Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black, Oolong & Green Teas
Where to Buy: McNulty’s Tea & Coffee
Tea Description:
Our Special Mixed Tea is a blend of Formosa Oolong, Japanese Sencha, and China Black. This formula has been with the store since the 1940’s.
Taster’s Review:
When I first received this tea, I was a bit unsure about its contents. The tea looked black, but it smelled a bit like Oolong and green tea. So, I wrote to McNulty’s to find out more about this blend, which is categorized on their website as only a black tea blend, hoping to gain a little more insight about this tasty tea. They wrote back promptly, and the above description is their response.
This is indeed a tasty blend. The black tea tastes a bit lighter than a typical China black tea, and I suspect that has a lot to do with the fact that it was sharing the brewing space with an Oolong and Sencha.
I taste a toasty flavor to this – nutty – which could be from the Sencha, or it could be from the Oolong. There is some earthiness to the cup as well as some light fruit tones. Light peachy tones, and hints of flower.
Overall, a very pleasant tea. I brewed this before knowing what teas were inside, and again, I brewed it thinking it was a black blend. So I used boiling water for 2 1/2 minutes in my Breville. However, the high temperature did not seem to scorch the Sencha, as I did not taste a hint of bitterness nor an indication of scorching. Just delicious tea with a pleasant sweetness all its own; no need to sweeten! This is really quite delightful!
Ceylon Dimbula from McNulty’s Tea and Coffee
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: McNulty’s Tea and Coffee
About McNulty’s:
Since 1895, McNulty’s has been this country’s leading purveyor of choice coffees and rare teas. Our tradition of careful selection of only the finest is still true today.
A visit to our store is like a journey into another age. Located in the heart of New York’s Greenwich Village, the aura of a century long gone is timelessly preserved. Immediately upon entering the shop, one’s senses are delighted by the many aromas of coffees and teas from around the world. Sacks of coffee and chests of tea with obscure markings from far away lands are visible everywhere. Even the bins, chests, and scales, with which these products are stored and handled, date back to the previous century.
Taster’s Review:
This is a surprising Ceylon. Normally, when I think of a Ceylon, I think of a fairly even-tempered, moderate kind of black tea. This tea is a bit more finicky than what I expected, and not what I would call “moderate” in any way.
But that isn’t a bad thing … just different. Surprising. It has that “briskness” that I look for in a Ceylon, and it possesses a bit more complexity than I usually notice in a Ceylon. There is a background of fruit (citrus-y) and flowery (evoking thoughts of wildflowers). It has a smooth, honey-like sweetness and a hint of bitterness that hits about mid-sip. That bitterness was definitely unexpected. It has a savory quality to the bitterness, but it also seems to say “if you over-steep me, I will get harsh on you.” Fortunately, I did not over-steep!
There is a fair amount of astringency at the tail of the sip, it plays to the tangy flavor of the aforementioned citrus tones, but it also has a palate cleansing effect.
Overall, a very pleasant cup of Ceylon. I enjoyed it.
Plum Black Tea from McNulty’s Tea & Coffee
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: McNulty’s Tea & Coffee
Product Description:
I was not able to locate a description of this tea on McNulty’s website.
Taster’s Review:
I love plums, so I was very excited to try this flavored tea from McNulty’s. The dry leaf smells like a juicy plum!
The black tea base is a fairly mellow tasting tea with a mild astringency. Based upon the evenness of the flavor, I would say it’s probably a Ceylon. It is brisk and smooth.
The plum flavor doesn’t overwhelm the black tea, and I like that. The plum is sweet with just a whisper of tartness to it. It tastes like a fresh, plump plum that’s just been plucked off the plum tree! (Can you say that three times fast?)
What I like best about this tea is that it tastes like tea that’s been flavored with the essence of plum. It doesn’t taste like an overly sweet, artificially flavored drink with a hint of tea flavoring in the background. It is delicious hot, but I think I prefer it chilled! It is very refreshing!
Java Santosa from McNulty’s
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: McNulty’s
Company Description:
I was not able to locate a description of this tea on McNulty’s website.
Taster’s Review:
This black tea is a single estate tea from the Santosa estate in Java (an island in Indonesia). Having tried only a few teas from Indonesia but quite enjoying those that I have tried, I always welcome the opportunity to try more.
The flavor of this tea is rich and robust. It definitely has GUSTO to it to get you going! A perfect morning tea, this tea would also make a nice pick-me-up for the afternoon.
There is a hint of underlying sweetness to this tea, but mostly what I am getting is a straightforward, STRONG, bright tasting black tea. It has a toothsome quality to it, but not quite as much as a stout Assam. A bit of astringency, but no bitterness.
A very pleasant black tea that would make an excellent alternative to the typical breakfast blend or morning Assam. It takes the addition of milk and honey quite well, although I found it to be rather lovely without addition.
Mainland China Oolong from McNulty’s
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: McNulty’s
Company Description:
The website doesn’t have a description of this tea – actually, I don’t find this tea anywhere on their website.
Taster’s Review:
I received a bit of this tea from my SororiTea Sister, Jennifer (aka TeaEqualsBliss), and I am so happy to have this opportunity to try it. It’s a remarkably complex and delicious Oolong tea.
The leaves are dark, indicating a long oxidation period. They brew a medium to dark amber colored liquor with a nutty aroma.
The flavor possesses a chestnut flavor that is highlighted with sweet, honey-like tones. There is a deep, fruity quality to this as well – I taste peach!
Like other high quality Oolongs, these leaves can be infused multiple times. Each infusion is quite flavorful – the first and second infusions are a little more nutty, and with the third and fourth, I noticed that the fruit notes came out a little more. There was even a hint of smokiness in the third and fourth infusion. With the fifth and sixth infusion, I could taste notes of spice and the honey flavor became a little more distinct.
To get the most out of this tea, I recommend enjoying it as a hot beverage. It is still delicious as an iced tea, however, much of the intriguing complexity is lost as it cools.
This is truly an amazing Oolong!