Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Williamson Tea
Tea Description:
Our take on the classic English Breakfast. Kenyan Earth is named after the coppery red soils that symbolize Kenya and this bright, brisk cup of tea. Grown on the high altitude slopes of Kapchorua and picked in the early morning sunshine our Kenyan Earth is an awakening, full bodied liquor that stimulates the body and mind.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Before you read my review. You have to take a look at the tea tin this tea comes in. That tin is gorgeous! Makes me want to place several orders for the tins alone. Not sure what I would do with them but who cares, they are stunning 🙂
Ok, the tea geek out is over and we can move on to the tea itself. Ha!
Williamson Tea is a tea I’ve never tried before. I’ve see and heard other reviews and pictures of their tea before but I just haven’t ever ordered from them. I have a feeling that is soon to change.
This particular Snowflake Kenyan Earth tea that I tried was tea bagged form and I have to say, you could see some pretty huge tea leaves hanging out in each tea pyramid. The tea itself has a nice sweetened aroma which I found a little difference since this is supposed to be a breakfast tea. Typically those tend to be a bit more malty and astringent.
Brewed this up with water freshly boiled and allowed the tea to sit a tad too long, totally my bad, multi-tasking failed me! But after what I’m guessing was about a 7 minute steep, I took my first sip.
For being a tea that I oversteeped, you really couldn’t tell at all! This tea was delicious at all fronts. Malty and rich with a slightly earth flavor here and there. This is the kind of tea that kicks your taste buds into gear! So rich and indulging. The tea was on the point of asking for a touch of cream or milk to really drink it proper. Towards the end while it cooled and became astringent (drink this one up hot if you don’t like astringent teas), there seemed to be a need for sweetening but wow. What a lovely tea to really give me a change of pace from the flavored teas I have been drinking. I’m not sure where that sweetness was coming from when I first checked the tea out but I have to say, this cuppa was just fantastic.
This is the kind of tea you want to greet you first thing in the morning!
Organic Breakfast from TeaBox
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: TeaBox
Tea Description:
A harmonious blend, this is the kind of tea you turn to when you need a hearty cup before the start of a day.
Beaming with smooth, sweet flavors of dates and honey, and refreshing bite of coriander, every sip satiates you a little more than the next. It has just the right amount of astringency to toggle the smoothness of the tea without distorting the balance, rendering, thus, a gratifying experience.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Organic Breakfast Tea from TeaBox is much more than an average Breakfast Tea. It may just be one of the BEST Breakfast’s I’ve ever tried to date! And speaking of dates…this tea has lovely date notes to it! The black tea base is malty, woodsy-sweet, date-like, fairly astringent (but in a good way), and of medium strength as far as black teas go! It has a tad of a spice to it as well and after seeing the flavor profile on their website it totally makes sense to me that those notes are comparable to coriander.
As far as the color is concerned it is a rich amber that is really brilliant! The aroma also has a hint of tulsi or basil-broth liking to it post-infusion. If you are looking for a robust breakfast tea offering try Organic Breakfast Tea from TeaBox. It’s a tea that excels in the breakfast bunch!
Keemun Tea from Red Blossom Tea Company
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Red Blossom Tea Company
Tea Description:
Developed by a Chinese mandarin in 1875 to satiate the increasing demand for tea in Europe, Keemun quickly became the primary tea export of late 19th century imperial China. Today, it is a key component in traditional English Breakfast blends, but usually used in smaller quantities because of its cost relative to lower grade Indian Assams.
Our Keemun comes from Anhui Province, China. The leaves were harvested from a tea garden in the county of Qimen. Once harvested the leaves are cut to increase the rate of oxidation, a process that creates the rich mahogany color of the tea.
This is a good everyday breakfast tea. Its dark mahogany color, honeyed aroma and floral character makes a lighter brew than Indian blends, but the heartiness of this tea means it could hold up well to high temperature English style brewing.
We selected our Keemun for its heavier, deeper character. As a breakfast tea, it can be brewed to upwards of five minutes and can (if you like) be served with a bit of milk and sugar. We prefer a more straightforward approach, steeped in either a gaiwan or a small tea pot.
To do so, use 3.5 grams of tea leaves, brewed at 200 degrees Give the tea an initial 1 second rinse, then proceed to steep for 1 minute 30 seconds. Steep the second infusion for 1 minute 20 seconds. For subsequent brews, increase steep time in 30 second increments.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Keemun Tea from Red Blossom Tea Company is the tea of the moment here at Sororitea Sisters. I’ve had this tea on and off in my collection for a few years now and don’t know why I haven’t reviewed it until now. Perhaps it’s because I’m finally finishing off what I have in my current stash and don’t know when I will come across it again. Perhaps it’s just the right time for a review of a mighty fine Keemun here on our site. Either way…here it goes!
When I say Keemun Tea from Red Blossom Tea Company is a good, solid ‘middle of the road’ tea I’m saying that with the utmost respect! This is a dandy of a tea, indeed! It’s of great quality and the flavor very pleasing to the tongue, tummy, and soul! Maybe the phrase ‘middle of the road’ better describes the strength of the Keemun as a black tea base as it isn’t overpowering nor is it weak. It’s ‘just right’. Notes of flowers and honey really make this flavor shine!
Keemun Tea from Red Blossom Tea Company is a great staple to have in your personal tea collection and/or stash if you enjoy various black teas. If you come across this one – give it a try!
Fancy French Breakfast from Full Leaf Tea Co.
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Full Leaf Tea Co.
Tea Description:
A unique blend of extra strong full bodied black teas and sweet vanilla. A great way to start your morning or enjoy throughout the day.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Can you say Vanilla love? This tea has such a natural vanilla sweet aroma to the dry leaf mixture. The mixture reminded me of one of those high end vanilla candles. Such a creamy natural vanilla fragrance.
I brewed this up with the help of my Breville One Touch on the black setting-medium steeping time. (212F-2min) I poured myself a cuppa and sat down to enjoy this treat.
And what a treat this is! I am in love with the rich vanilla notes backed up with this delicious smooth malty black tea that just creates a delicious cuppa. This is a fancy breakfast tea indeed! The vanilla brings the breakfast tea blend a nice natural sweetness with no chemical or fake aftertaste that I sometimes get from other vanilla flavored teas. The black tea background has just such a wonderful malty goodness that I adore.
Fancy Breakfast Blend is a great treat to start your day off or even give you a kick during those afternoon slumps. Full Leaf Tea Co brought their “tea” game again! Nice job Matt & the rest of the gang at Full Leaf Tea Co.!
Breakfast Americano Black from Simple Loose Leaf
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Simple Loose Leaf
Tea Description:
A blended black tea with smooth cocoa beans gives a rich and malty cup of tea. Breakfast Americano makes an amazing start to your day and we recommend you try it with a touch of steamed milk.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Still on my Epic Sipdown Journey, I came across this fellow who I bought from other Steepster friend in a Stash Sale a while ago. I’ve had a few Simple Loose Leaf blends before so I was looking forwarded to this one.
I have to admit right off the bat, I think I steeped this guy wrong. The whole description of this tea doesn’t match what I’m drinking. The description is a malty rich cocoa like black tea. Exactly what the dry mixture smells like. When I brewed this up like a black tea with water at 212F and 3 min, I got a very smoky malty tea with no hints of cocoa beans and a very astringent finish. This is a new tea cup and tea pot that I hadn’t used before so I’m very curious on how this happened.
I think even if the smoky notes weren’t there, this wouldn’t be the tea for me. There is an overwhelming amount of malty notes and nothing but the astringency to offset them. I wish I could get those cocoa beans to pop.
My apologizes to Simple Loose Leaf. I think I royally screwed up this tea and won’t be able to give you the proper review. Maybe another time I’ll get this right and we can try this again!