Upton Tea Imports

I decided to try this tea to experience cocoa and cardamon notes in a tea. When the tea was steeping I noted a strong chocolate mint aroma—very pleasant. I was excited for the first sip. I steeped it for 5 minutes with 212 water as recommended by upton. Upon tasting the tea I noted a slight cocoa flavor and some fruity/cinnamon notes. Nothing especially exciting to me—it reminded me of a christmas chocolate—one of those berry flavored cream filled types that make you wish you weren’t in the company of others so you could spit it out after the first bite.
The tea loses much with the addition of milk and sugar.
Its not awful, but not worth bothering to order online.

I decided to try this tea to experience cocoa and cardamon notes in a tea. When the tea was steeping I noted a strong chocolate mint aroma—very pleasant. I was excited for the first sip. I steeped it for 5 minutes with 212 water as recommended by upton. Upon tasting the tea I noted a slight cocoa flavor and some fruity/cinnamon notes. Nothing especially exciting to me—it reminded me of a christmas chocolate—one of those berry flavored cream filled types that make you wish you weren’t in the company of others so you could spit it out.
The tea loses much with the addition of milk and sugar.
Its not awful, but not worth bothering to order online.

This tea was a real surprise for me. I am a hardcore coffee snob—own a coffee press (including a travel one to bring with me on the way into the office), whole beans only thank you , etc. Tea to me is nice, but most of the standard blends were never as satisfying as the flavor seems to fade into something unpleasant after the first few sips.

To cut down on my daily intake of half and half I have started to explore better quality loose tea and gave the British Blend a whirl, After all, wouldn’t you expect the brits to have a good handle on blending a good tea.
This blend if my first experience of a tea that is as satisfying to sip as a cup of good coffee. Its strong, bold has body but not bitter AT ALL. Even as the softer more complex notes of the tea fade as the cup cools a bit this tea is still pleasant to sip. It stands up well to sugar and milk and tastes just as well straight up.
I finally understand why brits drink tea more often than coffee.

Oooohhh yeah, Just had a second go. Everything I expected from a Pi lo chun. The smokyness really stands out and you can taste the subtle fruity flavors.

I like this one a lottttt, rating just improved.

Just got this one today. Based off of my love for their Pi Lo Chun (Green snail spring) I was also drawn in considering it was labeled “new” in their catalog and the “select quality” — whatever that means — in it’s description.

Right off the bat, I boil the water and steep it, time/temp/amount as directed. Unfortunately the tea came out with a strong metallic taste (no doubt from my tap) but I was able to detect a peachy flavor (other reviewers mentioned this for the Upton’s Green Snail Spring). Despite the overpowering metal flavor I still enjoyed it. Its light, the flavor is obviously complex and I’ll go into greater detail after a few other attempts (using water from a Britta filter perhaps).

Most notably was the smell when I first opened it, hard to describe, but it felt like it filled my nose with freshness.

I gave it an above average score because I like it, but this first experience is not enough to gauge it’s full potential.