This was the free sample in my Upton order! I steeped this morning’s cup for a little over three minutes. It definitely has that strong scent of hay that I’ve noticed with some Yunnan black teas. The flavor is more complex; I can taste a strong hay note, similar to the aroma, but there’s also a sweet note of honey here, and a little bit of cocoa and spice. The mouthfeel is thicker than I expected, maybe even a little powdery, but very smooth. There’s a little dryness to it, but it’s smooth as well— I wish I knew how to describe it, but it’s not as sharp and bitter as the astringency in an Assam.
I’m still learning about black teas, so it’s hard for me to say much about the quality, or how this tea compares to other Yunnans. But I enjoyed my cup. I could see myself drinking it often, as a more everyday sort of tea.
