Actually bumping up the rating of this tea just a wee bit today. I took this one with me on my morning commute, so I added about a quarter teaspoon of sugar and half a teaspoon of milk (for 12oz) just to keep off any potential bitterness that might develop from sitting in an insulated mug for half an hour. I honestly don’t think it needed even those minor additions because there was no hint of ick or even real astringency even on my last sip. This tea held up really well as a tumbler tea and I appreciate that.
As Kat suggested a bit ago, I took my tumbler lid off about half way through. It didn’t cause a significant change to the tea, but enough of one that I enjoyed it more lid-less. There was an almost tart fruity scent to it that taste-wise came across as a similar-to-Darjeeling brightness with the lid off and that made the tea a little more interesting. I’m thinking that’s what the previously tasted spiciness changes into with a little milk. I still got an enjoyable clean cardboard taste – I’m becoming quite fond of that taste.
This isn’t exactly a special tea or anything, but it’s a pretty good one. More of an “I don’t know what to have so I’ll have this one” tea instead of an “ooh, this looks good and I’m kind of craving it” tea. But it’s good (and necessary) for me to have some good, solid teas I can fall back on when nothing seems to spark my interest and for that reason, I could see this one becoming something I want to keep on hand.
And honestly, I find the brewing interesting. It brews up disturbingly dark but it’s fun to watch the little tea grounds run around in my pot. I still think of post-horked cat food when I see the wet leaves though.
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I’m glad to know I’m not nuts … I never like any tea I have to drink through a sippy lid!
You’re not nuts, I’ve got the same thing. All my good things don’t really taste good out of my travel mug, but a cheap low quality supermarket bag becomes much more tolerable. I think it has something to do with how you don’t get the aroma while drinking when there’s a lid on it.
I’ll remember that when I’m down to nothing but scrud … the one tin of generic cheap Wal-Mart bags I use for eye compresses.
Pst Pst! Did you know zojirushi makes tumblers as well. shhhhhhhh
Shut up! Give me a link!
Never!
http://www.zojirushi.com/ourproducts/ssvbs/ssvbs.html
Now, I want one too…. why did I even look.
The advantage of the lid is that it retains flavor, sort of like a yixing pot =D. Yum, delicious!
Yes, I’d like one of everything please. (No seriously. Please?)
Is the tea actually grown in Tanzania? Or is it just given that name for its exotic appeal.
It is actually grown there. It’s a CTC tea, too, my first experience with CTC loose. From what I can find out about it, it is not a single estate but rather a blend. I think.
I’m really excited to try this. Today is Keemun day, though. Maybe tomorrow.
Thanks. It sounds interesting. I’ve been curious about the African teas, but worried about bitterness.
I’ve tried a no-name Kenyan from local health food store, and I wouldn’t call it bitter, but my! it was strong!
@Carolyn I only have two (this one and a Kenyan single estate) and one tea that I think has the Kenyan one blended into it but I’ve been really pleased. They seem to have a little Darjeeling hint to them but for the most part seem more like a Chinese black than an India so virtually no bitterness. But like gmathis says, they are pretty bold little things.
I’m glad to know I’m not nuts … I never like any tea I have to drink through a sippy lid!
You’re not nuts, I’ve got the same thing. All my good things don’t really taste good out of my travel mug, but a cheap low quality supermarket bag becomes much more tolerable. I think it has something to do with how you don’t get the aroma while drinking when there’s a lid on it.
I’ll remember that when I’m down to nothing but scrud … the one tin of generic cheap Wal-Mart bags I use for eye compresses.
Pst Pst! Did you know zojirushi makes tumblers as well. shhhhhhhh
Shut up! Give me a link!
Never!
http://www.zojirushi.com/ourproducts/ssvbs/ssvbs.html
Now, I want one too…. why did I even look.
The advantage of the lid is that it retains flavor, sort of like a yixing pot =D. Yum, delicious!
Yes, I’d like one of everything please. (No seriously. Please?)
Is the tea actually grown in Tanzania? Or is it just given that name for its exotic appeal.
It is actually grown there. It’s a CTC tea, too, my first experience with CTC loose. From what I can find out about it, it is not a single estate but rather a blend. I think.
I’m really excited to try this. Today is Keemun day, though. Maybe tomorrow.
Thanks. It sounds interesting. I’ve been curious about the African teas, but worried about bitterness.
I’ve tried a no-name Kenyan from local health food store, and I wouldn’t call it bitter, but my! it was strong!
@Carolyn I only have two (this one and a Kenyan single estate) and one tea that I think has the Kenyan one blended into it but I’ve been really pleased. They seem to have a little Darjeeling hint to them but for the most part seem more like a Chinese black than an India so virtually no bitterness. But like gmathis says, they are pretty bold little things.