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Cameron B. drank Lapsang Bell by Han Xiang Ecological Tea

4161 tasting notes

This was one of the free samples included with my order from Han Xiang Ecological Tea via AliExpress. I was unsure of what to expect from this one, not knowing whether it’s a smoked lapsang or not. Turns out, it doesn’t seem to be smoked. The leaves are rather small and very dark, almost black. The dry scent is somewhat musty with raw grain and hay aromas. I did my usual 3 minute steep.

Once brewed, the tea has a very roasty aroma combined with grain and molasses, and a hint of dill. The taste is much the same. It’s a very robust tea with a strong dill presence that I’ve found in several Fujian teas so far. It’s quite roasty and reminiscent of coffee because of that. I am reminded of a strongly flavored rye or pumpernickel bread because of the combination of grain and dill notes. Interestingly enough, the aftertaste is distinctly raw peanut, like the Spanish kind with the red skins.

Overall, very flavorful and what I would call “manly” tea. :P

Flavors: Coffee, Dill, Grain, Molasses, Peanut, Roasted, Rye

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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Bio

Hi, I’m Cameron!

I’m a 30-something software engineer currently living in Austin, Texas with my husband and our two pugs, Gobo and Ume. I tend to cycle between my different hobbies, and they include piano, knitting, video games, board games, miniature painting, planners, bento, Korean skincare, and – of course – TEA! But really, what I’m best at is “collecting” hobby-related things… ;)

~ 2024 SIPDOWN CHALLENGE! ~
- November sipdowns: 13
- Total 2024 sipdowns: 156

I prefer my tea lukewarm or at room temperature and without milk or sugar. I steep Western style, and fluctuate between using big mugs or small teapots depending on the season.

I am always up for a swap! Just let me know if you’d like to try something in my cupboard.

Tea Preferences:
I enjoy both flavored and unflavored teas in many forms. These days, I drink mostly flavored teas, and I tend to gravitate most toward black, green, oolong, and herbal varieties. I do have a special fondness for straight Japanese green teas, however.

I do not sweeten my teas, and pre-sweetened teas are usually too sweet for me. I also do not enjoy stevia.

I tend to reach for fruitier flavors rather than desserty ones these days, but I do have favorites from both categories. Willing to try anything once! There are a few ingredients/flavors that aren’t generally my jam, such as coconut, rose, lavender, and chocolate flavoring. But I also have teas that I love with some of those things, too! :)

Favorite Companies:
3 Leaf
Bird & Blend
Dammann Frères
Harney & Sons
Kyoto Obubu Tea Farms
Lupicia
Old Barrel Tea Co
Simpson & Vail
Taiwan Tea Crafts
TeaVivre

Tea Rating Scale:
90-100: Outstanding! Permanent cupboard resident
80-89: Great – a possible staple
70-79: Good, but I wouldn’t buy it
60-69: It’s decent
50-59: Meh… I may or may not have finished the cup
40-49: Ick. Couldn’t finish it.
00-39: Repulsive, I spat it out

I will sometimes refrain from rating a tea if I feel I’m too biased due to my personal dislikes, or if I suspect the sample has been compromised by age or scent contamination.

Cupboard Spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZEuKf1-ppR-VXajO4vV39zU1N3zjFJteEPAynqD2yl0/edit?usp=sharing