When the weather drops, so increases my fermentation craving. Plus this had my favorite kinds of blacks. Will add notes soon….
Now for the notes.
Lapsang Souchong (Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong) 4/5 Stars
I wasn’t sure if this was a smoked tea. Tasting it, maybe, but it’s got more vibes of an unsmoked one. Fruity, smooth, malty, silky with red plum notes, maybe a little bit of smoke and citrus. No astringency western. Brewed 3 times. Very good.
Golden Peony Black Tea 3-4/5
I’ve had this one in its own review. Extremely buttery and floral.
Earl Grey-3/5
Earl Grey typical bergamot. Bordering on a lime taste, but more bitter and malty. A little smokey. Couldn’t get past steep 2. Very good, but way more brisque.
Golden Eyebrow (Jin Jun Mei) 4.5/5
Easy favorite. Scotch, malt, cocoa, caramel, bready notes, and smooth florals. Soooo goood.
Lychee Black Tea 4/5
One of my favorites I have my own box of.
Osmanthus Black Tea 2/5
Peachy and floral. I’m not a huge fan of osmanthus black teas. I tried to get into it, but this kind of scented tea tastes like hot sprite to me. Smooth and floral and great black tea base, but not my preference.
Rose Black Tea-3/5
Very similar to the lychee tea. Fruity, but heady and almost perfumy. The black tea balances it out with silky malt like the osmanthus tea, but I like the rose more, almost higher than the jasmine black that I also really like.
The jin jun mei was the top. All of these teas were sachets, and I feel like I was drinking what I crave in a black tea with the Jin Jun Mei. I’d get a box of this one. I highly recommend this sachet sampler for Chinese Black Tea Snobs.