year since I bought it and it wasn’t freshest tea when I bought it. Rating up from 72 to 75. Mostly because it remains still tasty, though bit old.

Okay, unexpectably gong-fu; 5 grams / 85 ml. A new tea cup used (thanks SaltyTeabag from r/tea IRC)!

The cup is maybe bit too big; but I do not mind actually.
It smells bit smoky with jam notes. As derk said; it is a red fruits jam. Little malty and woody. Maybe the tea as it is opened changed a flavour a little. I think it is bit tastier; it reminds me as well some English breakfast blends. I wanted something simple this morning (it is 8.25 am when writing this line).
1st steep was 15 seconds long and it was just perfect. No astringency but fruitiness, maltiness. As good black tea should be. I like it much more prepared this way.
2nd was 20 seconds. I think it does not change much, maybe it is just little less smoky. I just want to finish whole thermos of water. I feel it is bit drying now, but I don´t mind. I feel bit numb. Maybe because of morning?

Inched rating up. So far for 8 “points”.

3rd.
I noticed that I have not described colour. Well, unfortunately the cup is not glass, so it is bit hard to describe, but it looks like (when pouring) like a golden-copper colour. As expected from black tea I guess. Another 15 seconds. I think it is just allright; malty notes dominate the flavour, not much juicy.

I almost ran out of black teas, so I picked up in shop this one. The shop assistant recommend me some another, but it was CTC. Like really? I guess she wanted sell me bad tea for awfully high price. This one is HGFBOP. I wonder what “HG” stands for? Maybe “high grown”?

Anyway, let´s check out this tea.

Aroma of dry leaves is strong, black “tea” aroma, withount funky notes, bit herbal. Dry leaves are quite big, but broken. Luckily not many branches there, but unfortunately they are there. On visual side I think they are quite good for the price.

Heat up the kettle, I need a tea! I used about 4 grams of this tea, in ball strainer (I really should buy some big one!), a mug with boiling water. They suggest a 3-5 minutes steeping time. I did 4 minutes brew.

Aroma is bit weak, little a jam notes, little malt, little campfire. Not smoky, but rather like a fire (thus campfire I guess). But really weak. Taste was similar, bit more bold of malt and jam. But still really weak which surprised me as it is broken orange pekoe. I thought it will be much stronger. Maybe next time I will use more tea and/or longer steeping time. I have plenty of it. I can share (but nobody would like it I assume).

Hmm, weak tea, not fancy as much they are selling it. Nothing distinctive. Too bad that I have tea bags with stronger and more interesting taste. At least it is not awfully bitter!