Generally when someone says Yunnan I think Pu er.
So before I even looked at the leaf I figured that’s what this tea was. Even now while I write this and look at the leaves it looks like it could be. Tightly rolled leaves in various shades of brown.
When brewed the wet leaves have a musty, wet earth smell. It’s a relaxing smell in some ways.
Dark, clear amber liquor. An earthy brew with notes of cedar and wet forest floor.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Tea and Tins
Description
The principal growing regions in Yunnan are located in altitudes of 4,000 to 6,500 feet. At annual average temperatures between 53 F and 73 F, high-grade, black and green qualities are produced.
The very large portion of large, golden leaf tips gives the full sweet-spicy taste and malty, soft aftertaste to the Yunnan Imperial. The large leaf is dark, matt green and contains many bronze-colored tips, the infusion is heavy and dark
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Heritage Hard Water Tea from The Kent & Sussex Tea & Coffee Co.. . .
Here is an idea that was quite unique to me, though having looked into I see there are other companies doing this as well! This company is blending tea with the water of a specific area in mind, but I suppose that anyone who uses tap water for tea in a hard water area would benefit from buying a special blend like this, especially in an office where it would hard to keep spring water around.
First, this is true British builder’s tea. It is a blend of teas from Assam, India, Kenya, and Rwanda. It is listed as broken orange pekoe and was very fine when I measured it into my strainer. I was worried that a lot of tea dust was going to pass right through the mesh and leave me with bitter tea, but when I lifted the basket to check for dust in the pot, there was none. Hooray!
Since it was so fine, I only steeped for two minutes even though it says you can go as long as three. At two minutes, this is plenty strong enough for me. In fact, it was so dark it was scary! It almost looked thick when I poured it, so I warned my guests that it might be a tad strong. When they sipped, they said they liked it and had no problem with it. Nice!
I did not have to add milk, but it could very easily have handled it. I did not use sugar, but again, if that is how you take your breakfast tea you could easily enjoy it with sugar.
If you live in a hard water area and find that you water is keeping your tea from tasting “up to snuff”, and you are a fan of good, old-fashioned British builder’s tea, here is one for you to try. Tingle to the tongue, boot to the derriere, and out the door with you! Face the day!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: The Kent & Sussex Tea & Coffee Co.
Description
This blend of strong black teas has been mixed for your local tap water. Living in hard water areas can affect the taste of tea and the water, ensuring that you get a proper cup of tea.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Ruhuna Tea from Zesta Tea . . . . . .
The Ruhuna (sometimes spelled Ruhunu) tea from Zesta is part of their regional tea tasting set. This black tea came in a beautiful red patterned box, and I’m tempted to try the rest of their regional tea set just for the eye-catching packaging alone. Beneath the red box is a foil bag of tea, so I popped it open and started brewing.
The dry leaves were small and tightly rolled, almost like pellets. When I put my nose into the bag of tea the leaves were very fragrant, with both earthy almost-tobacco notes complimented by bright lemony scents.
In brewing, the leaves unfurled and quickly produced a dark and potent cup of tea. The taste is definitely that of a strong black tea, but not so strong that it makes your mouth pucker. This is where the Ruhuna blend stands out. It doesn’t have the fuzzy and chocolatey mouthfeel of some assam or malty breakfast teas. But it is not sharp or bitter like other brighter black teas I’ve tried, even after a longer steep time.
Ruhuna is powered by its citrus flavors, tasting as sunny and lemony as you can without adding flavoring or lemon peel to the tea. Beneath that first flush of lemon, there are sweeter orange notes, all supported by a a robust and figgy black tea base.
Sweet without being artificial, and bright without being too tart, it is easy to enjoy such an uplifting and drinkable tea.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Zesta Tea
Description:
Enjoy our regional tea packs featuring teas from five tea growing regions of Sri Lanka – Dimbula, Ruhuna, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Uva. This variety from such a small island is what made Ceylon tea famous – try it – from the low grown Ruhuna teas to the high grown Nuwara Eliya – a true journey in Ceylon tea, packaged in teabags for convenience and offered in a pine wood box. Perfect for gifting.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Midnight Black from Love Some Tea (LST). . . .
Do YOU have trouble sleeping if there aren’t the appropriate number of pillows around you, at the right fluffiness, in the right configuration? If you said YES, then I have a MORNING CAFFEINE SOLUTION FOR YOU:
Black Midnight by Love Some Tea!
This is a well-rounded no-nonsense straight black that has notes of wood and raisin and malt. It comes in beautiful long twists that feel like something a witch would pluck and drink while waiting for her eye of newt to cure.
And the caffeine! Ah! The caffeine! If you were that witch, up all night plotting where to put your hex symbols on the floor, this would perk you right back up. Your pointy hat would stand right on end.
I have taken the witch analogy too far. I now declare it over.
Anyway, there’s something to be said for a sturdy, all-business, get-it-done kick-in-the-pants brew. And this is just the thing.
Onwards and upwards, my darlings. It’s time to start the day.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Love Some Tea
Description
A tea as dark and flavorful as midnight itself. Our black tea is wild picked and fermented to a beautifully dark complexion with robust an bold flavor.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Harmutty Golden Delight Black Tea from Tea Swan. . . . .
You or someone you know is probably a tea fan – at least that is why I assume you have stopped by The Sororitea Sisters site today! But if you just happen to also be a wine fan you might also be smitten by this Harmutty Golden Delight Black Tea from Tea Swan review today.
Harmutty Golden Delight Black Tea from Tea Swan is a special variant of Assamese tea with golden-rimmed whole leaves that were picked during the 2nd flush. When the leaves are soaked in hot water – they make a bright copper concoction that smells of fine grapes. The fragrant tea leaves give an aroma of raisins and tobacco. The result? A brew that is rich and glows with a copper color. Upon my sip – I found this to be robust and noticed a mild – yet welcoming – astringency balanced by malty tones..
According to Tea Swan…Harmutty Golden Delight Black Tea of Assam is the healthiest choice for tea-lovers and pairs well with a hearty breakfast for a bold start to your day. I’d have to say that I agree!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Tea Swan
Description
This is a special variant of Assamese tea with golden-rimmed whole leaves. The leaves, picked during the 2nd flush, when soaked in hot water make a bright copper concoction that smells of fine grapes.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
