This is another of the teas my daughter bought for me in New York a couple of weeks ago. I was sure I had reviewed it!
This is a stronger and heartier tea than the Qimen Imperial, a slightly lower grade that is closer to the breakfast tea variety. They recommend 195F water and 3 to 5 minutes. At this temp and four minutes you get a great breakfast tea that will get stronger as it sits. It is good without milk or sugar, but can easily handle both if that’s how you roll.
This is only slightly smokey, with an earthy cocoa taste. It is not one of the winey tasting ones to me. My youngest daughter drinks this one with me but she does prefer the Imperial. Of course she does, it costs triple what this one costs! Ha!