Another superbly wonderful tea from Whispering Pines. I’m adding my review here as I believe I have the old version. It seems sad to say that, because I’m enjoying this cup immensely. Still, seasons change and all that. Clearly I’ll have to try the new version to compare!
Anyway, the tea. I used 1.5 tsp of leaf, and gave it three minutes in boiling water. I added a splash of milk (just the tiniest one, though!) The scent of the dry leaf is wonderfully chocolatey, like opening a tin of cocoa powder and taking a sniff.
To taste, this is probably the nicest quality black blend I’ve tried in a good long while. The initial flavour is chocolate; quite dark and rich, but with a deliciously smooth, creamy edge. A mild fruitiness emerges in the mid-sip, initially cherry (chocolate covered cherry, anyone?), but ultimately turning more towards apricot. It’s light, fruity, and juicy-tasting, and the perfect counterpoint to the chocolate/cream richness of the initial sip. The end of the sip is heavily malty, with all the sweetness that implies, with a touch of honey. It’s also gloriously smooth. The chocolate flavour lingers in the aftertaste, making this an almost decadent treat. I consider my morning thoroughly brightened! This one is definitely going on my shopping list!
Preparation
People who liked this
Comments
Do you know when you ordered this? I’d be able to find out if it was an old or new one. :-)
Are the two versions significantly different from each other?
@Dustin, the old version was, in my opinion, pretty bland. To be honest I didn’t enjoy it at all, haha. I spent about 8 months searching for the right dian hong to replace the one in it with, and when I finally found it, North Winds became my absolute favorite tea. I pretty much drink it daily, which says a lot because I generally drink 3 or less teas each day. :-)
I can see if I still have the invoice…
I just looked it up! :-) It’s possible that you have the new one, but hard to tell. Around the end of June I started putting the new version in sample packs, so it’s likely you got the new one, but who really knows? :-P
I liked it anyway :)
:D woot! I’m glad :)
Do you know when you ordered this? I’d be able to find out if it was an old or new one. :-)
Are the two versions significantly different from each other?
@Dustin, the old version was, in my opinion, pretty bland. To be honest I didn’t enjoy it at all, haha. I spent about 8 months searching for the right dian hong to replace the one in it with, and when I finally found it, North Winds became my absolute favorite tea. I pretty much drink it daily, which says a lot because I generally drink 3 or less teas each day. :-)
I can see if I still have the invoice…
I just looked it up! :-) It’s possible that you have the new one, but hard to tell. Around the end of June I started putting the new version in sample packs, so it’s likely you got the new one, but who really knows? :-P
I liked it anyway :)
:D woot! I’m glad :)