Sun Moon Black

Sipdown! 60/365

Felt like a black tea tonight, saw this and was enticed by the small amount of remaining tea. This is a solid, tasty black. No astringency despite the leaf being pretty broken at the bottom of the bag. It’s malty and hay-y, with a touch of florals, not really chocolate or raisin (my faves). I don’t think I’m quite pinpointing the right flavours, here, but I’ve never been particularly good at identifying them!

I don’t tend to get the “menthol” description some people give to Sun Moon blacks, but I think I might be getting it in this one. Second time sipping this particular tea, this time gongfu. Made it western in a mug the first time, but it was a bit too much like a strong assam.

First steep (~5-10 seconds, playing it a bit loose) was faintly dry and fruity.
Second steep (same) more menthol, but overall reminded me more of fruit leather. Drying and tangy.
Third steep: menthol; wouldn’t describe it as mint, more like a weird tip of the tongue taste that reminds me a bit of mouthwash.
Fourth: The fruity flavours have pretty much disappeared; it’s menthol/mouthwashy, slightly astringent on the tongue.

I really only went to David’s today to get a matcha and look at the new matcha blends, but in the corner of my eye, I spotted this one and remembered there were a few new straight teas, and without looking at the profile, just decided to get 14g. The guy said it was similar to the Nepal Black, which I think I had liked but it’s been a while since I had it, and he said it was smooth that he was fine drinking it straight. I was able to drink it straight after a 2:30 minute steep. Hot, it went down pretty easily, but it was not til it had cooled some that I picked up on the mint notes. I can’t say that it’s exactly like mint, but I did have a sort of cool feeling at the end of the sip, and the cool feeling is probably what is the mint note. I’m on to my second steep. I might add milk to it, and maybe hint of maple…

I tried this around the same time as DavidsTea’s Nepal Black and the Nepal Black wowed me so much that this one tasted kind of lacklustre in comparison. I don’t get any mint flavors from this at all, but it does have a subtle, honeyed sweetness to it and a strong, earthy quality to it. It makes me think of dirt, hay and dry woods. Overall has a more dry, toasty flavor than Nepal Black, and isn’t as sweet or honeyed tasting.

Last of the new straight teas, for now – there’s one more coming out eventually, it’s just been a little delayed…

I was THRILLED to see this one come out though; I own several Sun Moon Lake teas and they’re always such a treat! I was a little worried how this would stack up compared to offerings from companies like Taiwan Tea Crafts or other companies that are more specialized in this type of tea but any introduction to the casual tea consumer is positive in my books!

I liked it – I drank it Western and will definitely be buying at least a small amount to try this one out Gong Fu at home just so I can compare to some things in my personal stash, but as a Western cup of tea it was solid. Definitely the flavour notes that are generally associated with Sun Moons and nothing unique or surprising – sweet, smooth, honey and baked bread notes with just a hint of that characteristic wintergreen note.

I’ve never whole heartedly agreed with that note comparison though – sure, I’ve had teas (like this one) that have the sweetness and crispness of wintergreen but I don’t think I’ve ever tasted a Taiwanese black tea and though “mint notes”. So for me it’s one of those flavour descriptors that’s similar but not spot on – like, overlapping aspects of wintergreen…

Friendly reminder that I do not numerically rate DAVIDsTEA blends as I’m currently employed there and it would be an obvious conflict of interest. Any blends you see with numerical ratings were rated prior to my employment there. These reviews are a reflection of my personal thoughts regarding the teas, and not the company’s.