Jill Gonzalez Send Message

My friends in Britain got me hooked on this tea- it’s a good, sturdy, strong cuppa tea. It does brew fast, due to the CTC method of the leaves, but it a way it’s a great thing too so I don’t have to wait too long for a good cup of tea in the morning if I’m in a rush. 5 min and it’s good to go! I have noticed it is very bitter if I oversteep it past 5 minutes. Generally it doesn’t bother me as I add milk to balance out the astringency. All in all, very good!

I got this one from a local Middle Eastern market and was intrigued by the description of “bergamot and other flavors” listed on the tin. When I opened it, I was slightly disappointed to find that it smelled like Earl Grey only. After brewing, the fragrance pretty much disappears and leaves behind a mild Ceylon with a slight Earl Grey flavor. I’m not put off by this, however, as some days I only want a hint of flavoring. The base is a good Ceylon and it can be bitter, but as I like to add milk to my black teas, it doesn’t bother me at all. Decent tea- I much prefer the cardamom by Ahmad better.

I actually really enjoy this tea and I’m pretty picky when it comes to “grocery store” brands. I was able to get this one in loose leaf at a local Middle Eastern market and at first, I was a bit scared because the smell was so strong I was afraid that it would be overwhelming. However, after steeping, the smell lessened and it was pleasant. I like my black teas with half and half so I added that and took a taste. I was pleasantly surprised! I love the smooth Ceylon base and a gentle touch of spice. It has quickly become a tea in my frequent rotation.

This reminds me a lot of Assam, however, it’s not as flavorful or deep as Assam. There are some of the same flavor notes such as raisin and malt, but it seems more of a delicate tea and I like mine a bit more robust since I like to drink mine with cream and honey. – I know, not a purist, but I find that the cream and honey bring out the flavors that I adore. Anyway, this tea is great blended with Keemun, Assam, or Nilgiri.

Nilgiri is an amazing tea- it has a depth of flavor yet somewhat light and refreshing. I love having this one iced, and I love blending this with Assam for a good strong morning cuppa.

Malty, strong, and a bit of raisin flavor. This is my absolute favorite tea. It blends well with other teas and adds depth and dimension to many other teas. Strong and bold.

This one isn’t as robust as my all time favorite tea, Assam, but I like the buzzy mouthfeel and the hint of smoke. This is especially well paired with Assam. I use more leaf and let it steep for about 5 minutes. I usually take my tea western style- I think that the cream and honey I add brings out some of the flavors better. In Keemun, I notice more smoke and malt flavor and maybe a little hint of cocoa.