Tang Yang Gong Fu

I don’t think this is a complex – best black ever – type of tea. What it is is delish. Bitter cocoa, a little sweet stone fruit, some malt, and everything else a good China Black should be. It’s making me happy this morning.

Thanks so much scribbs! this was an excellent sample of an excellent and classic Chinese red. I had fun drinking it! The tea was gracious enough to brew up all of it’s goodness slowly, letting me enjoy every last drop to it’s fullest. The soup was thick and brothy, and a brilliant red. The taste was heavy in my mouth, and the flavors lasted long after each sip. I got no astringency whatsoever, it was so even and smooth. The aroma is similar to fresh baked whole wheat bread, with perhaps some dried fruit snuck inside. Upon further inspection, I detect creamed honey and thick malt coating my throat. It still retains that bread quality without becoming like crunchy old toast. This would make for an excellent breakfast tea!

See my review here:
http://sororiteasisters.com/2015/04/17/tangyang-gongfu-black-tea-tao-tea-leaf/

Another tea from dexter I’m on a mission today to get through at least 10 sipdowns so there will be good times ahead! She sent this one along because it’s one of a small few black teas from tao that i haven’t tried. I figured this would be nice to try shortly after nannuoshan’s similar tea.

Verdict? boooooooring! There is nothing inspiring about this tea or anything that makes me want to order it. It’s just sort of an every day boring black tea. And who has tie for boring!? not me! lol there’s a bit of maltiness to this one, and it IS a smooth tea. it’s just not anything special. I vastly prefer the other teas from tao that i’ve tried.

I would best describe this tea as slightly malty, slightly bitter, and slightly sweet. There seems to be no one dominant note to this tea but a nice blend. Bought a sample of this with our group order from last month and am just now getting around to trying it. I think I am glad I don’t have 100g. I don’t like it that much. That being said its not bad, just not my favorite style of tea.

I brewed this one time in an 18oz teapot with 3 tsp leaf and boiling water for 2 min.

Well, I had a selection from Blodeuyn’s swap, now there must be a contender from scribbles’s! Just kidding, ladies. :P But for serious, this came from scribbles. I’ve had a Tan Yang from TeaVivre, so I was curious to see how this one compares to it. The leaves are small, thin, and slightly curly. They’re dark chocolate brown all over with just a few smatterings of gold. Dry scent is very musty hay and grain with a touch of honey sweetness. I steeped a heaping teaspoon of leaf for 3 minutes at 200 degrees.

Once brewed, it smells like dark toasted wheat bread with molasses and fruit preserves. As it cooled, I started to smell a very slightly floral note. Yum, this tea is so rich and creamy! It’s very grainy (oats?) and pastry-like with a strong nutty influence. It’s definitely a richer nut, maybe macadamia? I dunno, but it’s tasty! There’s also sweetness with a touch of floral, like wildflower honey. And perhaps the teensiest touch of golden raisin? Lastly, a very mild herb/spice note, something similar to cinnamon or anise, but it’s hard to say since it’s so light. Delicious, creamy goodness!

Scribbles, this is superb. No, superlative. Dry in the pouch, it smells like bitter cocoa; steeped at 3 minutes, it’s pale autumn-leaf gold with a smooth, heavy texture and a lovely malty vibe. Second steep was equally good; going for three!