Here is one that Terri Harplady included in the Here’s Hoping teabox, I’m just now trying. I’m starting to think that many of Verdant’s black teas are similar – like Laoshan Black…but I’m not sure why I’m comparing it to that one, since it’s my least favorite. This one is much better, while still having a similar flavor profile. Maybe I’m oversteeping the Laoshan, since they suggest four minutes. I used two teaspoons of these lovely leaves.
Steep #1 // 2 min // around 15 minutes after boiling
Already, I can notice the difference. With Laoshan, I used just boiled water and steeped for four minutes. This tea has a comparable flavor with half the time and 15 minutes after boiling. The flavor is that dark without being dark sort of thing. Sweet potato, honey, a bit of chocolate. Very nice. It seems to be closer in flavor to the Zhu Rong than the Laoshan black… but of course steeping times/temps would affect that.
Steep #2 // 3 min // just after boiling
This cup is much like the first. By now my cup of Laoshan Black was terrible… just had that oaky oversteeped leaves flavor. But this one is very nice. It’s almost chewy/bakey… fuller than the Laoshan Black. There are hints of the oakiness in the aftertaste. But these leaves also have something different to them that is hard to describe.. maybe what Yezi described their one tea as scotch-like. A very nice cup but I’m beginning to be surprised that so many of Verdant’s teas are the same. I just don’t see anyone who has tried a few of Verdant’s black teas thinking that Laoshan is the best one. But this tea is lovely on a snowy winter morning with my breakfast of yogurt with blueberries and a hideously decorated Christmas cookie I made. :D (Side note: Anyone else notice the club on the show Arrow’s name is Verdant? Of course I can’t help but think of the teas.)
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Four minutes for the Laoshan Black? I use less than half of that. I have a feeling that you may be oversteeping it.
I thought so too.. the site says 3 min at boiling, so maybe I’m thinking the 4 min was for the resteep? The flavor seemed too light anyway.
I use a little more leaf and 2-3 minutes always western style for Laoshan Black and for Yu Lu Yan Cha 3 minutes is fine for potato chocolate yum. My buddies and I go gongfu at the tea house but at home I brew western style. Might just be my favorite of the two although Laoshan Black is versatile. I add LB to other base blends..herbal chai’s and such.
Four minutes for the Laoshan Black? I use less than half of that. I have a feeling that you may be oversteeping it.
I thought so too.. the site says 3 min at boiling, so maybe I’m thinking the 4 min was for the resteep? The flavor seemed too light anyway.
I use a little more leaf and 2-3 minutes always western style for Laoshan Black and for Yu Lu Yan Cha 3 minutes is fine for potato chocolate yum. My buddies and I go gongfu at the tea house but at home I brew western style. Might just be my favorite of the two although Laoshan Black is versatile. I add LB to other base blends..herbal chai’s and such.