Craved Jin Jun Mei, and then I got a bunch with a few other black teas I stared at for over 2 years from this website. They just so happened to have them at the same time. FINALLY!

The one I had previously from Spirit was very apricoty and fruity with the usual caramel tones and malty goodness, but this one was a surprise that was very tasty and relatively affordable for $17 for 50 grams. I don’t know if this is technically a true Jin Jun Mei, but it tastes like it. It’s very similar to the stuff I’d get from Alistair at What-Cha.

Insanely good. They describe it having pomegranate, caramel, and peated scotch notes, and I can get them. Every time I brewed this tea, it’s sweet, malty and buttery. I’ve western brewed it for 3 minutes a few sessions with a minimum rebrew of four to five really pushing it, and 2 tumbler fuel sessions. More leaves, more red, more color, more malt and cocoa/bready qualities. Less leaves= way more caramel notes bordering on toffee or peanut brittle. I usually don’t get pomegranate outright, but there’s a sweetness that reminds me more of rose. Definitely a red tasting vibe when brewing heavier.

Either way, I kind of wish I got more than 50 grams of this one. There are other really good quality blacks I’m going to describe, including Hugo’s Jin Jun Mei in comparison to this one-hence me not getting more. We’ll see how long it stays in stock. I think Jin Jun Mei style teas are my deep, cold winter pick.

Flavors: Butter, Butterscotch, Caramel, Chocolate, Cocoa, Malt, Red Fruits, Rose, Scotch, Smooth, Sweet, Tannin, Toffee

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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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