Laoshan Black

It’s like a koala bear farted a rainbow into my brain.

This tea deserves a much better review than I can provide it at this exact point in time.

You see, we started drinking this about six hours ago, with the first steep. The flavor was pleasant, very reminiscent of the bailin gongfu I so enjoy from Teavivre. But it was smoother, with a little more of a cocoa taste to it in place of the malty, grainy taste of the bailin. Well, the Laoshan has a grainy taste as well, but it is more mellow.

Then we did a second steeping, and we both started doing some cleaning around the house. The second steeping was a little sweeter, and not noticeably any weaker (I should mention that these are western brewings, not gaiwan). I didn’t get the cinnamon notes, but that could be my own personal lack of refinement ;)

Missy did the third steeping while I was making dinner. Again, that same sweet and smooth taste, with a mild graininess. Quite enjoyable. But I sat down with my nice, char-grilled steak, a warm cup of tea, and started watching Boardwalk empire. Three steeps into this tea, and I never sat down and really thought about what I was tasting with enough detail to write a good, handy tasting note.

I do enjoy this tea quite a bit, all of what I’ve heard of the quality of Verdant’s tea is true. This is a very smooth, very crisp, enjoyable tea.

So i got an ounce of this to play around with because i really want to like this tea and think it deserves another try :)

On first taste (brewed 1tbsp in a mug for 3 minutes at terri harplady’s suggestion!) i think of the mexican hot chocolate one of my friends makes. It has the dark cocoa as well as the spices. Im’ totally getting cinnamon and even some cardamom, both of which i adore, in the aftertaste. I even have this warming sensation in my mouth just like the pinch of chili powder she adds! So delicious

As it cools it tastes more like dark chocolate covered cocoa nibs. That chocolate flavor is still prominent but the background notes become more reminiscent of that almost coffee flavor i taste from cocoa nibs—raw, a little spicy and bitter, but in a good way.

As far as texture goes, this is about as creamy as a good dark black tea gets. It seriously tastes like i added cream but it most certainly is dairy free as of now. As it cools though that tiny bite of that cocoa nib bitterness cuts the creaminess a bit which to me is great because i don’t know if i could drink a whole cup of that full creaminess!

I love this a lot more now. Definitely a higher rating from me!

I was pleasantly surprised by a knock on the door from our postman today. He had a package for me from Bonnie that was a TON of teas to sample! It was like Christmas on the 14th of June! Thank you so much for the package Bonnie, I cannot wait to try all of the teas you sent!

I found myself unable to decide on what tea to make first, so I sniffed around and finally picked this one. I’m reading a riveting book right now & I thought the aroma suited my mood. Complex. That’s the first word that comes to mind when I breathed in this tea.

After steeping it in my little white teapot, the aroma was bright and roasted, warm & autumny. Like going outside as the hot air turns cooler and breathing in the last of summer. The taste was just the same. Notes of roasted grains, bright and ever so lightly malted.

I was right to choose this tea as it perfectly suited my mood and I look forward to the second steep as I am finishing up my cup now. I will most certainly be purchasing some more of this! Thank you so much (again) to Bonnie for sending this!

Steeped it hot and stuck it in the freezer, today. Drank it as a slushie. So good! Doesn’t even need sugar. Chocolatey, sweet, and awesome!

Need something comforting and reliable this morning. This one never fails me!!

I kept reading about the Laoshan Black, and became increasingly intrigued by the chocolate, honey, and spice description. Due to a generous gift from JustJames, I have a sample of this tea, and finally had to try it. And now I see why everyone just loves this tea. Another fan of this tea has been made.

Rich, deep cocoa flavour, that makes me feel like I am sipping on a decadent chocolate/fudge treat. This is an outstanding tea.

This is a back-log from yesterday morning before work. As a nurse, I have limited time throughout the day to enjoy tea. Therefore, when I got my order from Verdant tea after work on Friday – I almost wanted to cry.

NEW TEA and NOT TIME FOR CAFFEINE :(

Well – my sadness quickly subsided after opening the bag and experiencing the delightful aroma of this Laoshan. Without a second sniff, I hurried to my husband for him to join in the surprise. I decided I would cold brew some overnight as well as make a cup in the morning.

When my alarm clock went off Saturday morning, I surpassed the snooze button and hobbled into the kitchen. Before I could even let my dogs outside, I strained the cold brew and took a sip. It was pleasurable, but somewhat lighter than I expected. Notes of chocolate and perhaps a bit fruity.

Next- the hot brew. I impatiently waiting for four minutes while the steeping process was in motion. At this moment, I wish that everyone at steepster could have seen me. It was much like my high-school prom night, except I was in scrubs, had my hair in a pony-tail, and was simultaneously making my lunch. Lunch preparation had to be put on hold to take the initial slurp. Ahhhhh.

This tea was remarkable, so much better hot than cold. The texture was fabulously smooth and creamy. Unlike the iced version, the notes of chocolate were subdue. Unfortunately, I was unable to even pinpoint separate tastes. It was just ASTOUNDING!

A++! Great first experience with Verdant. Muchos Gracias.

Happy Steeping!

My mom helped me finish off my sample pack of this last night. She thought it tasted like liquid Grape Nuts, and I think she nailed it (for me, at least). Maybe Grape Nuts with a light dusting of cocoa powder. I’m still glad I got to try this one, but a second tasting confirms that it’s just not really my thing.

While I was placing this tea into my new porcelain tea canister from Verdant I was so amazed at the chocolaty aroma! The dry leaf smells intensely of dark baking chocolate. How can this be? I couldn’t wait to taste it!
I made a pot full, western style. I used 3 tbs. in my 24 oz. pot. The dry leaves are very dark, vanilla bean brown. I poured the water over the leaves, mmmmmmm… Still chocolate, but now a another layer to the aroma, grains.
First sip…dense buckwheat pancakes with dark bittersweet chocolate chips and a very light drizzle of overly caramalized dulce de leche. This tea has a very heavy mouth feel. So lovely. I can see why so many steepsters recommend Laoshan Black.
My second cup I added some natural cane sugar, Delicious but better straight.
Definitely will be keeping my new tea canister full of this tea!

Now, I am craving chocolate chip buckwheat pancakes…