429 Tasting Notes
This is my first and not my last foray into Ceylon tea. The only Ceylons ( I almost typed Cylons) I have drank have been in tea bag form. This is a mellow buttery smooth tea. The tea has a sweetness to it, not bitter, and has a light astringency. The label says to steep for 3-5 minutes, next time I try 3 to see If I can find some of the citrus notes this tea is supposed to have.
Preparation
This is a very unusual tea for me. It tastes like a light yunnan with some fruity notes. It really leaves my mouth dry and does have some bitterness with a light astringency. As it cools I get a kind of medicine aftertaste. I usually like yunnan teas but I really don’t like this one. It may be the darjeeling. I’ll try some diferent parameters to see if I can make it drinkable.
Preparation
I had been wondering about this one … thanks for intrepidly exploring it! Sounds like the Darjeeling-Yunnan marriage is a rather uneasy one.
Robert Fortune blend you say!?!?! It’s a shame that it isn’t more to your taste (we share tastes so it is probably not to my taste either!).
I’m going to add some Lapsang Souchong and some Oolong to it to see if I can make something drinkable out of it. I just don’t play well with Darjeeling teas.
This is a robust, brisk, malty, and downright delicious tea. Its an orthodox mixture of assam teas. It really is an eye opener. I detect only a touch of bitterness and astringency. Here in Maine its a very ugly chilly rainy day and this tea is just perfect for it. I like this tea and I’m happy I ordered 1/4 pound instead of a sample. Its right up there with River Shannon on my list.
2.5g/8oz
Preparation
Bummer…I love smoky teas and this one just wasn’t. It tastes like a blend of oolong, keemun and darjeeling. I would say that this tea is an afternoon tea. It really wasn’t robust or brisk enough for breakfast. However, this is not a bad tea. It has a nice light mouthfeel and fruity notes. It has a sweetness to it and is a tea I would drink again, but not one of my favorites. I may add some Lapsang Souchong to it to see what happens.
2.5g/8oz
Preparation
This tea is in small little pellets like grapenuts. It is a bold, robust, and chewy tea with a caramel note at first sip. I was really surprised at this tea. There was no bitterness and a touch of astringency. I got more caramel notes as the tea cooled. Yes, this is a CTC tea but it just amazed me with the taste.
Preparation
Now this is an interesting tea. Its brisk and robust without the bitterness or astringency. Its more mellow than River Shannon thanks to the added yunnan tea. This tea has plenty of malty notes. I have to agree with Morgana, she hit this tea right on the nose with her tasting note. Read her tasting note as I really can’t add any more.
Preparation
Yes..Yes..Yes.. I finally got this tea back in my cupboard. I hope 1/2 pound will last me a while. This is an excellent bold and robust breakfast tea. It doesn’t have a lot of bitterness and just a tad astringency. A fantastic tasting hot tea that also makes a very good iced tea.
2.5g/8oz
The only Ceylon I’ve tasted lately is Upton’s Kenilworth, which was lovely. I gave it to my mom because she takes her tea without milk, and I think this one (and maybe most Ceylons) is best enjoyed that way.
I see you’re doing a lot of Upton sampling, Dan. Now that it’s payday, I need to place a big sample order and do the same!
I really like the prices of Upton’s samples. I ordered my staples (River Shannon and 3 others) and then proceeded to add about 15 samples to the order.