53
drank Kenya Milima by Harney & Sons
2816 tasting notes

Another sample from the Harney batch. Not really a favorite of mine – I steeped this for 4 minutes per the instructions of H & S. I fear this may have been too long. The website says this tea is light in body and a mellow brew. I am finding it to be fruity but quite astringent and with a bitter aftertaste. Reminiscent of a Ceylon to me and not an Assam.

I would like more of this to do some experiments on the steeping time but all I have is this one little pot and I won’t be getting more I suspect.

Show 14 previous comments...
ScottTeaMan 14 years ago

I’ve never tried the Milima Estate, but I really like Kenyan teas. I’m curious as to how you prepared it?

TeaBrat 14 years ago

Steeped western style for 4 minutes with boiled water in a cast iron teapot.

ScottTeaMan 14 years ago

How many ounces is your teapot? Did you dump the entire sample in it?

TeaBrat 14 years ago

U know, I never bothered to check but I think it’s a 10 or 12 oz teapot. I did use the entire sample but that strategy has served me well for the other samples I tried of the same size.

ScottTeaMan 14 years ago

HHmmm……H & S sample are usually enough for 3 or 4 cups. Let’s say 3 good cups at 7 oz each, or 21 oz. Shorter steeps probably would have resulted in a nice experience, esp for a 12 oz teapot. I always start with shorter steeps, then adjust as necessary. Sometimes though my cups are too weak, say for White teas. For Black teas I like to do shorter steeps, usually 3 to 3.5 min.

Is your teapot a Tetsubin? I’ve been wanting a blue one of some kind. I would use it for green teas.

TeaBrat 14 years ago

yes it is a Tetsubin, I’ve had it for years and I love it. Recently I was told you should just use them for holding boiled water or the teapot will pick up the flavors of the last tea you used, I have not noticed much of a problem with that, but maybe using it for green tea only is a good idea.

ScottTeaMan 14 years ago

What shape/color is it?

TeaBrat 14 years ago

It is shaped kind of like this one but it’s dark green with maple leaves on it. I often think about buying another one. http://www.teavana.com/tea-products/teapots-teapot-sets/cast-iron-teapots/p/japanese-goldfish-cast-iron-teapot

ScottTeaMan 14 years ago

Someday I’ll get one. My fav color is blue, so I was looking for a blue Hira Arare with a hailstone pattern, or a blue moon (tsui) teapot

ScottTeaMan 14 years ago

yeah that looks nice

ScottTeaMan 14 years ago

Here’s a black 14 oz Hira Arare….perfect for me…….except I want a blue one:

http://www.necessiteas.com/storename/necessiteas/Image-10292925.aspx?

Here’s the Blue moon (Tsuki) shape I like:

http://www.holymtn.com/catalog/teapots-japanese-tetsubin-c-114_118/ebu-tsuki-tetsubin-0-55l-p-1143

ScottTeaMan 14 years ago

I should’ve gotten one a few yrs ago….they were at least $20 cheaper. I love Holy Mtn…..they have great tea, teaware, and here’s a nice Japanese Teacup I use for senchas mostly—Japanese greens.

http://www.holymtn.com/catalog/cups-gaiwans-japanese-ceramic-cups-c-121_122_172/sushi-cup-kakuzushi-hi-no-mai-p-958

I just love it. To see it and feel it and use it…..the picture doesn’t do it justice. Anywho I recommend Holymtn, plus they are in San Fran too! :))

TeaBrat 14 years ago

You should go for it, the prices will just keep getting higher and higher. I also have a matching trivet… :))

ScottTeaMan 14 years ago

if I don’t get one of those Tetsubins, I want something in a midnight blue, or dark green.

ScottTeaMan 14 years ago

I also like Tokoname teapots….there is something about Japanese teaware….I’m drawn to it.

ScottTeaMan 14 years ago

I’ll check back later. Comment or msg me if you want to talk more about this…Peace Amy. :))

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ScottTeaMan 14 years ago

I’ve never tried the Milima Estate, but I really like Kenyan teas. I’m curious as to how you prepared it?

TeaBrat 14 years ago

Steeped western style for 4 minutes with boiled water in a cast iron teapot.

ScottTeaMan 14 years ago

How many ounces is your teapot? Did you dump the entire sample in it?

TeaBrat 14 years ago

U know, I never bothered to check but I think it’s a 10 or 12 oz teapot. I did use the entire sample but that strategy has served me well for the other samples I tried of the same size.

ScottTeaMan 14 years ago

HHmmm……H & S sample are usually enough for 3 or 4 cups. Let’s say 3 good cups at 7 oz each, or 21 oz. Shorter steeps probably would have resulted in a nice experience, esp for a 12 oz teapot. I always start with shorter steeps, then adjust as necessary. Sometimes though my cups are too weak, say for White teas. For Black teas I like to do shorter steeps, usually 3 to 3.5 min.

Is your teapot a Tetsubin? I’ve been wanting a blue one of some kind. I would use it for green teas.

TeaBrat 14 years ago

yes it is a Tetsubin, I’ve had it for years and I love it. Recently I was told you should just use them for holding boiled water or the teapot will pick up the flavors of the last tea you used, I have not noticed much of a problem with that, but maybe using it for green tea only is a good idea.

ScottTeaMan 14 years ago

What shape/color is it?

TeaBrat 14 years ago

It is shaped kind of like this one but it’s dark green with maple leaves on it. I often think about buying another one. http://www.teavana.com/tea-products/teapots-teapot-sets/cast-iron-teapots/p/japanese-goldfish-cast-iron-teapot

ScottTeaMan 14 years ago

Someday I’ll get one. My fav color is blue, so I was looking for a blue Hira Arare with a hailstone pattern, or a blue moon (tsui) teapot

ScottTeaMan 14 years ago

yeah that looks nice

ScottTeaMan 14 years ago

Here’s a black 14 oz Hira Arare….perfect for me…….except I want a blue one:

http://www.necessiteas.com/storename/necessiteas/Image-10292925.aspx?

Here’s the Blue moon (Tsuki) shape I like:

http://www.holymtn.com/catalog/teapots-japanese-tetsubin-c-114_118/ebu-tsuki-tetsubin-0-55l-p-1143

ScottTeaMan 14 years ago

I should’ve gotten one a few yrs ago….they were at least $20 cheaper. I love Holy Mtn…..they have great tea, teaware, and here’s a nice Japanese Teacup I use for senchas mostly—Japanese greens.

http://www.holymtn.com/catalog/cups-gaiwans-japanese-ceramic-cups-c-121_122_172/sushi-cup-kakuzushi-hi-no-mai-p-958

I just love it. To see it and feel it and use it…..the picture doesn’t do it justice. Anywho I recommend Holymtn, plus they are in San Fran too! :))

TeaBrat 14 years ago

You should go for it, the prices will just keep getting higher and higher. I also have a matching trivet… :))

ScottTeaMan 14 years ago

if I don’t get one of those Tetsubins, I want something in a midnight blue, or dark green.

ScottTeaMan 14 years ago

I also like Tokoname teapots….there is something about Japanese teaware….I’m drawn to it.

ScottTeaMan 14 years ago

I’ll check back later. Comment or msg me if you want to talk more about this…Peace Amy. :))

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

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Bio

My profile pic is of a pink dahlia at Golden Gate Park.

Hobbies include: tea, making art, animals, vegan things, buddhism, nature, creativity, books, writing, cooking, meditation, yoga.

I am a fan of many different teas but my favorites are blacks and oolongs, chai, also like darjeeling and pu-erh. I’n always learning and expanding my horizons!

Dislikes include: bergamot, jasmine, highly tannic or bitter teas, overly judgmental and bitter people. :)

Live in San Francisco, I’m a SINK (single income, no kids) and love the urban life, but traveling out to the middle of nowhere is always fun too.

I tend to not drink things I know I will hate so a lot of my tea ratings are on the higher side. Here’s my rating system, sorta

95-100 I love this tea and would like to keep it around

94-90 An excellent tea which I may or may not repurchase

89-80 Pretty good, above average

79-70 Acceptable

69-60 Mundane – Will probably drink it if I have it

59-50 Ick

49 and below Nasty

Location

San Frandisco

Website

http://sanfrantea.teatra.de

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