High Mountain Red Ai Lao Mountain Black Tea - Spring 2016

Thank you to Mackie for this sample. I think it was 2016 (could have been 2015 harvest?)

This is a really nice everyday drinker. Smooth, very flavourful, no hint of bitterness. There are no extremes in the flavour (nothing really stands out) but it tastes like a high quality Chinese black. I tried to pick out some tasting notes and couldn’t find anything. Extremely tasty and I will be buying some with my next order. Thank you for the chance to try this! I really like that is doesn’t overstep and its perfect as the morning’s first cup.

I’ve yet to sample any Yancha or Taiwanese black teas, so I can’t honestly say I taste their influence, even if there are similarities in production between these styles and the tea presently under consideration.

Steeped 8 times without a wash, starting from 10 seconds, increasing the steep time by 10 seconds as needed to preserve the character/color.

There is a distinctive aroma to the dried leaves, floral with hints of honey and something akin to leather or wood – difficult to place.

Gamboge liquor, with the same distinctive floral aroma as the dried leaf, joined now by some delicate but bright stone-fruit notes (nectarine), and a somewhat earthy finish with hints of nettle. Not quite sweet, though rounded and mellow throughout. Fairly rich mouth-feel, though I wouldn’t say “thick.” Very low astringency, this would probably work if prepared western-style as well.

Caffeine sneaks up on you – a fairly speedy cup.

Unique, well crafted, reasonably priced, though I doubt I would re-buy.

Lovely tea, as I expected from these Chinese blacks. The dry leaf smells like grapes and cranberries, and at this point I’m hoping I’ll finally be able to taste the fruitiness of a black tea that people keep talking about.

No such luck.

It’s still a lovely tea though. It’s sugary sweet, like honey. There is a slight hint of mineral and astringency I could do without. At this point, I’m starting to wonder if it isn’t just my extremely hard water that’s giving my tea that mineral taste.

The dominant flavor is an earthy sweet potato flavor with an underlying medium caramel. Soooo tasty.

This tea is very pleasant. Super smooth, with sweetness that reminds of nectar or fruit. But also with a satisfying richness . . . I would buy this tea again, it is unique and delightful!

Opening the bag, the scent took me by surprise. I couldn’t place the recognizable fragrance at first, but then it hit me… extra virgin olive oil. Might sound weird but its very inviting. Hitting the leaves with 90C water released a huge bloom of floral honey fragrance mixed with ripe fruit and hints of malt… really incredible. The flavor of the tea is delicate, sweet, fruity and smooth. Really enjoying this fresh.