In the year since I posted my first tasting note on this tea, I have continued to drink it, and ordered several times again from Tealyra. Even at work I will pull out one of these sachets every day or two and enjoy a cup. I have noticed that the leaves in the sachets are somewhat larger than the leaves in the bulk bag I keep at home, but the taste is the same. The sachets contain less leaf than I would normally use, probably around 1.0 to 1.25 g per sachet. Today I used 2 g and brewed in 8 ounces of boiling spring water for 2 min. The liquor was deep brown, and so very aromatic! And with every sip both my mouth and my nose was filled with deliciousness. Malty and sweet, this is a fine black tea that stimulates not only the sides and back of my tongue but also the roof of my mouth all the way back. It’s almost fruity, but not quite. And delivers a good caffeine kick! The second 2 min. Steeping was equally deep brown, but not nearly as aromatic. Flavors of leather and tobacco were evident alongside the now-tempered malty sweetness. With the sachets, I let it go 3-4 min and get one steep out of them. No fannings or dust either way.
Flavors: Leather, Malt, Tea, Tobacco
Preparation
Boiling
2 min, 0 sec
2 g
8 OZ / 236 ML
People who liked this
Comments
I had been drinking so much of this that I bought a whole pound of leaves. Only to discover that this big lot is not as good. Less aromatic, less fruity, and tasting more toasted. I wonder if Tealyra changed suppliers, or if this batch got overcooked. Or maybe just a different year. Still quite quaffable, but I need to back down from using a full teaspoon of leaf per 16oz pot as this is just so strong!
Teavivre recommends 190F for their Keemun teas. I wonder if dropping the temp would help? I know it made Harney’s Organic English Breakfast, which is pure Keemun, more palatable for me.
That’s a good idea, ashmanra, I’ll give it a try!
I had been drinking so much of this that I bought a whole pound of leaves. Only to discover that this big lot is not as good. Less aromatic, less fruity, and tasting more toasted. I wonder if Tealyra changed suppliers, or if this batch got overcooked. Or maybe just a different year. Still quite quaffable, but I need to back down from using a full teaspoon of leaf per 16oz pot as this is just so strong!
Teavivre recommends 190F for their Keemun teas. I wonder if dropping the temp would help? I know it made Harney’s Organic English Breakfast, which is pure Keemun, more palatable for me.
That’s a good idea, ashmanra, I’ll give it a try!