Tilly Mints Tea Room

With little knowledge of Panyong besides how it smelled and that it was a Chinese black tea, I picked up a couple ounces of this tea. I do not regret it. Even though this is my first tasting of the tea, I can tell that this is going to be a new favorite of mine. The first sip was intense. The dark chocolate nose translated well into the flavour, and it bares some resemblance to Verdant’s Laoshan Black despite being a fraction of the price ($5/2 oz.) Along with the bitter dark chocolate taste, it carries the starchiness of a potato or yam, and the scent of wood or bark. While bitter like dark chocolate it is not sour or tannic. This tea is enjoyable on its own, but could easily be paired with foods, both sweet or savory, without being overpowered. I’m quite happy with how this tea has turned out, and I hope this tea takes up some permanent shelf place at Tilly Mint’s because I will be looking to drink some more.

I drank this after having some tieguanyin in store at Tilly Mint’s. Despite my affinity for Chinese oolongs it was this tea which was the most memorable. With a full strong body, no astringency, and a somewhat smokey flavour and aroma, it was by far one of my favorite black teas. As someone who tends to skip black teas and drinks primarily puerh and oolongs this tea is an exception. It reminds me of a good earthy puer and I had to pick up some for my home use.

I received this as a gift, and I like it a lot.