Recommend me a Black tea -not for the faint of heart-

29 Replies
boychik said
Assam Steven Smith Teamaker,
Nahorhabi Assam Full Leaf Harney,
Black Lotus Butiki

Login or sign up to post a message.

ifjuly said

some favorites I think you might like given the (very helpful!) details you’ve shared (bear with me as some are labeled or contain things you mention disliking so far, but i’d suggest these are exceptional specimens that, to me at least, lack a lot of the unappealing aspects of their general category…not too heavy-handedly smoky, astringent, bitter, etc.):

Harney and Sons Scottish Morn
Golden Moon Sinharaja (Ceylon)
Utopia English Breakfast
Persimmon Tree Vintage Black
Teajo Teas Black Manas
Golden Moon Irish Breakfast
Harney and Sons Big Red Sun
Harney and Sons Queen Catherine
Butiki The Black Lotus
Andrews and Dunham Double Knit Blend or Tiger Assam
Harney and Sons Eight at the Fort
Butiki Taiwanese Wild Mountain Black
Butiki Premium Taiwanese Assam
Teavivre Bailin Gongfu
Teavivre Fengqing Dragon Pearl
Teavivre Yunnan Dian Hong Golden Tip
Verdant Laoshan Black
Taiwan Tea Crafts Red Jade

EDIT: I only just saw this post is like from a year ago. Whoops!

yyz said

Oh well, I think this is a perrenial topic! Nice list.

Kat said

Thank you so much for this list. I have no idea how this topic got bumped, but now I’m excited it did. I’ve been thinking I might want to buy myself some of Andrews and Dunham’s Double Knit Blend for New Years (so after I see if I get tea for Christmas.) I really might need to do it.

Anyanka said

Have you tried the Tiger Assam from A&D? I think it’s a little better/less ordinary than the Double Knit.

Kat said

I tend not to like Assam, so I’m not sure I would like it. I find them very astringent, and I can’t ever get them to not have a bitter taste at the end.

Have you tried butikis premium Taiwanese Assam yet? I fint it to be the least bitter of any Assam. But then I like Assam anyway, so I might not be a good judge :)

Anyanka said

Oh, then you’ll probably quite like the Double Knit.

Kat said

I’ll have to see about the Butikis tea. I’m really hesitant to try Assams now, which I know is narrow minded. . Anyanka, every time I look at the Double Knit description, I think—this is exactly the kind of blend I’d enjoy a lot. I know the Assam is more popular, or at least gets more buzz here, but I’ve always thought I’d like the knit.

Uniquity said

Not saying you need to try Butiki or embrace assams because there are certain teas that I just don’t happen to like and eventually gave up on (such as assam, hah) BUT the Taiwanese assam is totally unlike any assam I have had before. It is actually one of the best teas I’ve had, and I am typically a sweet Chinese black kind of girl. Unfortunately most of the Butiki teas I tried didn’t wow me but that one is amazing. And ruby pie is great too – if you’re going to indulge. :)

ifjuly said

Not that it matters, but just to reassure you—Double Knit’s my favorite A&D blend by far, and I know I’m not entirely alone (a couple tea swap buddies have mentioned it’s theirs too, and yes, we’ve all tried the Assam and the others currently available too).

Kat said

Okay, it’s official, I’m going to order myself the double knit as soon as I take Christmas inventory. (I’ll either get a lot of tea or absolutely none.) I’ve been thinking of ordering it, and it seems like it would suit me. / I’ll also make sure to add the Butiki tea to my list. I will eventually order from them when I have funds, because people love their blends, so I it’s on my list when I do. I’m not against Assam’s by any means in like any way but I’ve always been disappointed. By the way, you guys rock so much. It’s really exciting to get opinions in a way which make me really certain I’ll like certain things. It’s comforting and affirming!

ifjuly said

Kat, if you want I can send you a small amount to try first. I’d feel bad if you went and bought the whole 4.4oz (!) canister on our recs and discovered you didn’t care for it (I know how that goes). PM me your address if you’re interested. I’m crossing my fingers I can manage to go to the post office later this week anyway to mail off some swap boxes, so it’d be no problem to throw an envelope with a bit in it on the pile.

Sil select said

Kat – I haven’t had a second to reply to this but i will happily share some black teas with you if you want to give me a poke in the new year. I likely won’t be going by the post office again until later this month but I’ve got plenty in my cupboard to help you explore a few things before you commit to a purchase.

Kat said

Oh my God you guys are amazing. I actually have no idea what to say.

Login or sign up to post a message.

sandra said

have you tried Friesian tea? (Ostfriesen Tee). it’s bold, strong, and malty.

There is Frisian blend (broken Assams with Java teas) and Frisian Golden & malty (heavier on the assam).

Login or sign up to post a message.

Why Black Tea?

Black tea is popular tea and healthy delicious drink. I like to drink for its health benefits. It can help lower the risk of stroke because of high levels of flavonoids.
Black Tea is a delicious drink and best for health. It helps in weight loss and also helps to lower the risk of stroke because of high levels of flavonoids
See more at: EnjoyingTea

Login or sign up to post a message.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.