Tea Type: Black Tea
Where To Buy: Harney & Sons
Product Description:
Mike visited this secret spot on his last trip to China. It was difficult to get in and no, he did not get to see the smoking process. This organic tea is much more subtle and elegant than other Lapsangs.
Tasters Review:
I recently received this from a TEA Friend of mine and enjoyed it VERY MUCH! Wuyi Shan Lapsang Tea from Harney & Sons DOES smell interesting yet good! It’s a smoky-chewy-honey like smell.
And oddly…it tastes much like it smells! Maybe not as smoky which is fine with me! There IS a bit of smoke there but there is so much else going on with this tea that the SMOKE isn’t isn’t the flavor that pushes to front of the over all taste!
It’s CHEWY and yummy….it seems I really REALLY like chewy teas! There is a honey-like taste to it and it has a sweeter finish.
I noticed as the tea had time to sit at room temperature – maybe 2 to 3 minutes – the honey tones seems to pop out more.
This is fairly complex and interesting and I like it very much!
Hu Kwa Tea from Mark T. Wendell
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where To Buy: Mark T. Wendell
Product Description:
This is a fairly heavily smoked Lapsong Souchong that smells wonderful and brews up beautifully. Named for a Chinese Tea Merchant.
Tasters Review:
I have been looking for a Lapsong Souchong JUST LIKE THIS! I FINALLY FOUND IT! Yes, it’s true…I have had a strange relationship with Smoky Teas before now. I confess the very first one was bagged from NUMI and I wasn’t impressed. So much so that I ALMOST started saying I was not a Smoky Tea Fan. I’m glad I continued to try additional smoky teas. BUT…my bad luck didn’t stop there! I must have tried a dozen smoky teas that I didn’t like or just found mediocre…nothing I was too excited about…UNTIL NOW…
I was looking for something with the strong smokey scent and was smoky to taste but didn’t have a funky after taste or too over the top while actually drinking it. I was also looking for one that didn’t taste like wood and was smooth. This Hu Kwa Tea from Mark T Wendell is it! It just seems to have EVERYTHING I have been looking for in a smoky tea.
If you are one of those people who are the “more smoky tasting the better” this might not be strong enough in taste for you. At least the way I did it which was 1 to 1 and a half Tablespoons of loose leaf in 12-ounces of 190-200 degree water for 5 minutes.
Or if you are like me and searching for a smoky tea that works for your palate or haven’t had much luck with smoky teas in the past…try this one! It just might be what you are searching for!
