Daylon R Thomas Send Message

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drank Byzantium by Artemis Tea & Botanical
1733 tasting notes

Easy favorite. I wanted to get this one with Ursa, which was a cocoa bean laoshan blend with some dried berries, but I wanted this one because I love dramatic history of luxurious places. Byzantium gets often ignored by history classes despite continuing Rome’s legacy and served as a major influence over Christianity, trade, and the futures of Eastern Europe. The makers of the tea definitely have an idea of that vibe with the picks of flowers. It would have been cool to have purple with the yellow flowers to really hammer Byzantine aesthetic, but the tea looks exactly like the picture you see above.

I’ve done this tumbler style, and western, and western is the way to go. The flavors are smooth and incredible, but gets mistaken as a generically good black tea in a tumbler. Western style draws out and balances out the nuances. The teas picked are on the more chocolaty/milky side for black teas. I think there’s some Laoshan in this too, but I think the blend has changed from years to years. There’s some god buds, but not too many. The clover is especially prominent, and the immortelle has a bit of a taste between chamomile and chrysanthemum. My mom wondered if it was an Earl Grey when she drank it blind. The aftertaste is a little bit different and more subtle, yet there’s enough sweetness to make the tea a little bit more distinct. Malt, graham cracker and honey are good descriptors too, yet the clover is distinct enough for me.

It heavily weakens after steep two. Graham cracker and black tea with light malt are the main players. Tannin and vague florals are all that remains after a while.

I’m pretty happy with this one. If it were more flexible in a tumbler, it would be an easy breakfast and work tea. Since I have to pay attention, I’ll have to wake up earlier, or reserve it for lunch or the weekends. It’ll do the job of getting me up well, though I’m missing some of the other teas I’ve sipped down for breakfast.

Flavors: Clover, Flowers, Graham Cracker, Honey, Honeysuckle, Malt, Milk Chocolate

1 comments
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Leafhopper
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These sound like interesting teas! And yes, the history of Byzantium is fascinating and often ignored.

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Leafhopper
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These sound like interesting teas! And yes, the history of Byzantium is fascinating and often ignored.

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First Off, Current Targets:

Whispering Pines Alice
Good Luxurious Work Teas
Wang Family’s Jasmine Shanlinxi
Spring, Winter Taiwan High Mountain Oolongs

Dislikes: Heavy Tannin, Astringency, Bitterness, or Fake Flavor, Overly herby herbal or aged teas

Picky with: Higher Oxidation Oolongs, Red Oolongs (Some I love, others give me headaches or are almost too sweet), Mint Teas

Currently, my stash is overflowing. Among my favorites are What-Cha’s Lishan Black, Amber Gaba Oolong, Lishan Oolong, Qilan Oolong, White Rhino, Kenya Silver Needle, Tong Mu Lapsang Black (Unsmoked); Whispering Pines Alice, Taiwanese Assam, Wang’s Shanlinxi, Cuifeng, Dayuling, Jasmine Shan Lin Xi; Beautiful Taiwan Tea Co.“Old Style” Dong Ding, Mandala Milk Oolong; Paru’s Milk Oolong

Me:

I am an MSU graduate, and current alternative ed. high school social studies and history teacher. I formerly minored in anthropology, and I love Egyptian and classical history. I love to read, write, draw, paint, sculpt, fence(with a sword), practice calisthenics on rings, lift weights, workout, relax, and drink a cuppa tea…or twenty.

I’ve been drinking green and black teas ever since I was little living in Hawaii. Eastern Asian influence was prominent with my friends and where I grew up, so I’ve been exposed to some tea culture at a young age. I’ve come a long way since I began on steepster and now drink most teas gong fu, especially oolong. Any tea that is naturally creamy, fruity, or sweet without a lot of added flavoring ranks as a must have for me. I also love black teas and dark oolongs with the elusive “cocoa” note. My favorites are lighter Earl Greys, some white teas like What-Cha’s Kenyan offerings, most Hong-Cha’s, darker Darjeelings, almost anything from Nepal, Green Shan Lin Xi’s, and Greener Dong Dings. I’m in the process of trying Alishan’s. I also tend to really enjoy Yunnan Black or Red teas and white teas. I’m pickier with other teas like chamomile, green teas, and Masalas among several.

I used to give ratings, but now I only rate teas that have a strong impression on me. If I really like it, I’ll write it down.

I’ll enjoy a tea almost no matter what, even if the purpose is more medicinal, for it is my truest vice and addiction.

Location

Michigan, USA

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