My samples arrived today from Fong Mong and of course I was excited and had to try one immediately. :)
I used about 3g of tea in a 10 oz. mug, steeped Western style, my tea liquor is dark orange.
This tea has a nice flavor profile, to me it seems malty with some cocoa and flowery notes and a quality that reminds me a bit of red wine. As the cup cools I am getting a lot of tannins which is definitely not something I look for in a tea because it makes my stomach feel queasy.
At the moment I am not quite sure what to make of it but I think I will try a shorter steep in the morning and perhaps that will improve things for me.
I am very grateful for the sample!
Preparation
People who liked this
Comments
How would you say this compares to other SML you’ve had?
I believe the only other Taiwan black tea I’ve had was from Asha Tea House and they called it a Ruby Black.
Oh, I thought you had tasted some. I suppose it’s hard for me to remember with so many ppl on Steepster XD
I got this one today too-can’t wait to try it.
Us tea folks are so easily excitable. ;-)
Sun Moon Lake, Ruby Black, and Ruby 18 are all the same tea. Rather than a blend of teas, it is a hybrid tea bush of an assamica varietal and a Taiwanese varietal. Fong Mong put a link to “The Splendid Table” feature that was on NPR over a year ago about it. Sandy introduced me to Ruby 18, and it is still a favorite. I think it was one of the first teas I drank without additions, and the first black tea that I could resteep and really be satisfied with!
@ashmanra, thanks for the info. It does seem like there is something very assam-y about this tea. To that end, I may try it with some soymilk too. :)
I can send you some of my Ruby 18 to compare! I think I still have your address. Black Ruby that Paul M Tracy sent me was the same thing, but far richer with a dark, deep raisin-y flavor. Alas, it is no longer available!
Sure and I can send you the one I got from Asha, if you’d like. :)
How would you say this compares to other SML you’ve had?
I believe the only other Taiwan black tea I’ve had was from Asha Tea House and they called it a Ruby Black.
Oh, I thought you had tasted some. I suppose it’s hard for me to remember with so many ppl on Steepster XD
I got this one today too-can’t wait to try it.
Us tea folks are so easily excitable. ;-)
Sun Moon Lake, Ruby Black, and Ruby 18 are all the same tea. Rather than a blend of teas, it is a hybrid tea bush of an assamica varietal and a Taiwanese varietal. Fong Mong put a link to “The Splendid Table” feature that was on NPR over a year ago about it. Sandy introduced me to Ruby 18, and it is still a favorite. I think it was one of the first teas I drank without additions, and the first black tea that I could resteep and really be satisfied with!
@ashmanra, thanks for the info. It does seem like there is something very assam-y about this tea. To that end, I may try it with some soymilk too. :)
I can send you some of my Ruby 18 to compare! I think I still have your address. Black Ruby that Paul M Tracy sent me was the same thing, but far richer with a dark, deep raisin-y flavor. Alas, it is no longer available!
Sure and I can send you the one I got from Asha, if you’d like. :)