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“One of the first fine teas I ever bought was Harney and Sons Royal English Breakfast in the Historic Royal Palaces tin at Barnes and Noble. My youngest daughter really loved it and I bought it...” Read full tasting note
“This is a good blend. Not as hearty as some breakfast blends, but deep red, smooth and hearty enough. I have put this in my cart several times with my Harney orders and always changed my mind. Add...” Read full tasting note
“Backlog: When I read the name of this tea, my immediate thought was “Oolong” (Big Red Robe) But this is a pleasant black tea. And pleasant is the word for this tea. It isn’t particularly bold or...” Read full tasting note
“Of the Harney blends I tried this week, this was by the far the mellowest; I suppose it’s appropriate it’s the last one. It has a rather thick mouthfeel, but it’s pretty silky. Color in the cup...” Read full tasting note
A blend of two superb teas, Big Red Sun is the perfect way to greet the sun every morning and welcome a new day. We’ve combined Kenya Milima’s golden tips and bold Ceylon leaves from Kenilworth Estates to create a brew that’s full-bodied but mellow and smooth. Add a drizzle of honey if you take your tea sweet, or enjoy the nuanced flavors on their own. A wonderful way to wake up, with each cup more satisfying than the last.
One of the classic BLT blends (British Legacy Teas) is the marriage of Ceylon and India to make a strong tea that can handle milk and sugar. This version creatively recombines to be the tea of Ceylon and Kenya. The Kenyan style of tea-making resembles the Indian tea used in that blend. It makes any time that you see the Big Red Sun rise a very pleasant time!
Since 1983 Harney & Sons has been the source for fine teas. We travel the globe to find the best teas and accept only the exceptional. We put our years of experience to work to bring you the best Single-Estate teas, and blends beyond compare.
From the dry leaves, I expected this to be a little bitter, one of those confrontational, drill-sergeant morning teas. Not so. This is smooth. Something gives a brightness on the sides of the tongue. Something gives a slight dry feeling in the aftertaste, almost like wine tannins? I don’t get particular notes—bread, wood, smoke, jam. But maybe I’m not awake enough yet.
I really liked this tea. I think I confused it with Big Red Robe though. This one was just a mellow, nice black tea. I like my black tea with milk and sugar- I used less sugar with this tea to make it taste how I like. It’s nothing remarkable, just a nice yummy black tea.
ashmanra’s monthly sipdown challenge
May 2023 → a tea with a three word name
My last note said this is meh and I agree. I don’t even really know what to say about it. It’s malty and a bit astringent. Just not for me I suppose.
Flavors: Astringent, Malt
Generally, I am not a big fan of budget Indian/Ceylon/ Kenyan Assams (too bitter, too simple) but this one tasted surprisingly good for me. The taste has enough complexity with floral, apricot, baked bread, malt and honey-sweet notes. The bitterness is present but it is not extreme and blends well with other flavors. This tea is certainly can be enjoyed without sugar or milk and works best as a morning tea.
Flavors: Apricot, Bitter, Bread, Floral, Honey, Malt
Most of the reviews I read before ordering Harney’s Big Red Sun were 3-4 years old. I’m gonna go out on a limb and suggest “things change” – especially as they relate to growing, harvesting, and blending.
This is quite astringent. I ended up adding milk so my mouth wouldn’t pucker quite so much. The flavor is okay; the Ceylon really comes through. I won’t stop with this pot – so many spoke so highly of it, I’ll have to make some more and alter the method a little.
For now, I can take it or leave it.
Got a small sample pack of this in my last order. This tastes like a pretty standard black tea, except that it has a lovely malty aspect to it that I’m really enjoying. It’s probably not going to be something that I have to keep around all the time — I still prefer flavored black tea — but it makes for a nice change.
This is another sample from the swap with Zach. Thanks!
Yum! I ordered a tin of the sachets of the HT English Breakfast. If I would have known about this loose leaf before I ordered I think I would have just gotten a tin of this. This is a nice breakfast blend! It brews up very dark in color, almost to the point of scary me into not drinking it. It is a robust flavor with hints of bitterness, but just the right kind. It is still smooth, and slightly fruity. This tea would take milk really well if you are into that sorta thing. This will go on the wish list. Now if I only had enough to do a comparison with the HT English Breakfast, or is it the same tea different name? Reading the descriptions they are pretty much similar. Does anyone know?
I DO know the answer to this….but I have to think… I know that there were 2 teas that were the same but just labeled differently… I thought it was either HT and Big Red Sun OR Big Red Sun and Safari Breakfast?? Now I’m confusing myself. If you call them, they’ll tell you. That’s what I did….
