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This is my first Whispering Pines blended tea. It’s a very well balanced blend of two black teas from notable Chinese regions: Fujian Xiao Zhong and Yunnan Dian Hong. Instead of writing a review about my first tasting, I’ve waited until after enjoying all 4 oz. of my initial C.M. order. So this initial review is also a sipdown and is thus based on many cups of this excellent tea.

I brewed it using the following Western brewing parameters:

2g / 3 min / 205F / 8 oz: A little lighter-bodied for my taste.

3g / 3 min / 205F / 8 oz: These parameters are how I brewed the majority of my 4 oz. stash. Amber colored. Definite Chocolate aroma that’s strong enough to be appreciated when standing at the kitchen counter! A smooth medium-bodied (but fuller-bodied than Laoshan Black) blended black tea. Flavor: chocolate, toasted rustic bread, honey, malt. There’s a definite fruity note (apricot?) with a marvelous creamy finish. Near the bottom of the now cooler cup, the malty flavor is a more pronounced and there is a cocoa aftertaste.

5-min. resteep: Still enjoyable but lighter-bodied than the original steep with a similar flavor profile. However, the chocolate is not as pronounced and the creamy finish is diminished. Some of the twice-brewed leaves are now fully open.

8-min. resteep: Light-amber color with minimal aroma. Light-bodied. I let it steep another two minutes.

10-min. resteep: Light to medium-amber with minimal aroma. Light to medium-bodied with a similar flavor profile to the 1st resteep. This cup is enjoyable but definitely not as much as the original steep. The 3x-brewed leaves are now fully open.

3g / 5 min / 205F / 8 oz: More full-bodied and very enjoyable. My cup was empty before I knew it. However, with a 5-min. steep, the malty flavor overwhelms the subtle fruity nuances, thus they’re not as apparent. There is a definite unsweetened cocoa aftertaste.

5-min. resteep: Light-bodied.

10-min. resteep: Light to medium-bodied. With a 5-min first steep, there is not too much left for a resteep.

2.6g (All the N.W. that was left!) / 5 min / 205F / 8 oz: Full-bodied and very enjoyable with a marvelous creamy finish to the sip. None of the flavors were overshadowed by a dominant flavor. My cup was empty before I knew it! I wish I had discovered these parameters sooner. To my taste buds, this is the full-bodied version of 3g / 3 min. There’s a less pronounced unsweetened cocoa aftertaste that persists on the tongue. There was zero bitterness or astringency. The once brewed leaves were now fully open.

I especially enjoy teas with a natural rich chocolate flavor as opposed to natural unsweetened cocoa profile. Given my preferences, my two favorite Western brewing parameters to date were:
- 3g / 3 min / 205F / 8 oz.: Fuller-bodied than 2g and the fruity note (apricot?) was more apparent.
- 2.6g / 5 min / 205F / 8 oz.: Full-bodied with a less obvious cocoa aftertaste.

Impression: An excellent unflavored blended Chinese black tea especially for those who enjoy a wonderful chocolate aroma and flavor with a cocoa aftertaste. And who doesn’t like chocolate? : – ) !

Well done Brenden! Thanks also for your superb customer service!

Method:
RO water re-mineralized with an Aptera filter http://steepster.com/teas/teaware/39532-puregen-aptera-alkamag-water-filter
http://steepster.com/teas/teaware/37731-my-weigh-durascale-d2-660-digital-scale
Brewed western-style conveniently using a digital variable-temp electric kettle in a tempered tea mug with a brew basket:
http://steepster.com/teaware/bonavita/39130-1-liter-variable-temperature-digital-electric-gooseneck-kettle
http://steepster.com/teaware/royal-albert/45581-old-country-roses-afternoontea-mugs
http://steepster.com/teas/teaware/29177-finum-brewing-basket
http://steepster.com/teaware/teavana/39312-perfect-preset-tea-timer