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!
Red Pearls (Hong Zhen Zhu) from Silk Road Teas. . . .
I recently finished up my sample of Red Pearls (Hong Zhen Zhu) from Silk Road Teas. I’m not going to lie…a single, small, dramatic tear ran down the side of my face as I consumed the last sips of this wonderful infusion!
The color of the liquor itself was VERY dark laying there in my cuppa. It paired perfectly with the rainy days we have been having lately. Not that this is a gloom and doom cup but more like a comforting cuppa, instead!
This is a high-grade Mao Feng leaf that has been rolled into shiny small pearls and oxidized to a deep brown color.
It’s softly aromatic, offers a touch of smokiness, and has a light, naturally sweet finish.
The word I keep coming back to with this taste of tea is molasses! Not sure why but that is what this one reminds me of…molasses! It’s sweet, dark, thick, bold, tarry-malty, and delicious!
A black tea many to most would be PROUD to have in their stash! I know I was darn delighted!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Silk Road Teas
Description
A high-grade Mao Feng leaf has been rolled into a shiny small pearl and oxidized to a deep brown color. The result is an unusual and rare Fujian Province black tea that is softly aromatic, offering a touch of smokiness and a light, naturally sweet finish. Cup color is a rich red and clean. Our lot is very well made, the craftsmanship is apparent. This style of black tea was once quite common but in recent years has become rare as the processing of the leaf is quite difficult.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Aso Black from Mellow Monk. . . . .
This tea is “a black tea made with leaves from the same green-tea cultivars used to make traditional sencha,” which gives it a distinct flavor. I’d compare its flavor to oolong teas, which typically straddle the black-green divide.
It does have that mossy, nutty flavor that I associate with green tea, but a base like an evergreen forest in the spring. It’s vegetal, yet rich at the same time.
It’s the tea equivalent of Loki’s outfit.
*Smolder*, am I right?
And that’s how I feel about this tea. It’s kind of subversive, like Loki. “I took a green tea and I made it black! HAH! So there, Odin! I don’t CARE that I’m adopted!”
Except that, like Loki, when I drink this, I know it’s not really a black tea. Little things give away its true nature. Just like we knew, deep down, that Loki was too magic and otherworldly to be a part of that family.
You should try this tea. It’s a tricky, delightful limbo.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Mellow Monk
Description
Aso Black™ is a special presence in the world of tea — a black tea made with leaves from the same green-tea cultivars used to make traditional sencha. The flavor is brisk and clean, with a green-tea-like sweetness and a smoky, nutty taste, finishing with overtones of nutmeg. If you like, say, English breakfast tea, you will be positively enchanted by this tea. So order up some scones and brew up a pot of Crimson Grove™.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Jin Jun Mei from Verdant Tea aka Super Starling enjoys steamed buns!
I have a confession to make.
I purchased this tea because Verdant told me it tasted like “steamed buns.” I laughed at the phrase “steamed buns,” and then I laughed some more.
Steamed.
Buns.
It hasn’t gotten any less funny. It’s still really, really good.
And yeah, this tea totally tastes like bread! It’s smoky and malty and a bit sweet. I detect maybe some butter/vanilla in there, around the edges. It’s so heavy and thick it’s almost broth-like. Even before I drink it down, it just SMELLS really good. It feels like it should have calories.
It’s not the sexiest thing in the world — it’s a classic staple.
It’s like a guy who’s got a little bit of Dad Bod going on. (I have actually written “Dad Bod” on my sample bag.) This tea is Mr Right, not Mr Right Now.
And no Mr Right would be complete without… STEAMED BUNS.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Verdant Tea
Description
Jin Jun Mei Wuyi black tea is one of the most labor intensive and demanding teas to produce. The picking window is very small and the skill required so high, that every experienced farmer in the Xingcun region works together to pick Jin Jun Mei buds for each other over the first weeks of spring. Li Xiangxi’s spring-fed tea grows out of rocky, sandy soil, yielding a rich mineral flavor true to Wuyishan’s unique terroir.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
What’s in a name? Diksam TGFOP 1 2nd Flush 2013 Assam
Today I tried a tea from Lochan Tea Limited, Diksam TGFOP 1 2nd Flush 2013 Assam. Let’s start with breaking down that name! “Diksam” is the estate where these leaves are grown, part of the “Assam” tea region in India. “TGFOP 1” is the designation or grade of the tea, in this case it stands for: Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe One. “2nd Flush” indicates when this tea was collected. In the case of Indian teas like this Assam, the 2nd harvest is more prized for its higher content of “golden tip” tea leaves.
This particular batch was harvested in 2013. I’m a bit late to the party on this tea, since most leaves are at their best when fresh, but this brew still had some life in it.
Whew with all of that knowledge sinking in, let’s explore how this tea actually brewed up! These leaves steeped into a rich, dark red tea smelling slightly sharp and bold right from the start. When the tea was at its hottest, there was a scent of burnt caramel mixed in with the malty notes. The taste of this tea echoed these scents while brewing, though there were new flavors as well, like a deep foliage note at the back of each sip. This tea was definitely heavy and full-bodied, more earthy than astringent. The tea was strong enough to hold up its boldness when mixed with milk. The milk helped mellow out any bitterness and brought forward more of the barky, nutty tones.
While this particular batch isn’t available on Lochan Tea Limited at this time, they have a range of other premium black teas. Now that you’re armed with the knowledge of the tea naming system, you’ll know more about what you’re ordering!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Lochan Tea Limited
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
