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well bodied cup that I think I enjoy best as a daily drink. Affordable 100g bags are consumed quickly and the ceylon heavy blend is good plain or with cream/milk/sugar. A good base for chai blends or for a standard cup I think this provides a good “English” tea flavor. Not tolerant of over steeping keep the brew time under 4.5 minutes and brewable twice.

This tea is blended by Metropolitan tea company out of Toronto and has a few names Empress, 1908 blend, it is their standard blend available in the shop.

Though I have grown away from this to more black teas this tea is exceptionally well balanced with the black backing up the crisp mint. I will not drink mint by itself again as this blend provides such a pleasing well rounded sip. Despite the black steep times up to 7 minutes provided no bitterness.

At this point this is my favorite lapsang though I have tried few others. The tin smell is strong like campfire which is off putting to many but the brew is deep black with a smoky sweet finish and often my daily pot at work. I brew twice with little difference between pots. Surprisingly tolerant of brew times I have had a delicious cup well past 5 minutes. Take note that this is heavy on caffeine for those that are intolerant this tea can give you a long lasting high.

Very good in cooking too, steeped while soaking lentils gives you a tasty bacon flavor without the fat. Murchies lapsang is more bacony and is better for cooking.

Being my first estate tea I think my memory is on the high side but I remember this being my favorite cup ever. Steeping up to 3 times I found the sweetness well balanced with the tartness of the darjeeling. I have tried other estates both first and second flush and yet to find the same character. I believe this was a 2011 harvest. Tasty, soothing and peaceful I was always left wanting for more. The only negative quality of this tea was its high price and limited availability.

The mango is well balanced with the ceylon providing a sweetness to the full bodied black cup that makes a pleasant morning or daily brew. Not suitable for multiple steeps as the mango is lost this is best enjoyed in the initial steep.

I found this to be unbalanced with the bergamont overpowering. London Fog or Mandarin Spice greatly preferred.

Light and cheery this is one of few green teas I enjoy. The jasmine is clearly present with peaky sweet flowery notes that make me feel happy with only the slightest green grassy taste in the background. Steep light and cool and drink when feeling down, tired or hot for a refreshing pick me up. Have successfully infused for a tasty cocktail. My only critique is that taste has varied between batches and stock is not assured.

Smooth sweet green with tart bright cherry notes that is extremely delightful to taste. This is really the only green tea that I enjoy. The flavor is satisfying and invigorating with no discernible grassyness but the tea does not age well with all desirable traits diminishing by 6 months. Unless you drink a lot purchase only 40 cup tins.

The smell is intoxicating but I find the vanilla to be heavy that mutes the character of the ceylon base. It is heavy to a point of tasting artificial.

Really enjoyed as a daily tea the orange and spice compliment the tea to give a well bodied cup. Over steeping will give a powdery spice taste that feels flat in the mouth before getting bitter that is eliminated with a touch of added sweetness. I generally steep a maximum of twice 4:15 initially 4:30 for a final pot. Do not bother buying anything smaller than an 80 cup tin as the iced tea and infusions with this tea are also amazing in the summer. I have also added some while making oatmeal in the mornings.