“What’s in your cup?”
This morning I brewed Keemun Black Tea – Grade 1 by TeaVivre: 7.1g / 7 oz / 205*F / 1, 2, & 3 min. without sweeteners, milk, or cream. The Western method directions call for 8 g & 8 oz. Since the sample package contained 7.1 g, I used 7 oz. The TeaVivre recommended rise before brewing was performed.
– Leaf: short, dark & unifrom
– Fragrance: winey & smoky
– Liquor: Medium-dark amber red
– Aroma: Classic Keemun – winey & smoky
– Flavor:
This Keemun has the classic Keemun full-bodied winey profile. The woodiness found in Grade 2 is absent in Grade 1. Grade 1 is also MUCH smoother than Grade 2, but not quite as smooth TeaVivre’s rich and creamy Premium Kemun Hao Ya. There was no bitterness or astringency. This Keemun is winey, malty and is somewhat sweet. After having enjoyed 1,700 grams of TeaVivre’s Premium Keemun Hao Ya since April 2013, Grade 1 doesn’t have the caramel-like sweetness and wonderful full mouth feel found in their Premium Keemun Hao Ya.
Re-steep 7.1g / 7 oz / 205*F / 2 min.: This cup is just a little less full-bodied but still very enjoyable.
2nd Re-steep 7.1g / 7 oz / 205*F / 3 min.:. This cup is nearly identical to the previous one.
An excellent cost-effective Keemun.
Thanks to KittyLovesTea for providing this free sample.
Method:
RO water re-mineralized with an Aptera filter http://steepster.com/teas/teaware/39532-puregen-aptera-alkamag-water-filter
http://steepster.com/teas/teaware/37731-my-weigh-durascale-d2-660-digital-scale
Brewed western-style conveniently in a tea mug with a Finum brew basket http://steepster.com/teas/teaware/29177-finum-brewing-basket.
http://steepster.com/teas/davidstea/36677-thermometer-and-timer
