Tea of the morning…. (and my daily hard core black)
I picked up some of this on my recent order to Mountain Rose Herbs. The price was very good for an organic and fair trade tea at $4.50 for 4 ounces I was really wanting it for smoking up my Franken Breakfast Blend a little. (And the Assam at a similar price will be used to kick it up a notch….by the time I am done blending, I will be smokin’ and jittery.) I needed to try it on its own, though, just to see how the flavors would blend.
I have to say I was a little apprehensive on trying this as I am not super knowledgeable when it comes to this kind of tea. I have only tried a few varieties. It is not Hu Kwa, but it is very good. Definitely a campfire smell, but the tea itself is smooth and very easy to drink, like Keemun on overdrive. I am not sure a Lapsang noob like me would need anything fancier than this. It has me rethinking my planned purchase of Lapsang Souchong Black Dragon from Upton in the Fall. Yes, when I sweeten this, I get toasted marshmallows….or maybe I should edit that to read the burned torch-like marshmallows that you blow out before you eat them. Is that more accurate, Cheryl? ;)
The packaging is interesting. It is a cute cubical box with some kind of flip top arrangement. Then inside the box is a cello bag with a long free end that is rolled up and secured with tape. I am pretty sure by half way into this, the tape won’t hold much from resticking. I think I will end up transferring to a tin.
The only thing that really bugs me about this company is the price of shipping. It makes it so I can only shop there about once a year. They are in OR and I am in OH. Shipping starts at around $10 and goes up from there. I do like their stance and business practices. I do recommend having your order well thought out before your submit. I have seen online reviews of issues with returns and they do not allow you to change your order once it is submitted.
Usual mug method.
Wow ..great review!! Sounds soo complex and yummy..I have never tried a Lapsang Souchong before. I would love to try this tea..is it expensive? added to shopping list ;)
Lovely review! Welcome to the world of delicious Lapsang Souchongs!
Relmaster, All of Mountain Rose Herbs Teas are very reasonably priced, this tea is $4.50 for 4 ounces! (Plus the fact that it is good for 2-3 infusions, makes it really cost effective!)
Thank you both for your kind words:)
Even if you get 1 steep, that’s cheap in the world of specialty tea.
Yes, Scott I agree.
In fact, when I first was looking at MRH’s teas they were so cheap compared to other teas that I thought there was no way they could be good quality.
But, everything I have gotten from them is fresh and tasted wonderful.
I think they cut costs by not using tins, they are really nicely packaged for shipment, but when they arrive but you do need to put them in your own tins.
Scott and Hesper June – MRH is also the same way with everything they sell – very high quality, very reasonable prices. I think because like you said, less packaging, plus bulk ordering. Their rose water is so reasonable and the best quality I’ve ever used. Also, their culinary spices are a fraction of the price of the supermarket, but loads higher in quality (and in many cases, organic!)! Love, love, love them.
Your LS is well priced. My local is about the same.
Puripan organic 2oz for 4.99, Teavivre 3.5oz 8.90
Well said Jacqueline, they are a great company!