Here’s a black tea sample that I got from Upton, I was curious to try based on their description of it. This is a black tea, though they may call it a red tea in China. Another congou to try.
The directions said to steep this for 3-5 minutes so I went for 4 in the end. I got a very smooth, dark black tea with virtually no astringency. There is a nice sweetness about it. I agree it is very clean and mellow. This is a very easy one to sip on plain, which I am enjoying. It’s definitely nice to have a few black teas which I don’t feel the need to take with any additions. Perhaps a slight bit of maltiness in the finish. I am sure I will happily finish this off but will probably not need to buy anymore. I do have a full tin of a panyang congou which is probably enough for a while!
Unfortunately I left my infuser in the teapot when I went back to get a second cup and now I am getting the bitter, ooky quality I think Jen was describing in her note. This is not a tea you want to oversteep.
I know I am weird but I was half hoping for something spicy in this tea since it’s from Sichuan province. hee hee! I enjoyed trying it though.
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It is funny because I am often lead to resample this based on the reviews on Upton. And then I remember this was the tea where I was the weirdo one who did not really care for it. I am sure my steeping technique has improved, but not that much! ;)
Spicy is exactly what I though of when I saw the name of the tea.
Jen – I don’t blame you for not wanting to try it again!
I tried this in the past and it was solid but there are so many great Chinese black teas that I didn’t feel motivated to buy it again.
@Triumph – yeah I feel much the same way. Good but missing the “wow” factor for me personally
I have a sample of this somewhere…….if I can only find it! :-//
It is funny because I am often lead to resample this based on the reviews on Upton. And then I remember this was the tea where I was the weirdo one who did not really care for it. I am sure my steeping technique has improved, but not that much! ;)
Spicy is exactly what I though of when I saw the name of the tea.
Jen – I don’t blame you for not wanting to try it again!
I tried this in the past and it was solid but there are so many great Chinese black teas that I didn’t feel motivated to buy it again.
@Triumph – yeah I feel much the same way. Good but missing the “wow” factor for me personally
I have a sample of this somewhere…….if I can only find it! :-//