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My afternoon tea….

After floating all morning in my love that is Keemun Mao Feng, I had to find something that was just as wonderful, but in a different way. I do agree that this one is blended so perfectly. It is sweet and floral, and such a comforting and relaxing tea. The jasmine, rose, green tea, and Earl Grey all have their place in this blend. Wonderful.

A Tale of Two Keemuns…..of the Mao Feng Variety

So this is kind of my last stop for now on my tour of China black teas. Cup #12. This one was an add on, since I absolutely loved Harney’s Keemun Mao Feng, I added a 100 gram size of this onto my Upton order for Imperial Golden Monkey. One day, I will have to pick up a few Yunans and a few more Keemuns to round it all out. This is a Keemun Mao Feng comparison between Upton and Harney….

I decided to do a side by side prep of these two, just to see the differences. The dry leaf looks very similar, and the Upton smells a little sweeter dry. However, things change slightly when steeped. Both were steeped for 4 minutes with freshly boiled water from the same kettle. Both are very, very good. I would say the taste is similar except that the Upton is ever so slightly smokier. The mouth feel of the Harney is slightly thicker. If I had not tasted them side by side, I am not sure I would have noticed the subtle differences.

For taste, I do think I slightly prefer the Harney, but for value, Upton wins. The Harney & Son’s Keemun Mao Feng is $24 for 4 oz., and the Upton comes in at a great bargain of $8.20 for 100 grams (3.5 oz.) Even if I added in shipping from Upton, the cost is just a little over half of the other. Here is another case where I am not so sure the extra cost is totally worth it for the one I slightly prefer of the two. However, I am so glad I have them both in my cupboard. I do love Keemun Mao Feng!

Cup #11…..

This one is really very good. It is in line with the usual profile of a Fujian black…..cocoa notes, smooth, and I do get a little of the berry note they suggested was in this. I did sweeten, and maybe that helped. I think this one could easily replace a slightly more expensive Fujian black in my cupboard that is $7 for 3 oz. ($2.33/oz). This one is a little cheaper at $7.40 for 4.4 oz. (125g total and $1.68/oz) and is what I consider to be in the low range. A great value tea in my book. Also, a bonus that it is organic.

Cup #10 in my tour of Upton’s China blacks. I have about two more to go, and I am sure I could find several more there to try. This one is what I would consider a mid range for price at a little over $3 per ounce.

This one is interesting. I think this is the first tea I have noticed to have a bite at the beginning, but a completely smooth finish. The needles are very fine and dark, like a Keemun. There is the slightest bit of smoke in the finish, but I am still trying to sort out the front notes….to my sissy sweet loving palate, it is kind of bitter, but it goes away. While this is not a tea I would purchase for anything other than sampling, it definitely has made a difference, because I never would have thought this combo of beginning and end existed. I have such a long way to go……

I had three jumbo mugs of this today. Yum! The resteaps were as good as the first. Feeling rather spoiled…..

My morning tea…..I thought this one was appropriate, as there is another Catherine joining the British Royal Family today who could be queen. It is not that I am so much a royal watcher, but it is a tie to my childhood. I remember watching as a child when Prince William’s parents wed, and I was completely taken with the whole thing. I wish them the best.

I am trying this one again. I think my memory of it was not very accurate, and opening the tin whilst in the throes of allergies and sensitive nose does not help. It is very floral and bergamot smelling. So much that it makes the sensitised nose (remember that it is allergy season for me) think thoughts of finely milled French soap. It did not, however, stop me from trying this one again today.

It is definitely an Earl Grey and rose blend, but it lacks the sweetness of Teas Etc. Rosey Earl Grey. Maybe it is the lack of jasmine? It is still a good cup as long as I remember to do a short steap time and sweeten it. I need to bump up the rating a bit, but I won’t be repurchasing as it makes me long for the Rosey.

My morning tea….

This one is so complex. It is kind of smokey and coffee like, with a very full mouth feel. It does have notes of dark chocolate, but still a sweet finish. Definiely a favorite.

Second steap is as good as the first.