67 Tasting Notes
Surprised this isn’t ranked higher. Maybe a straight Assam is just too “plain Jane” for some. I like it. A lot! This is an unblended, single-origin Tea, and its simple, malty goodness is exactly what I was hoping for. Just as with art, there’s no accounting for taste, and one opinion is as valid as the next. For me – this was a welcome cup!
Flavors: Malt
Preparation
I feel like Veterans Day is too early, but since my wife has started to drench our home entertainment in cheesy Christmas movies, I decided I’d get in the spirit. Or at least play along a little. First I tried making my own “holiday blend” of Gunpowder Green Tea, Hibiscus and Peppermint leaves. Nice, but not enough kick.
So I tried blending a single cup of some Yunnan Black from Silk Road Teas with peppermint. (About 4:1) Very nice indeed. Not wanting to devote the last of one of my favorites, I decided to involve the most plentiful black tea blend in the house – Queen Catherine. Already a blend of Keemun, Panyang and Yunnan, I had little to lose when I added the peppermint leaves to make a full pot. (3:1 Ratio).
Bring out the holly! This is as refreshing and delicious as anything I could hope for! Another cup or two of this, and I’ll be almost ready to help get out the Christmas decorations. Almost.
This is the time of year I start avoiding Facebook so I don’t have to look at pictures of friends’ trees that have already been up for a week. THANKSGIVING, PEOPLE, THANKSGIVING! ;) With this said, this combo sounds tasty—the Queen isn’t currently in residence at my house, but you’ve inspired me to mint up some good heavy Assam to see what happens.
I think I’ll try the same with some Assam.
:)
A coworker gave me a box of these tea bags, and I really like it! I was on a self-imposed caffeine reduction thing for a few days, and this was perfect. I had to laugh when my coworker told me it tasted like dirt. I think it taste like pears!
I’ve blended my own lemongrass and ginger before, but this simple offering is far above my blend.
Flavors: Honey, Pear
I let this Harney sample sit for weeks because it’s a rare desire for a single cup of tea. Low or no-caff options, sure, but but caffeinated black tea.
Well worth the wait, this Assam was rich and flavorful. Deliciously malty with an edge of honey. I’m quickly becoming a fan of Assam tea, and this well-balanced variant is just right for any time of the day.
I am glad you like it! I haven’t tried this one. The organic English Breakfast is just dreadful to me. It is probably the only Harney Tea I dislike, other than part of the decaf line. I do like the one called just Decaffeinated. I like decaf Midsummers Peach and other flavored ones, but some of the decaf black teas tasted washed out to me.
“It’s not you, it’s me.”
That line is a classic. Probably uttered in 80% of breakup conversations worldwide. But this time, it’s being offered as I reconcile my differences with Big Red Sun from Harney.
It was me; I steeped you too long the last time.
It was me; I failed to notice the toasted malty goodness you had within you.
It was me; I was expecting something other than the mellow sweetness that makes you who you are.
Forgive me. And thank you for another chance.
While offering to share a pot of Black Dragon Pearl with a friend who’s enjoyed many fine pots of home-roasted coffee with me, I said, “I don’t have any coffee right now”. Her response was, “I feel like I don’t even know you anymore”.
I feel the same way. I’ve sought, found, roasted and brewed some of the finest coffees in the world, and still have more than 2 kilos of sought-after beans waiting to be roasted. But TEA…so many exotic options. With the sheer number of variations of every leaf, harvest, storage and prep method, I just got lost.
But no more! I am roasting a batch of Maui Select, from the Ka’anapali Estate Coffee located on the West Maui Mountains near the historic town of Lahaina. Now. Today. I mean, as soon as I finish this pot of Laoshan Black from Verdant Tea.
From the Autumn 2016 He Family Collection, this tea is enough to stop anyone in their tracks. Its subtle hints of brown sugar and dark chocolate only increase as the cup begins to cool. The delicate looking dry leaves unfurled while steeping to reveal large black leaves 20x their original size. It’s obvious a great deal of care was taken getting this from the tree to my cup.
I wish I’d ordered more. Every sip is a treat, and it’s just one of 50+ reasons in my cabinet it’s easy to forget to roast coffee.
Flavors: Brown Sugar, Caramel, Dark Chocolate
After a questionable experience with Harney’s Big Red Sun (which I’m hoping was a prep issue), I thought I’d try another of their Kenilworth selections a shot. Good call.
This delicious and delightful Ceylon has such a pleasant aroma while steeping…I could hardly wait to get it in the cup. When I did, I was treated to mellow sips of toasted malt, honey and maybe an edge of cherry.
Glad I ordered more than a sample…
Most of the reviews I read before ordering Harney’s Big Red Sun were 3-4 years old. I’m gonna go out on a limb and suggest “things change” – especially as they relate to growing, harvesting, and blending.
This is quite astringent. I ended up adding milk so my mouth wouldn’t pucker quite so much. The flavor is okay; the Ceylon really comes through. I won’t stop with this pot – so many spoke so highly of it, I’ll have to make some more and alter the method a little.
For now, I can take it or leave it.
Been a long time since I’ve had some—but I remember liking it a lot. It’s hard to mess up a straight-up Assam!
Maybe try Grace Rare Tea Irish Breakfast. Might be a real winner for you. If you want it, I can pick it up in Southern Season in a couple of weeks.
I’ve never been there. I have to go to Chapel Hill again soon. Maybe we should check it out.
They don’t have nearly as much tea as they used to carry, but it is quite a fun store! It is in University Mall, and you really MUST also take your sweet wife to Night Gallery/Branching Out just a few shops down. You would both like it a lot! (I hope!)
Maybe we’ll have time to check them out when we go on Tuesday.