Today is one of those days where I need all the caffeine to keep going. I literally bring a tote bag full of tea wherever I go so I dug into my lovely portable tea stash and landed on this lovely option.
Black Ruby from Terroir Tea Merchant is a black tea described as having a smooth, sweet, and cinnamon mint flavor. That description alone peaked my interest. I’ve tried a few offerings from Terroir Tea Merchant and I have to say, even though I typically reach for flavored teas, they’ve even turned my head and made me re-think my mostly flavored tea stash and possibly add in more straight teas.
Brewed up with fresh prepped water, I accidentally allowed this tea to steep a bit to long. Recommendations called for 3 minutes and I think the tea steeped about 5 (at work and failed to multi-task properly).
I will say this tea had gorgeous cinnamon notes going in to steep but has an incredibly strong malty flavor. Even though I did steep the tea longer than I should have the flavors were stop on with a slight twinge of astringency (which is totally my fault). This tea is one of those that gives you that whole mouth feel and demands your attention. I can’t say that I picked up any hints of mint, the cinnamon was present. Combine that flavor and the malty tone, you’ve got yourself one heck of a cuppa tea.
I think I have enough in my sample to brew up another cuppa properly and this time I’ll pay closer attention to my steeping parameters. I’m hoping with a bit of patience, I can draw those minty notes out because a cinnamon mint tea just sounds so darn interesting!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Terroir Tea Merchant
Description
cinnamon and mint flavour. This tea is guaranteed to excite even the most jaded taste buds. Flavour: Cinnamon, mint and malt sugar
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Yunnan Black from The Little Red Cup Tea Co. . . . .
It’s been a while since I have tried a tea from The Little Red Cup Tea Co. and today I thought I would share their Yunnan Black with you!
Their Yunnan Black comes from Lincang which is just a stone’s throw from Burma and home to some of the oldest cultivated tea in the world – according to The Little Red Cup Tea Co. website and product description. The Yunnan Black Tea we are reviewing today is hand picked and tightly rolled but not rolled into balls or pearls but more of a rolled pressed leaf of sorts. The golden tipped leaves produce a deep amber hue in the cup and give off light scented notes of raisins, cocoa, and honey.
As for the taste…it’s delightful!
Not only in the aroma but in the taste I could pick up on the natural raisin flavors and cocoa powder – especially if brewed dark – double the loose leaf at half the time. When double brewed I found this to be pretty hefty. It was a stronger Yunnan Black and I really liked it. I also brewed as suggested and found it just as tasty but not as brassy or brashy as the double brewed. Both attempted were successful and made me an instant fan!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: The Little Red Cup Tea Co.
Description
Our Yunnan Black (滇紅茶) hails from Lincang, a stone’s throw from Burma and home to some of the oldest cultivated tea in the world. Hand picked and tightly rolled, the golden tipped leaves produce a deep amber brew — with light notes of grapes and honey. An instant classic.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Bigfoot from Wendigo Tea Co. . . .There has been a sighting!
A classic case of me being drawn in to trying a tea because of the name. I mean…who wouldn’t want to try Bigfoot Tea? I introduce to you…Bigfoot Tea from Wendigo Tea Co.
Why was I so excited to try Bigfoot Tea from Wendigo Tea Co? Well, because I live in one of the supposed ‘hot spots’ in the US for Bigfoot Sightings! It’s true! A local winery even named a wine after Bigfoot. So now I can say I have tried at least 1 tea and 1 wine that were inspired by the mythological simian, ape, or hominid-like creature that is said to inhabit forests.
If you reside in a different country or haven’t heard of this creature it’s American folklore. Bigfoot is usually described as a large, hairy, bipedal humanoid. It’s also known as Sasquatch. The term Sasquatch is an Anglicized derivative of the Halkomelem word sásq’ets. Thank you Wiki!
As for this tea…Bigfoot Tea from Wendigo Tea Co. is flippin’ fantastic! After reading the base for this tea was an Imperial Grade Golden Monkey from a tea workshop in Fuan county in the Fujiang province of China I couldn’t wait to try it. I’m partial to black teas, after all.
Bigfoot Tea from Wendigo Tea Co. gets its name from the leaves which look like long, brown curly monkey hair. The leaves are so flavorful that you can repeatedly steep them up to 6 times according to the companies website! The flavor is fairly bold, woodsy-sweet, brisk, and YUMMY!
I’ve heard from Bigfoot enthusiasts that the beast doesn’t smell very nice but this tea does! Perhaps Wendigo knows something we don’t here in Bigfoot Country! Regardless – I have to say I am a fan of this tea! A nice, sturdy black cuppa!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
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!
Xian Luo Black Tea from Kent & Sussex Tea & Coffee Co.. . . .
I have a confession. At first sniff I was LOST in this Xian Luo Black Tea from Kent & Sussex Tea and Coffee Co. The natural aroma was so fragrant, a little spicy, and a little malty. The trio of smells made it an unforgettable smelling tea!
The taste of Xian Luo Black Tea from Kent & Sussex Tea and Coffee Co. was just as impressive! Xian Luo Black Tea from Kent & Sussex Tea and Coffee Co. is a medium strength black tea that was fairly malty in the mouth. The malt was on the sweeter side and NOT astringent or brash. It took me a while but I finally figured out the mysterious nod I kept picking up on and it was subtle chocolate notes but it was a very zoned-in type of chocolaty taste I was tasting. My taste-buds say it was more of a cocoa powder type chocolate taste and on the sweeter side.
Xian Luo Black Tea from Kent & Sussex Tea and Coffee Co. was capable of at least 2 solid infusions. I LOVE that in a black tea since it’s somewhat rare. This tea also finishes pretty smooth and it’s lovely. Another thing I noticed was this Xian Luo Black Tea from Kent & Sussex Tea and Coffee Co.’s natural malty flavor seemed to magnify as it cools naturally at room temperature.
As if you could already tell I’m a HUGE fan of Xian Luo Black Tea from Kent & Sussex Tea and Coffee Co.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Kent & Sussex Tea and Coffee Co.
Description
Xian Luo Black Tea is from the Chinese province of Anhui. Xian Luo means Silky and Fragrant. The lovely dark loose leaves are slightly curled in manufacture and produce a very pleasant dark red liquor with sweet notes and a spicy aroma.
Brew with boiling water and infuse for 1 to 4 minutes.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Kenya Emrok Factory FTGFOP1 from Capital Tea Limited
I’m a fan of Black Teas – as many of you may already know. I’m a fan of tasting teas from different countries and estates, too! So of course I was excited to try Kenya Emrok Factory FTGFOP1 from Capital Tea Ltd. One thing I couldn’t recall was that if I have ever had a tea from Nandi Hills in West Kenya, specifically, and that is where this tea hails from.
Kenya Emrok Factory FTGFOP1 from Capital Tea Ltd. is harvested in December and the leaves are tri-colored in different shades of brown and what I would consider to be a khaki type color. The infused leaves leave behind a lovely shade of tea water.
The flavor on the tongue is just as impressive – if not more. I could pick up notes of citrus and honeysuckle but also wet-woodsy hits as well. Kenya Emrok Factory FTGFOP1 from Capital Tea Ltd. is right up there with some of my favorite Kenyan teas. I would certainly recommend it!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Capital Tea Limited
Description
Sensational well made leaf grade tea from the Nandi Hills in West Kenya. Harvested in December, these wiry leaves produce a bright liquoring, elegant and refined tasting tea with a captivatingly lively mouth feel, ample body and a well balanced complex flavour profile with notes of citrus, malt and honeysuckle. A very enjoyable all day tea that is highly recommended!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!