What is in your cup?

[astra]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

Starting today with NBT's Keemun and a bowl of muesli, but I'm a wee bit worried about this keemun... It's really rather thin... Not much aroma, shallow taste, not something to write home about.
My NBT's keemun has cooled down to the point where I can take large mouthfuls, guzzling it down. That's usually a good taste test for me. Unfortunately, this tea doesn't pass. Sorry NBT... no keemun from you any more.

You are doing my homework for me.
I was planning to try it and compare to Tea House Emporium. Pity.

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

I'm trying out the Assam Moran BOP that I received from NBT. I don't smell anything, and I can't taste anything. It is, however, a lovely color...

I have tried three Assam they sell:
1 x BI02-1, Assam Moran BOP Sample

1 x BI09-1, Assam Orangajuli TGFOP F.F. Sample

1 x BI13-1, Assam Sewpur TGBOP (organic) Sample

Moran was the most boring. Sewpur was a bit better. Orangajuli was a bit better than Sewpur. However, all three didn't impress me too much. I though to order Sewpur and Orangajuli samples again to give them the second chance, but dropped the idea. I am going to buy many different black teas in London. I also found quite a few websites that sell teas in the UK I would like to try them. So, no second chances.
I just noticed that they have a new Assam, Assam Hazelbank FTGFOP1, I want to try it. Have you got a sample of this one?


In my cup I have Ahmad Hampton Breakfast.
I am not overly excited by its taste, but it is the best out of the three that I have in the office.
Twinings Classic English Breakfast and New English Tea English Breakfast are the others. Never again these two.

[astra]

A cup of New English Tea's English Breakfast.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by astra

You are doing my homework for me.
I was planning to try it and compare to Tea House Emporium. Pity.

I have tried three Assam they sell:
1 x BI02-1, Assam Moran BOP Sample

1 x BI09-1, Assam Orangajuli TGFOP F.F. Sample

1 x BI13-1, Assam Sewpur TGBOP (organic) Sample

Moran was the most boring. Sewpur was a bit better. Orangajuli was a bit better than Sewpur. However, all three didn't impress me too much.

The East India Company Assam was FAR better than the NBT's Assam Moran. I mean really FARRRRRRRR!

I just noticed that they have a new Assam, Assam Hazelbank FTGFOP1, I want to try it. Have you got a sample of this one?

No, that's not one that I tried.

Twinings Classic English Breakfast and New English Tea English Breakfast are the others. Never again these two.

For Twinings, the very best of their loose leaf teas (to me, anyway) has always been their 'Prince of Wales.' It has the wonderful bright flavor and aroma of good China black teas, but not the 'bold' taste that I really prefer. I drink it when I want something very smooth, with good taste, but don't need the knock-out punch that I get from some of my favorites. Being a 'blend' it's one that I can always fall back on for a nice familiar cup of tea.


Stitchawl

[Latinandgreek]

Ahmad Earl Grey tea.

[Stitchawl]

Pu-erh #02 from NBT... Nope.


Stitchawl

[Poppaea]

Kusmi Chocolate & Spices

[astra]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

Pu-erh #02 from NBT... Nope.

When I come home, I will have a look at my samples and see what is #02.
I am curious myself.

Overall, I didn't find anything interesting in NBTea Pu-Erh collection besides black Tuocha.
#01 I think was a box standard young black Pu-Erh and it was OK, but I have to verify the numbers.




White yogurt.

[Iridal]

I just made a pot of Rooibos Crème Caramel. I usually just make one cup, because I don't like to drink too much of the same tea in one day. But I figured this would save me some time. Got lots of Ikea stuff to assemble. Somehow I always end up going to Ikea when I take a couple of days off

SO: first cup of Rooibos Crème Caramel

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by astra

When I come home, I will have a look at my samples and see what is #02.
I am curious myself.

Overall, I didn't find anything interesting in NBTea Pu-Erh collection besides black Tuocha.
#01 I think was a box standard young black Pu-Erh and it was OK, but I have to verify the numbers.

I think part of the problem is that I'm really a confirmed black tea drinker. While I do enjoy the occasional oolong (especially if it's Ti Kwan Yin,) and find myself drinking un-named green teas every day (it's my habit to eat lunch out every day and green tea is always served freely,) it's the black teas that really scream with flavor. I guess my pallet is just too jaded or abused to appreciate the subtle nuances of the gentler teas.

I have enjoyed those no-named purchased pu-erh pellets... (I guess they are really touchas, but I enjoy the roll of the 'p's') but only as a point of interest. Make mine black.

Stitchawl

[ProfCrash]

I love the Rooibos Creme Carmel. Great stuff.

Rooibos Jungle Fire here.

[astra]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

I have enjoyed those no-named purchased pu-erh pellets... (I guess they are really touchas, but I enjoy the roll of the 'p's') but only as a point of interest. Make mine black. l

To be honest I drink Pu-Erh after lunch and dinner for its health benefits. I enjoy a good dusty flavour in the first after meal cup It makes me happy that once in a blue moon I like something that is also healthy it is a very unusual combo for me I like how it makes my stomach feel lighter after a meal.

I am not sure how I feel about black blends yet. So far, I liked only Tea House Emporium English Breakfast. I know I have not tried any good names, so we will see. Well, I drink Taylors of Harrogate Tea Room Blend and it is good but nothing special, to buy it again.
On the other hand I love their Ceylon. I love Assam Harmutty and Keemun from Tea House Emporium. I also like THE's Assam Mangalam as the very first cup of wake me up with a hummer in the office, but it doesn't have too much flavour besides a pleasant malty flavour, just a very strong tea
I don't find any of the teas that I have drunk & liked, except burned tyres and Pu-Erh, to have any special or good smell. I have a sensitive nose, so I believe I would notice.

Anyway, I just finished a cup of Honeybush. Maybe I overbrewed it (they suggest 7-10 minutes and I did it 16 minutes), but I dislike the taste.

Btw., Ti Kuan Yin is the tea they serve in the local Chinese buffet style restaurant and I always order it. They call it Chinese tea. I always, until 4 years ago, assumed it was a green tea. I quite liked it and it was this tea that prompted me to investigate green teas many years ago and realise that there is another type - blue/oolong. This tea has sparked my interest in teas which slowly smouldered until a few months ago when the fire finally caught up and grew into a bonfire

[ProfCrash]

I tried making honeybush tea twice and ended up throwing it out. I just did not like it. I can't see blending it with too many other teas because the steep time is so long.

Looking at my reduced tea shelf, I am realizing that I have a strong preference for black and oolong teas. I have three greens that I enjoy, two oolongs, on Darjeeling, one Pu-Erh, one pure black (Keemun), three flavored black teas. I have two blended teas from Teavana but those might just fall off of my list.

I have four other Pu-Erh's, two I see finishing one loose leaf Shu and one Shu Tuo Cha from Rishi, and two that I might have occassionally but not likely, the Ginger and Vanilla Mint.

I can see trying new teas when they look interesting to me but I think I might have figured out what I really like and found my top 20 teas.

And I am scared that I can honestly talk about a top 20 teas.

[beppe]

Originally Posted by astra

To be honest

ahah! yuppieee! everytime I hear this expression i regret not to have my lederhosen on! Or at least two of those lead aprons that radiologists wear, one in front and one in the back.

Originally Posted by astra

Btw., Ti Kuan Yin is the tea they serve in the local Chinese buffet style restaurant and I always order it. They call it Chinese tea. I always, until 4 years ago, assumed it was a green tea. I quite liked it and it was this tea that prompted me to investigate green teas many years ago and realise that there is another type - blue/oolong. This tea has sparked my interest in teas which slowly smouldered until as few months ago when the fire finally caught up and grew into a bonfire

That is exactly (almost an almost as she calls it Ti Guan Yin) what the kind lady pushed upon me for the mere amount of 30 euros/100gr.

I am spending the week on greens but than it is its turn, fireman. honest fireman astra.

[beppe]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

I tried making honeybush tea twice and ended up throwing it out. I just did not like it. I can't see blending it with too many other teas because the steep time is so long.

Looking at my reduced tea shelf, I am realizing that I have a strong preference for black and oolong teas. I have three greens that I enjoy, two oolongs, on Darjeeling, one Pu-Erh, one pure black (Keemun), three flavored black teas. I have two blended teas from Teavana but those might just fall off of my list.

I have four other Pu-Erh's, two I see finishing one loose leaf Shu and one Shu Tuo Cha from Rishi, and two that I might have occassionally but not likely, the Ginger and Vanilla Mint.

I can see trying new teas when they look interesting to me but I think I might have figured out what I really like and found my top 20 teas.

And I am scared that I can honestly talk about a top 20 teas.

??? scared??? what do you mean scared.

Up to now in my short experience with teas i have 2 blacks that I love: Keemun and Ceylon. (I love the 4 euros/100 gr that I have and might try something more expensive or I might decide against it) 1 Oolong plus one that is waiting to become my number one tea, two greens and that's it, for a total of ... 6. And i want to coast way at large from a number of pusher traps and shoals, like those fish and mud tasting stuff you and honest star have been what? day dreaming about.
honestly.

[ProfCrash]

heheheh

Well when I first started with tea I thought Bigelow was awesome and now I am sitting at a deask with 22 teas on it. It is amazing how the habit develops.

Finishing my second pot of Rooibos Winter Magic. It is ok, I'll finish what I have but doubt I will ever buy it again.