looseTman Send Message

This morning, courtesy of Alistair Rea of What-Cha, I brewed Assam 2nd Flush 2014 STGFOP-1 Black Tea Western style: 2 tsp. (3g) / 8 oz / 203*F / 2 & 3 min. without sweeteners, milk, or cream. This was a free sample that was included with my first order.

Leaf: Fine mostly chocolate brown twisted 1 cm long or less
Fragrance: Notes of hay
Liquor: Beautiful brilliant clear moderately dark copper
Aroma: Mild hay & earth
Flavor: Fruity with a malty finish

2 min.: Lighter-bodied so I gave it another minute.

3-min.: A truly fruity Assam that’s velvety smooth and rich with a mildly malty finish. As one continues to sip, the finish becomes moderately malty. There was no bitterness or astringency.

4-min. re-steep: Still fruity, velvety smooth, and rich with a mildly malty finish.

Impression: A unique fruity Assam with a mild to moderate malty finish for those who like a change from the typical more robust Assam teas.

Thanks to Alistair Rea of What-Cha for this gracious Assam sample.

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

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

Sipdown
To my surprise there was enough Ming Hong for one last session. This time I was determined to follow the recommended brewing times.
Western style: 7.2g / 8 oz / 203*F / rinse, 20, 35, 50, 65 sec. without sweeteners, milk, or cream.

20 sec.: This cup was identical to the first cup from yesterday: http://steepster.com/looseTman/posts/295565.

35 sec.: This cup is identical to the flavor profile of the first steep, but it’s definitely richer . It’s very full-bodied without any astringency or bitterness. Wow, the second steep is a very satisfying morning cup! I suspect the rest period after the short 1st steep allows the wet leaves to produce a richer 2nd cup. As I near the bottom of this cup, the caramel finish now includes cocoa and persists long on the tongue. The final sip of the now cool mug has a hint of green beans.

50 sec.: This cup has the same flavor profile but is less full-bodied than the first cup and not as rich as the 2nd steep. As I near the bottom of the cup, the mild caramel finish no longer includes a strong aftertaste of cocoa.

65 sec.: The fourth cup had the same flavor profile as the 3rd steep, but was light to medium-bodied and definitely not as rich. As I near the bottom of the cup, the mild caramel finish no longer has a cocoa aftertaste. The leaves are now fully open, so I’ll stop here.

Comparison to yesterday’s results:
By following the recommended brewing times, the flavor of the leaves was better divided over the four cups. Additionally, the recommended times yielded the optimum balance of all the flavors, especially in the second cup. The dark chocolate didn’t overpower the other flavors of the second cup today as it had yesterday, which allowed me to fully appreciate the superb richness of today’s 2nd cup. It’s a shame that this is the end of my 4 oz. stash. I’ll be definitely watching Yezi’s sales.

Impression: A very complex-flavored creamy smooth tea that’s not to be missed!

Thanks to Boris of Yezi for his brewing recommendations of this superb tea!

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

I’m nearing the end of my 4 oz. stash of this very enjoyable complex Fujian tea. This morning, I brewed Ming Hong Black Tea from Yezi Western style: 7g / 8 oz / 203*F / rinse, 20, 35, 50 sec. without sweeteners, milk, or cream.

Leaf: Fine dark brown, tan, and golden twisted 2 cm long or less
Fragrance: Notes of hay
Liquor: Beautiful brilliant clear copper
Aroma: Sweet potatoes (as it cools)
Flavors: Baked Bread, Grain (barley?), Dark Chocolate, Sweet Potatoes, Malt, Creamy, Caramel, Green Beans

20 sec.: A wonderfully complex and very satisfying morning cup of Fujian tea with a wonderful sweet potato aroma! It’s a creamy-smooth, full-bodied tea without any astringency or bitterness. Notes of baked bread / grain (barley?), dark chocolate, malt, and sweet potatoes, are equally blended together with a mild caramel finish. It’s great to have one’s first 8 oz. cup of tea in the morning with so much flavor in only 20 seconds! Most black teas brewed Western-style require 3 to 5 minutes. Near the bottom of the now cool cup notes of green beans are apparent.

35 sec.: (Due to a momentary distraction, this was actually 45 sec.) This cup is very full-bodied without any astringency or bitterness. The same flavors as above are noted, but the dark chocolate is now stronger than all the others. Wow, this is a very satisfying morning cup! As I near the bottom of the second cup, the caramel finish now includes cocoa and persists long on the tongue.

50 sec.: Not quite, so I let it steep another 10 sec. This cup has the same flavor profile as the first cup, but a little less full-bodied.

75 sec.: The fourth cup was light to medium-bodied so I let it steep longer until it produced a medium-bodied cup, about two minutes. This cup had the same flavor profile as the original. Most of the leaves were now fully open, so I stopped here.

Impression: A very complex-flavored creamy smooth Fujian tea that’s not to be missed!

Thanks to Boris of Yezi for his brewing recommendations of this excellent complex tea!

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

A not bittersweet but Very Bittersweet Sipdown!

The pound of Laoshan Black I purchased on 8-15-13 is now gone and will surely be missed!!! I hope there’s another 25% off sale sometime in the near future!

Laoshan Black Tea – 2013 Late spring into early summer harvest
http://verdanttea.com/teas/laoshan-black/

1 TB (5g) / 8 oz. / 212 / 3, 6, & 12 min. without sweeteners, milk or cream.
3, 6, & 12 minutes yields three fuller-bodied & more satisfying cups than the suggested 3, 4, 6, & 8 brewing times. With 4 steeps, the 3rd & 4th cups are much lighter in body, especially so for the 4th cup.

Fragrance: Potent Chocolate!
Dry leaf: Impressive long twisted wiry dark chocolate brown leaves – simply beautiful!
Liquor: Clear bright mahogany red
Aroma: Wonderful, very POTENT Chocolate!
Infused Leaf: Greenish brown long whole leaves
Body: Full-bodied, but not as robust as a Mangalam Second Flush FTGFOP1 Assam or a Premium Keemun.

Impression: I’ve been enjoying multiple cups of the Laoshan Black this week. The understated chocolate/barley flavor is very well balanced and quite unique! There’s no hint of a bittersweet or unsweetened cocoa flavor. L.B. has a natural delicate sweetness and is creamy smooth, mellow, and relaxing without any hint of bitterness or astringency. Very well done Verdant! It’s easy to see why this is such a highly-rated tea

Previous reviews:
- http://steepster.com/looseTman/posts/219441
- http://steepster.com/looseTman/posts/215148
- http://steepster.com/looseTman/posts/191679

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 in a tempered tea mug with a brew basket 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/bonavita/39130-1-liter-variable-temperature-digital-electric-gooseneck-kettle
http://steepster.com/teaware/teavana/39312-perfect-preset-tea-timer

200 g. Sipdown: 1 tsp. (3g) / 8 oz. / 203F / 3 min.
I thoroughly enjoyed this robust, malty, full-bodied, creamy smooth Assam. A great “Good Morning” tea. Please see my original review: http://steepster.com/looseTman/posts/164482.
I won’t promptly restock as I’m currently well stocked, there are a few Chinese teas i enjoy more, & there are so many other black & pu’er teas I want to experience!

4 oz. Sipdown: I thoroughly enjoyed this caramel-flavored assam. Please see my previous review & its comments for brewing recommendations as appropriate parameters are essential to enjoy it: http://steepster.com/looseTman/posts/259294.
I won’t promptly restock as I’m currently well stocked, there are a few Chinese teas i enjoy more, & there are so many other black & pu’er teas I want to experience!

By upgrading from this kettle http://steepster.com/teaware/revere-ware/46814-classic-2-1-slash-3-quart-whistling-tea-kettle to the Bonavita, I feel like a time traveler who has left the Stone Age behind and I’m now light-years ahead!

This variable-temperature kettle is such a joyful convenience. Gone are the days of boiling and using a thermometer, then waiting for it to cool to the needed temperature. That’s OK for one cup. However, it’s a real pain for the multiple infusions of Gong Fu and even worse if you want to temper (pre-heat) your gaiwan, yixing, or cup before brewing! Also, being able to select any temperature from 140 to 212F is rather rare among current competing electric kettles and more expensive water boilers. Most only offer a few preset temperatures. The Bonavita will also hold your selected temperature for one hour with a touch of the Hold button.

The Bonavita also boils water much faster than our old stove-top kettle. It boils so fast (8 oz. tap water in 2 min. 41 sec.), that timer operation for that all-important first cup of the morning, while convenient, is not a necessity.

The trigger handle is very comfortable to hold and the attractive gooseneck spout pot is well-balanced for pouring. The controls are simple and intuitive to use. The display is very bright & distinct and provides a continuous real-time temperature readout. This model appears to be well-construted. Unlike a hot stove-top kettle, a hot Bonavita can be placed directly on a table as it has an insulated base.

Since an electric kettle is only used to heat water, rather than for brewing, there’s no possibility of a strong tea residue affecting the next pot of tea.

Overall, I’m very pleased with this variable-temperature kettle – Highly recommended!

Many thanks to all the following people who have posted very helpful comments or reviews on this variable-temp. kettle: Ashley, Cheri, Chris Van Patten, Dinosara, Kat_Maria, Kevin, Kokabel, Lion Repshire, Sarsonator, Stephanie, Tealizzy, Terri HarpLady, and TinaCHammonds.

New model suggestions:
1. As others have suggested, an audible tone (something melodious rather than a harsh beep or an adrenaline-inducing alert) to inform the user when the desired temperature has been reached would be helpful for faster-paced multi-tasking mornings. A quick glance at the temperature display is all that’s currently needed for this purpose.

2. A built-in count-down timer with a pleasant audible tone such as: http://steepster.com/teaware/teavana/39312-perfect-preset-tea-timer. The current count-up timer is a nice touch if you have the ability to watch it – on your desk where you’re working.

3. A hybrid model that would combine all the features of this model with a vacuum insulated teapot. The Bonavita version of a water boiler: http://steepster.com/teaware/zojirushi/39783-ve-r-hybrid-water-boiler-and-warmer-cv-dsc40-4-liters. When I recently contacted Zojirushi, they had no plans for a variable-temperature model.

This morning, courtesy of Aubrey at Arbor Teas, I’m very pleased and extremely fortunate to be the first to review Organic Hawaii Premium Black Tea, Western style: 8 oz. / 1.5 tbsp. (3.8 g) / 212*F / 3-5 min. without sweeteners, milk, or cream.

Intro: Per: http://www.arborteas.com/organic-hawaii-premium-black-tea.html
“… a rare, USA-grown organic tea.” “Cultivated on the shores of Hawaii, this tea is harvested and manufactured in micro-lots by the Onomea Tea Company on the Big Island.” “The handpicked, organic loose leaf tea is a blend of leaf from several different varietals and picking dates. After manufacture, the micro-lots are then hand blended …”

Leaf: Very long thick twisted dark chocolate-brown whole leaves 4 cm or less.
Fragrance: Rich pipe tobacco, straw/hay
Liquor: Brilliant clear medium copper
Aroma: Alluring chocolate
Flavor: Malted Chocolate!

3-min: Wow – This something special! It has a complex character – chocolate with perhaps hints of fruit. Medium-bodied – I’ll give it another minute.

4-min: Oh my! The additional minute has transformed this cup into a rich creamy smooth full-bodied black tea with incredibly deep rich malty milk chocolate! There was no hint of bitterness or astringency. Each sip was a genuine treat! So smooth, warm, and relaxing! Meg Ryan … has arrived once again! … As I smile from ear to ear!

Resteep
5-min: Not yet …
8-min: Malty chocolate that was almost as deep, extremely well-balanced, and highly enjoyable to the bottom of the cup. Ah …bliss.

2nd Resteep
8-min: Not yet …
16-min: A lighter-bodied enjoyable cup with same balanced flavor profile.

Impression: A creamy smooth full-bodied black tea with incredibly deep rich malty milk chocolate that will also go the distance! This black tea is thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended!

Many thanks to Aubrey at Arbor Teas for providing a generous sample of this incredible chocolaty organic Hawaiian blended black tea.

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 in a tempered tea mug with a brew basket 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

I’m very pleased to present a multi-morning review of No. 49 Assam FTGFOP1 from Steven Smith Teamaker, Western style without sweeteners, milk, or cream.

Intro: I confidently ordered this tea based on LiberTEAS excellent recommendations 2 years ago:
- http://steepster.com/LiberTEAS/posts/104708
- http://steepster.com/LiberTEAS/posts/135003

After placing my order, I saw that boychik cautioned 7 months ago that the recent batch of this tea maybe on the bitter side: http://steepster.com/boychik/posts/211831#comments. I then began to wonder … Does this Assam have a consistent taste profile from year to year? … Should I have blindly ordered 4 oz.?

Per: http://www.smithtea.com/shop/black/assam
“Preparation
For best flavor, bring freshly drawn filtered water to a boil. Steep five minutes. A good time to practice the sitar.”

Note: The incomplete instructions do NOT specify how much tea or water. Is one supposed to assume 1 tsp. (level, rounded, heaping?) and a 6 oz. teacup, an 8 oz. cup, or something larger?

Given boychik’s warning and the incomplete brewing instructions, I was now less certain how much I would enjoy this Assam.

Leaf: Thin twisted dark chocolate-brown leaves 1.5 cm long or less with many golden tips.
Fragrance: Rich high-quality pipe tobacco
Liquor: Clear brilliant copper
Aroma: Malt, caramel & sweet potato – ah!
Flavor: Malt, caramel, honey

1 tsp. (2.6 g) / 8 oz. / 212F / 5 min:
Aroma: Robust and malty.
This is a smooth, rich, malty and satisfying Assam. However, the malty flavor overshadowed any hint of caramel and there was woodiness at the end of the sip.

Having not yet achieved the same results as LiberTeas, I then looked at previous tasting notes for this Assam and tried the following brewing recommendations:

Scribbles: 1 tsp. (2.6g) / 8 oz. / “just off boiling” (I used 208F) / 5 min:
To my taste buds, the bold malty Assam still overshadows the caramel. Near the bottom of the cool cup, the sweet caramel was more obvious. There was a dry finish with some astringency near the front of my tongue. Fortunately, the woodiness was no longer present with the lower temperature.

Resteep:
6 & 7-min. – not yet. 8-min – ? 10-min. produced a light-bodied cup with a similar flavor profile.

Nicole: 1.5 tsp. (3.5 g) / 10 oz. / 205F / 2.5 min:
Aroma: Malt with hints of both caramel & sweet potato – ah!
This preparation provided a bold, rich, and malty with a definite caramel sweetness and a dry finish. The cup was very invigorating.

Terri HarpLady: 1 tsp. (2.6g) / 8 oz. / 212F / 3-4 min:
3 min. produced a rich, smooth, full-bodied malty Assam with a yummy caramel sweetness. There was no hint of bitterness and minimal astringency. As the cup cools there is a honey-like sweetness. Very satisfying! Now we’re talking!! Terri’s experience reviewing this tea 12 times truly paid off!

Resteep: Not recommended.

Impression: I’m very pleased to have finally found exactly what LiberTEAS so accurately described in her tasting note. No. 49 is apparently consistent and definitely Carmalicious!

Thanks to all who contributed detailed brewing tips in their tasting notes or the comments of the No. 49 Assam FTGFOP1 thread. Your guidance was very helpful for this tea especially given the incomplete brewing instructions.

Recommendation Not having to discover the optimum brewing parameters through “trial & error” would be very helpful and greatly appreciated. Having to do so is very inefficient, wastes valuable tea, and IMHO impairs the progress and joy of tea exploration. In retrospect, it’s a very good thing that I ordered 4 ounces!

My favorite tea suppliers evaluate each crop / batch of tea every year to determine the optimum brewing parameters. This insures the best possible first impression of their tea, greatly increases customer satisfaction, and thus increases word-of-mouth advertising – the best form of advertising that money can’t buy. You never have a 2nd chance to make an Outstanding First Impression.

Method:
RO water re-mineralized with an Aptera filter http://steepster.com/teas/teaware/39532-puregen-aptera-alkamag-water-filter
http://steepster.com/teaware/teavana/39311-perfect-tea-spoon
http://steepster.com/teas/teaware/37731-my-weigh-durascale-d2-660-digital-scale
Brewed western-style conveniently in a tea mug with a brew basket 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 (for 212F brewing)
http://steepster.com/teaware/davidstea/36677-thermometer-and-timer