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This black tea is one of a number of unique African teas What-Cha sources from the Satemwa Tea & Coffee Estate in the Shire Highlands of Malawi. This particular tea is produced exclusively from leaves Satemwa buys from Yamba, one of the local tea farmers. I found it to be a smooth, malty black tea ideal for early morning or afternoon consumption.

I brewed this tea Western style. I steeped 3 grams of loose tea leaves in approximately 8 ounces of 203 F water for 4 minutes. I did not attempt additional infusions.

Prior to infusion, the dry tea leaves emitted a leafy, malty aroma. After infusion, I easily detected aromas of malt, toast, cream, caramel, sorghum molasses, and orange. In the mouth, I picked up distinct notes of orange, toast, caramel, cream, malt, and sorghum molasses balanced by traces of leather, black cherry, and wood. What-Cha advertised this tea as possessing a distinct impression of honey, but I failed to get that out of it.

Many of the African black teas I have tried have been very hit or miss for me, but this one I greatly enjoyed. I found it to be a smooth, rich, malty tea with considerably more depth and complexity than expected. I think fans of maltier black teas like Assam would find quite a bit to like about this one.

Flavors: Caramel, Cherry, Cream, Leather, Malt, Molasses, Orange, Toast, Wood

Preparation
4 min, 0 sec 3 g 8 OZ / 236 ML
Show 5 previous comments...
Evol Ving Ness 8 years ago

This one is very very tempting. (But the last few months have been killers on my tea budget. Killers.)

Teatotaler 8 years ago

Oh yes! I’m about to place a What-Cha order and I ’m very tempted to add this one as well.

eastkyteaguy 8 years ago

Teatotaler, I think one’s enjoyment of this tea will depend largely on how one feels about black teas on the maltier end of the spectrum. I think that if you enjoy orthodox Assams or African black teas, then you will likely enjoy this one.

Teatotaler 8 years ago

I adore malty orthodox Assams and African black teas. Thank you, eastkyteaguy. I always enjoy your reviews!

eastkyteaguy 8 years ago

Thank you, Teatotaler. I appreciate the kind words. If you end up trying this one, please let me know what you think.

Teatotaler 8 years ago

I will most gladly do that, eastkyteaguy.

Evol Ving Ness 8 years ago

I adore malty orthodox Assams and African black teas. Thank you, eastkyteaguy. I always enjoy your reviews!

Yes, exactly that. On all counts. I like to settle into your reviews with a nice cup of tea, not the one you are writing about though, to luxuriate in the tea you are on about.

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Comments

Evol Ving Ness 8 years ago

This one is very very tempting. (But the last few months have been killers on my tea budget. Killers.)

Teatotaler 8 years ago

Oh yes! I’m about to place a What-Cha order and I ’m very tempted to add this one as well.

eastkyteaguy 8 years ago

Teatotaler, I think one’s enjoyment of this tea will depend largely on how one feels about black teas on the maltier end of the spectrum. I think that if you enjoy orthodox Assams or African black teas, then you will likely enjoy this one.

Teatotaler 8 years ago

I adore malty orthodox Assams and African black teas. Thank you, eastkyteaguy. I always enjoy your reviews!

eastkyteaguy 8 years ago

Thank you, Teatotaler. I appreciate the kind words. If you end up trying this one, please let me know what you think.

Teatotaler 8 years ago

I will most gladly do that, eastkyteaguy.

Evol Ving Ness 8 years ago

I adore malty orthodox Assams and African black teas. Thank you, eastkyteaguy. I always enjoy your reviews!

Yes, exactly that. On all counts. I like to settle into your reviews with a nice cup of tea, not the one you are writing about though, to luxuriate in the tea you are on about.

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Bio

My grading criteria for tea is as follows:

90-100: Exceptional. I love this stuff. If I can get it, I will drink it pretty much every day.

80-89: Very good. I really like this stuff and wouldn’t mind keeping it around for regular consumption.

70-79: Good. I like this stuff, but may or may not reach for it regularly.

60-69: Solid. I rather like this stuff and think it’s a little bit better-than-average. I’ll drink it with no complaints, but am more likely to reach for something I find more enjoyable than revisit it with regularity.

50-59: Average. I find this stuff to be more or less okay, but it is highly doubtful that I will revisit it in the near future if at all.

40-49: A little below average. I don’t really care for this tea and likely won’t have it again.

39 and lower: Varying degrees of yucky.

Don’t be surprised if my average scores are a bit on the high side because I tend to know what I like and what I dislike and will steer clear of teas I am likely to find unappealing.

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