The dry tea has a fragrant and fruity slightly charred aroma. Trust me—when I say “charred” I mean an accolade of the highest order!
I’ve fallen in love with smoky charred teas,
The full-bodied drink that never gets stale.
A Yunnan or Keemun will eternally please
Me and send my soul on a rhapsodic sail.
I don’t think my taste-buds and nose are discerning or well-developed enough to select the gradation between this and a Hao Ya A I recently sampled. I truly love these full-bodied teas. This is not nearly as smoky as a Lapsang Souchong, but it’s a bit seared with notes of chocolate and chestnut and date. I think I’m moving more and more in the direction of teas that are not blended by the tea-makers but that have some natural taste-treats from their surroundings of origin. Very well done! After I’ve sampled my various Keemuns I’ll have to break my “buying diet” and spring for a pound of this Hao Ya goodness.
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I am glad that you loved it- I ordered that one so I am looking forward to it….
I’ve been debating about these. Keemun appeals to me quite a bit, and I’m so intrigued by oolongs that I always forget to try new keemuns, so…this is a good reminder! I’m with you, though…the flavor of tea as tea is so varied and amazing that flavored tea is really a completely different experience. I don’t really compare the two — one is good for cravings, perhaps…but nothing, to me, quite compares to the incredible depth of really good leaf, as a tea-drinking experience.
sophistre, I totally agree with your comment. :)
And this is going on my to-buy list right now! mmm
Yeah, this is a really good tea. I may even prefer it to the Hao Ya A. Excellent review!
I am glad that you loved it- I ordered that one so I am looking forward to it….
I’ve been debating about these. Keemun appeals to me quite a bit, and I’m so intrigued by oolongs that I always forget to try new keemuns, so…this is a good reminder! I’m with you, though…the flavor of tea as tea is so varied and amazing that flavored tea is really a completely different experience. I don’t really compare the two — one is good for cravings, perhaps…but nothing, to me, quite compares to the incredible depth of really good leaf, as a tea-drinking experience.
sophistre, I totally agree with your comment. :)
And this is going on my to-buy list right now! mmm
Yeah, this is a really good tea. I may even prefer it to the Hao Ya A. Excellent review!