78
drank Hao Ya 'A' by Harney & Sons
2816 tasting notes

Hmmm. I really haven’t been a huge fan of Keemuns in the past but I felt like I should try this sample again, plus I feel it’s good to broaden one’s horizons. When I look back on my tea tasting journey, I used to hate a lot of things which have recently grown on me.

This tea is very dark and I’m definitely getting the chocolate here. The aroma is a bit… interesting. Getting a bit of tobacco here, reminds me slightly of cigars and I’m also picking up on the smoke in the finish. It isn’t really a sweet kind of smoke like you might get with a lapsang, it’s more sturdy and earthy and as my cup cools I’m picking up on some bitterness so I’m going to try a shorter steep next time.

I know a lot of people love this one but I’m finding it a bit strong for me. I can definitely see why people put keemuns in breakfast blends, I think I might enjoy this more with a little something to help mellow it out. I definitely don’t hate it but I also don’t think it’s destined to become a favorite of mine.

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 15 sec
ScottTeaMan

Don’t give up on it. :))

TeaBrat

I am nothing if not persistent! :-P

SimplyJenW

It is so funny that you think this is strong and I have issue with the East Frisian. Do you add soy/almond milk to East Frisian?

TeaBrat

normally, yes but I don’t seem to like keemuns with soymilk…

Doug F

I’ve never tried a Hao Ya ‘A’ I hear they are wonderful, if you like Keemuns.

TeaBrat

Triumph – they are not my favorite for some reason but I suppose that’s ok. We can’t all love everything, :-P

ScottTeaMan

Amy, I think you would enjoy H & S Supreme Breakfast Blend. I remember it being a rather well balanced blend of Assam & Hao Ya B…….so you get some malt and some smoke. I really enjoyed it.

TeaBrat

I got a sample of their Supreme Breakfast with my last order so I suspect I’ll be trying it soon.

ScottTeaMan

I hope you enjoy it.

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Comments

ScottTeaMan

Don’t give up on it. :))

TeaBrat

I am nothing if not persistent! :-P

SimplyJenW

It is so funny that you think this is strong and I have issue with the East Frisian. Do you add soy/almond milk to East Frisian?

TeaBrat

normally, yes but I don’t seem to like keemuns with soymilk…

Doug F

I’ve never tried a Hao Ya ‘A’ I hear they are wonderful, if you like Keemuns.

TeaBrat

Triumph – they are not my favorite for some reason but I suppose that’s ok. We can’t all love everything, :-P

ScottTeaMan

Amy, I think you would enjoy H & S Supreme Breakfast Blend. I remember it being a rather well balanced blend of Assam & Hao Ya B…….so you get some malt and some smoke. I really enjoyed it.

TeaBrat

I got a sample of their Supreme Breakfast with my last order so I suspect I’ll be trying it soon.

ScottTeaMan

I hope you enjoy it.

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Bio

My profile pic is of a pink dahlia at Golden Gate Park.

Hobbies include: tea, making art, animals, vegan things, buddhism, nature, creativity, books, writing, cooking, meditation, yoga.

I am a fan of many different teas but my favorites are blacks and oolongs, chai, also like darjeeling and pu-erh. I’n always learning and expanding my horizons!

Dislikes include: bergamot, jasmine, highly tannic or bitter teas, overly judgmental and bitter people. :)

Live in San Francisco, I’m a SINK (single income, no kids) and love the urban life, but traveling out to the middle of nowhere is always fun too.

I tend to not drink things I know I will hate so a lot of my tea ratings are on the higher side. Here’s my rating system, sorta

95-100 I love this tea and would like to keep it around

94-90 An excellent tea which I may or may not repurchase

89-80 Pretty good, above average

79-70 Acceptable

69-60 Mundane – Will probably drink it if I have it

59-50 Ick

49 and below Nasty

Location

San Frandisco

Website

http://sanfrantea.teatra.de

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