I have had this sample of Wild Black Tea/Dian Hong for quite some time now. I have taken it out to make it countless times and then got distracted by another tea and went that route instead.
Well, when I finally made it, I didn’t even drink it hot. My sister called to FaceTime me with her puppy and the call went for some time. The tea cooled. Yet when I did finally take my first sip, I quite liked it.
The tea is somehow both brisk and smooth at the same time. For me, briskness is usually synonymous with astringency but this tea managed to have one without the other. The good morning-pick-me-up without the bad bitterness. With that said, at times it can be drying but mostly it is a sweet honeyed malt.
Is this tea my favorite Dian Hong I have tried? No. But it is nice. A solid option.
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Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Teabook
Description
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Dian Hong Black Tea from Teabook
Hello Tea Friends!
Today I will be reviewing some Dian Hong Cha from Teabook. If you are new to tea then here is some translating: Dian – Shorter version of Yunnan, a province in China known for tea growing. Hong means red which refers to it’s colour, in China it’s known as red tea but in Western countries it’s a black tea. Cha literally means tea. So it’s Yunnan Red Tea. This tea is also known as Yunnan Black or Yunnan Red but as there are many different types of black/red teas produced in Yunnan it can be a little confusing using the generic naming. This is why Dian Hong is most commonly used for differentiation.
Personally I do love a nice Dian Hong, they tend to have more tippy golden buds in general, assuming it’s of a nice quality. For this I have no idea until I open it, so let’s get to it. Actually first before I rip the top off the sachet like a monkey peeling a banana let me mention the sachet itself, Teabook sell these sachets in pre weighed bags to make it easier for drinking and transportation. Each sachet is 3g.
Opening the packet I can see some thin, dark leaves with a couple of golden tips. Altogether 3g is around 10 pieces of loosely broken leaves. They bare a dry, wooden scent with some sweetness. I say 3g but the sachet weight is included in that too.
Steeping this Western style: 2-3g into a 320ml glass cup with infuser for 3 minutes boiling water. Usually I do three steeps with Dian Hong in a teapot but 3g is not enough for me to do that to my desired strength.
Once steeped the tea is golden red in colour and bares a very mild malt and wood scent.
Flavour is very mild at first, further sips reveal a hint of sweet malt. There is some drying in the after taste that coats my tongue somewhat. The strength does not increase but the sweet, honeyed malt remains. It’s only noticeable really toward the after taste.
I am torn at this point. I do not want to write a negative review but I do need to be honest. While there was nothing wrong with the tea I personally (and I stress personally) believe that 2g loose leaf tea is not enough for a cup. If I had some Dian Hong whilst relaxing at home I would use 4-5g for a Western brew and 6-7 for a gaiwan. Both would be suitable for multiple steeps at that level of strength.
So the sachet idea is good but it should be at least 5g of tea in my honest opinion. That way it could be Western steeped or used in Gaiwan/Gong Fu Teapot and would be happy in both instances. Perhaps 2g is good for new tea drinkers adjusting to the taste of loose leaf, though even then I would recommend a higher dose.
Apologies to Teabook but that is my brutally honest opinion.
Until next time,
Happy Steeping!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black/Red
Where to Buy: Teabook
Description:
Dian Hong Red (Black) Tea from Lincang, Yunnan. This Dian Hong tea is misty gold liquor has a lovely sweet aroma that resemble milk chocolate. The Dian Hong enters the palate full and brings soft flavors of cherry and red grapes and leaves a slight mouthwater with a slight dry patch in the center of the mouth making you thirsty for the next warm soft sip.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Fox Tail (Ancient Tree Black Tea) 2015 Spring Feng Qing from Bitterleaf Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Bitterleaf Teas
Tea Description:
Dian Hongs are a special breed of black tea, and this 2015 Spring Feng Qing Golden Tip, or Fox Tail as we’ve affectionately named it, is no different. Comprised solely of high quality tips from Feng Qing, this highly fragrant Dian Hong has a sweet, smooth taste throughout. It’s impossible to miss the consistent scent of freshly baked caramel cookie, along with a hint of citrus sweetness. This is apparent from the smell of emptied cup and even the smell of the soup.
This medium bodied tea is very pleasant, but without being overwhelming. We highly recommend this for drinkers who enjoy black teas and are looking for something new. If you are unfamiliar with what a Dian Hong tea is, please have a read here for more info.
Source:
This tea comes to us by way of the previous head of production and quality inspection with the formerly government owned Lincang Tea Factory. He now produces his own teas and has been able to work with us to provide this Feng Qing Dian Hong (as well as our 2015 Fall Bing Dao and 2015 Spring Bang Dong raw Puer.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Fox Tail (Ancient Tree Black Tea) 2015 Spring Feng Qing from Bitterleaf Teas…what a mouthful to say…and a mouthful of tea to drink!
First I would like to comment on the aroma of this interesting cuppa! Fox Tail (Ancient Tree Black Tea) 2015 Spring Feng Qing from Bitterleaf Teas smells rustic but at the same time like a fine, sweet cigar, too! Not to mention the hints of baked cookies! I have to say I don’t think I have ever described a tea like that before – with all 3 reminiscent notes to them, that is.
The first impression on flavor of this tea was a combination of mellow, sweet, wet wood and almost a tobacco type note laying underneath to it, too! I don’t think I have ever tasted a tea quite like Fox Tail (Ancient Tree Black Tea) 2015 Spring Feng Qing from Bitterleaf Teas. I chalk that up as a GOOD THING because with all of the teas I do try I seem to be on the everlasting search for teas that stand out.
I have a feeling that this is one of those teas where there will be multiple opinions and takes on, therefore, I will be sending it to Nichole to see what she thinks about this tea, too! You just might see more than one review on this one, folks! Very. Memorable. Tea. Fox Tail (Ancient Tree Black Tea) 2015 Spring Feng Qing from Bitterleaf Teas!!
Wild Black Tea from Teabook
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Teabook
Tea Description:
Our red tea comes from Yunnan, Fujian, and Hunan provinces in China. The original name for black tea is red tea because of the general color of the infusion; it is still referred to as red tea in China today. Flavors that can define red tea are often robust, woodsy, or toasted and might have notes of walnut, raisin and chocolate. From a health perspective, some studies have established that red (black) tea may help protect lungs from exposure to cigarette smoke; new studies are starting to look at its possible role in helping to reduce the risk for stroke. Black is aggressively rolled/shaped during the processing to bring out its distinct flavors and aromas and are fully oxidized, thus creating darker deeper teas with more tannins (astringency).
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I love the idea and concept behind Teabook and have really thought about getting a subscription. I love the convenience factor of having my loose leaf already measured out for me in convenient packaging. Such an alluring idea and so far I’ve enjoyed the teas I’ve tried.
And this one is no exception! This is another great offering from the Teabook. This particular offering is a Dian Hong from Lincang, Yunnan Province, China.
Brewed up with water at 195F and allowed to steep for about 3 minutes, this tea is giving me a gorgeous spot on black tea flavor that is woods, smooth, slightly astringent, with a lovely malty flavor running thru every sip! Such a well balanced tea. Really love how complex the tea is but yet so simple. Crisp and lovely!
This would be fabulous offering for the cool brisk spring evenings that are coming our way. I really like this one! This may have been the tea that gets me to subscribe!
Wild Black Tea Dian Hong from Teabook
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black Tea (Red Tea)
Where to Buy: Teabook
Tea Description:
This is a one time purchase of our beloved teabook Subscription box without the renewing feature, makes a great gift! We purposely seek out high-elevation, quality tea from small farms that don’t use pesticides.
Free glass tea tumbler
18 tea packets of two quality selected varieties
1 special collection tea packetGreat tea wherever you go!
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Wild Black Tea Dian Hong from Teabook is a great tea. Whether you call it a Black Tea or a Red Tea it’s sure to impress. The sample I received from Teabook was perfectly portioned to fit in their tea tumbler that I also received in the box they sent me but the Wild Black Tea Dian Hong from Teabook itself also fit nicely into my strainer/steeper to have a regular cuppa as-is, too!
Wild Black Tea Dian Hong from Teabook is of Lincang, Yunnan Province, China. Suggested water steeping temperature was 195 degrees and the loose leaf tea is an impressive, clean black tea (or as they state on the package Red Tea). Here in the US we tend to call it a Black Tea but many other countries categorize it as a Red Tea.
It has a nice medium strength black tea base that ends a bit sweeter on the end sip. It also makes a great iced tea. I was able to get multiple infusions out of it, too! Wild Black Tea Dian Hong from Teabook is hardy and hefty and stands up to many of my black tea favorites! Two thumbs up!