Laoshan Black

It’s getting dark, and I’m trying to not fall asleep…
I’m only 2 infusions in, but I figured I’d log this one before I get distracted by making dinner…
3 grams (I think it was 3.4 grams to be exact, on my scale…lol) in my porcelain gaiwan.
15 sec first infusion: caramelized sugar, chocolate, and this really creamy vanilla, that I’m not sure I’ve ever consciously picked up before in this tea! It’s so fantastically delicious. As I was sipping, my youngest asked me what tea I was making, because it really smelled like the ‘chocolate’ one… She notices the chocolate scent every time I make this tea.

There was a break between infusions, because my middle child realized they were out of underwear…..‘cause somehow you JUST realize you’re out of underwear. So, I threw in some laundry and infused for 25 seconds.
This cup was pure, fabulous chocolate (which is making me think of OMGsrsly, and how this quality that I find so intoxicating, is in fact ‘dirt’ to her… and I love that about people, and how we all taste things differently…).
A little sweet potato is present now, along with a bit of walnut. That creamy vanilla from the first cup has turned into a butterscotch custard, becoming more structured and less ethereal.
The layers of flavour in this tea always amaze me….

I’m sure I’ll be drinking this for hours.. but I have to walk away from my computer now, so that’s all I’ll log. :)

Also finished this off yesterday and wish that it was in stock so that I could buy more.

This was great with milk or without. I then made iced tea out of the second steeping and let it steep for 5 minutes and chill overnight in the fridge. Tasty.

Overall very happy, just wish it was in stock from Vaerdant so I could resupply.

This is my first review here on Steepster, and really my first experience with really high quality tea. I love black tea and grew up drinking strong English teas. Well, I was completely caught off guard with this tea. The first thing that came to mind when I smelled the dry leaves was standing over a pot as a pastry chef caramelizing sugar. That sweet smell as the sugar starts to melt and take on that lovely golden color. And then the chocolate notes hit, and never left. I will never dismiss the aroma of chocolate! It is welcome anytime.

I was a little confused about the brewing time, but that is the tea newbie in me. I dusted off my forgotten yixing pot and did what it said on the package, 3 grams of tea, 6 oz. of water, steep for 2-3 seconds. The tea was so pale I was confused because as I mentioned before, I am used to strong English black teas. I went on the website to try again and followed the brewing instructions for the “Western brew” which says to brew for 3 minutes. At about the 2 minute mark, I decide to watch the video and it seems the longest brew time mentioned for various brewing vessels was 10 seconds. I panicked because I was already past 2 minutes at this point. At any rate, I went with the 3 minute western style brewing time they have listed. It was a lovely golden color at that point. Not nearly as dark as any black tea I have had before. And the taste…oh the taste, it was just incredible. It is the most complex tea I have ever had. I kept getting a subtle smokiness and the chocolate was present the whole time. It was so smooth and just wonderful.

I ordered 4 different types of black teas from verdant and I can’t wait to try them all. If anyone has any suggestions with the brewing time, I would love to hear them. I am new at this and learning as I go along.

Purchased this tea from Macha Tea House in Madison. It tastes (and smells) exactly like a brownie; malt and chocolate (brownies are pretty good). I will be going back for more. After the first steep, the in your face flavor was gone.

Excited to try. I opened the bag and smelled the small dark curled leaves and instantly thought of chocolate. The dry leaves smell so good!

I’m going to brew this western style. Three minutes in boiling water. Here goes nothing!

The liquor is a light golden brown and smells sweet like chocolate but also reminds me of barley. This tastes like it smells to me. Creamy, smooth, sweet, chocolaty. Its amazing. The wet leaves smell so strongly of dark chocolate and something I can’t quite put my finger on.. Hm.

Second steep: Sweeter and smoother than the first. Honey! I’m drinking these cups so fast because it’s so delicious.

This tea is just so smooth and delicious. I could drink it all day. I will definitely be buying more.