1.5 tsp for 300mL water @100C, steeped 4 minutes 30 seconds Western style, drunk bare.
1st infusion
Well, now.
I’ve been afraid to try this tea, given all the hype. When I made my Verdant order, Verdant was actually sold out of Laoshan Black, but they did have some little sample packs left, so I got a little pack as part of the five teas for five dollars promotion.
This is beautiful.
To my tasting, it’s the perfect China black: deep and rich, with cocoa, honey, and spice notes (cinnamon, pepper), but no bitterness and no astringency. Some leathery notes in the aroma, as well as cocoa and something roast and sweet, and a thick and warm aftertaste that coats the long. Maybe something slightly soy-beany, too? Is this the tea crop that’s grown with soybeans in the same plots? The liquor looks a bit downy, too; I expect the down adds to the thick mouthfeel.
Delicious. I’m in some sort of tea ecstasy here.
Preparation
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2d infusion, steeped 5 minutes 30 seconds, was very similar. I can believe how well all the Verdant teas stand up to multiple infusions.
Utterly a Verdant fangirl now.
I’ve only received their sampler, but they are so far!
Being a fellow Black Tea lover, I can appreciate when you approve of a tea. I love strong black tea’s also…like Ajiri etc. I think they resteep so well because they’re super fresh. Picked and air-shipped right away as soon as processed. Knowing the sources makes a huge difference too.
Ooops — “can believe” = “can’t believe”
I’d not exploted Verdant before because I’m a bit of a coward. I’ve been a Stash customer for 20-odd years, and I’m nervous about planking down a fair chunk of change for new-to-me tea… but like we tell our youngsters when they’re faced with a new food: How will you know if you don’t try it?
I’m not giving up on Stash; I still need good Indian teas, and Stash certainly has that, with a really good selection of Darjeelings and Assams. And I love, love, love Andrews & Dunham Damn Fine Tea. Locally all I’ve got is a DavidsTea, and they’re good for blended and flavoured teas, if you like them. I’m not too excited about their straight teas. Mighty Leaf intrigues me, and so does Upton. But Verdant has knocked me over. Bonnie, I think you’re on to something with the freshness. The teas have all been so very fragrant when I opened the pouches, too.
YEESH, I can’t type! long = tongue in my original note
2d infusion, steeped 5 minutes 30 seconds, was very similar. I can believe how well all the Verdant teas stand up to multiple infusions.
Utterly a Verdant fangirl now.
I’ve only received their sampler, but they are so far!
Being a fellow Black Tea lover, I can appreciate when you approve of a tea. I love strong black tea’s also…like Ajiri etc. I think they resteep so well because they’re super fresh. Picked and air-shipped right away as soon as processed. Knowing the sources makes a huge difference too.
Ooops — “can believe” = “can’t believe”
I’d not exploted Verdant before because I’m a bit of a coward. I’ve been a Stash customer for 20-odd years, and I’m nervous about planking down a fair chunk of change for new-to-me tea… but like we tell our youngsters when they’re faced with a new food: How will you know if you don’t try it?
I’m not giving up on Stash; I still need good Indian teas, and Stash certainly has that, with a really good selection of Darjeelings and Assams. And I love, love, love Andrews & Dunham Damn Fine Tea. Locally all I’ve got is a DavidsTea, and they’re good for blended and flavoured teas, if you like them. I’m not too excited about their straight teas. Mighty Leaf intrigues me, and so does Upton. But Verdant has knocked me over. Bonnie, I think you’re on to something with the freshness. The teas have all been so very fragrant when I opened the pouches, too.
YEESH, I can’t type! long = tongue in my original note