My eyes are bugging out of my head with how much I like this tea. I just thought I’d let you know that, straight away, without preamble — you know, how a newspaper article puts the most important bit first.
This is a malty, malty, malty rich black tea. It was plucked from an old tree in Vietnam that’s apparently hundreds of years old. I cannot verify the age of the tree, but this cup does have a throaty wisdom about it. It’s a Gandalf/Dumbledore tea. It has a good spirit about it.
If it were possible for a cup of tea to have a nice chuckle, this tea would. “Kids these days. Chasing rings and riding brooms into the whomping willow. What malarkey. What can you do?”
I feel like this is the archetype of what a black cup of Asian tea might be. This wild black tea thing might be my new favorite straight tea. It’s gaining momentum in my heart.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Tea Runners
Description
This majestic and highly unusual black tea brews to a rich and hearty cup dripping with notes of molasses and malt. This tea gets its name from the wild, ancient tea trees bearing its leaves in the north Vietnam province of Yen Bai.
These trees have been tended for hundreds of years, and you can taste the expertise and care that goes into the harvesting of these beautiful long, dark leaves.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Organic Leafy Black Colombian Tea from Simpson and Vail. . .
This Organic Leafy Black Tea from Simpson & Vail is the 2nd tea that I’ve tried (that I know of) that hails from the Bitaco Tea Estate. This is a lovely loose leaf tea that features large, twisted leaves. When steeped, this tea yields a cup that’s sweet and mellow with a soft fruity character at the end of each sip.
I did have a little time to play around with this tea, however, and it can be a versatile cuppa if you want it to be. What I mean by that is if you double the amount of loose leaf and cut the steep time in half it gives off a different flavor than described on the companies website. With this steeping method I’ve noticed it’s a much more heartier, and bold brew with a fair amount of maltiness, too!
I think I mentioned this in another tea review recently but this tea is what we call a chariTEA…
Bitaco Tea not only cultivates exceptional teas, they also are committed to their community. They created the Agricola Himalaya Foundation to develop and improve programs focusing on education, especially for local children. Activities focus on the improvement of infrastructure, recreational opportunities, local culture and access to technology.
So not only is it a good cup – it’s a good cause! An all-around feel-GOOD tea!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Simpson and Vail
Description
From the mountainous region of Colombia, in an area steeped in biodiversity, along the western slope of the Andes, is the Bitaco tea estate. The gentle mist from the mountains, rich soil, and ample rainfall all stimulate the growth of the tea bushes, producing a tea with unique characteristics.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Bigfoot from Wendigo Tea. . . .
The leaves of this black tea are extremely dark. When I saw the tea, I immediately though “that needs to be for a rough morning,” as I was anticipating a very strong flavor. When I opened the tea, I noticed a few flavor scents including a floral scent. !hen I brewed this tea, there was a wonderful musky flavor. The flavor is prominent, but not overwhelming as I had anticipated. It reminds me of the smells from camping with my father when I was a kid. There’s this beautiful smoky aftertaste in this blend, and I love it!
I was able to get three quality brews out of one serving of tea leaves. I have a toddler, and I often end up having to walk away from my cup only to come back to a lukewarm morning cup. To my delight, this tea’s flavor and body were still present at room temperature and still made for a delightful flavor profile! I typically take sugar and cream in my tea, but for this one, I drank it straight. When I added tea, it did was still a good cup, but I preferred the flavors without the sweetener.
This is definitely a tea I would love having in my cabinet!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Wendigo Tea
Description
Hey I’m Bigfoot! I am a pure black tea whose leaves are naturally sweet.I am a shy yet powerful beast, with a musk full of fruits, nuts, and trees. What you imagine when someone says “black tea” is a pale imitation of my beastly quality.
Want to get personal with me? I am an Imperial Grade Golden Monkey from a tea workshop in Fuan county in the Fujiang province of China. I get my name from my leaves, which look like long brown curly monkey hair and are so powerful that you can repeatedly steep them up to 6 times for pot after pot of aromatic bold tea to share with family and friends. Or just keep me all to yourself.
Don’t bother tasting any other Sasquatch. You have found Bigfoot!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Colombian Black Tea from Simpson and Vail. . . . .
Simpson & Vail has announced a few new Colombian Teas and I thought I would share with you their Colombian Black Tea today!
Their Colombian Black Tea is from the mountainous region of Colombia, in an area steeped in biodiversity, along the western slope of the Andes, called the Bitaco tea estate.
The gentle mist from the mountains, rich soil, and ample rainfall stimulates the growth of the tea bushes and produces this tea shouting its unique characteristics.
The large, black wiry, slightly tippy leaves have a light malty aroma and brew to an amber cup with a smooth taste and delicate fruity notes according to S&V! And I would have to agree!
I have been sipping in this one for a while. It hails a fairly sturdy 2nd infusion, too!
Even tho this is a pretty strong black tea it’s not OVERLY strong – like you need someone to break your morning zombie trance – but it’s a nice bolder cuppa to sip though out the day or even in the afternoon or early evening! Another DANDY of a black tea from Simpson & Vail!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Simpson & Vail
Description
From the mountainous region of Colombia, in an area steeped in biodiversity, along the western slope of the Andes, is the Bitaco tea estate. The gentle mist from the mountains, rich soil, and ample rainfall all stimulate the growth of the tea bushes, producing a tea with unique characteristics. The large, black wiry, slightly tippy leaves have a light malty aroma and brew to an amber cup with a smooth taste and delicate fruity notes.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Guangxi Golden Pearls from Tea Shirt
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Tea Shirt
Tea Description:
Premium black tea pearls from Guangxi Province, China.
Handmade pearls of about 1cm in diameter with distinctive golden tips. Fruity and characteristic aroma.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I have been devouring the teas that I picked up from Tea Shirt and this is another fantastic offering! Little pearls lovely hand rolled. Who wouldn’t love these?
I have always loved the “pearl” or “ball” like teas. There is something so alluring about watching the tea leaves uncurl in the steeper creating this illusion of the tea leaves dancing in the water. Just a lovely sight.
I prepped my water per the instructions on the package and grabbed a few of the pearls. Dropped them into my steeper and poured the water. I couldn’t wait to watch those leaves uncurl and dance.
Finally the tea was ready and poured myself a huge cuppa and sat down to enjoy. I have to say, this tea was fantastic! Lovely malty notes with a hint of a fruity finish with a slight astringent mouth feel. Everything you would hope a black pearl like tea would be. The flavors yield such a lovely mix of the right amount of each characteristic. So much so that I can’t seem to put my cup down.
My favorite flavor note is this lovely malty woodsy like flavor. It really does mix well with the sweet almost fruity or jam like hint that I’m getting. The fruity notes are very subtle and gentle allowing the black tea flavor to really shine.
Another tea I can’t get enough of from this company. I see a second order on the horizon!
