Ever once in a while, I will come across a tea that will awaken my test buds and remind me of exactly why I love tea so very much. This blend will wrap me in a warm cozy hug and delight my tastebuds all while soothing my ever stressed out soul.
Today, this particular green tea did just that.
Brewed up with a tea spoon of leaves, 6 oz of water prepped at 170F and allowed to brew for 3 minutes, this tea gives you such a simple yet complex variety of flavors in each and every sip. Each and every sip you are greeted with a lovely sweet note that doesn’t overpower but brings a smile to your face with a subtle melon/floral note coming not far behind. Then the sip takes you on a different direction with a more vegetal feel. Every once in a while, I do pick up this adorable nutty flavor that I really adore. With this tea you are greeted with both the sweetness and vegetal feel that only a green tea can provide.
I have brewed up the sames leaves three times and still am greeted with this gorgeous sweet yet vetegal melon floral beautiful brew that is making my heart sing. Exactly what I needed to start my day off right. This tea is for sure is a recommended delight. I don’t believe I have ever had an Upton Tea Import tea before but I am so happy to finally have enjoyed their offerings. I have already placed an order and am looking forward to placing several more. I may actually need to pick up another oz or so of this tea since I don’t know if I’ll be able to share this particular delight with the rest of the Sisters. I may be a little stingy with this one!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Upton Tea Imports
Description
This selection has an interesting pedigree, being a mix of two special varietals. The result is a cup somewhat akin to a Kenyan purple tea, with its lavender-brown colored liquor. The aroma has a toasty/nutty sweetness. The cup is delicate and smooth with sweet herbaceous notes and hints of flowers and melon.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Golden Kenya Black Tea GFBOP from Upton Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Upton Tea
Tea Description:
This tea is no longer in the Upton Tea Catalog however I thought it was worth a mention due to its heavy black tea tastes.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Golden Kenya Black Tea GFBOP from Upton Tea is no longer in their catalog but the closely searched and suggested teas that are seem to be their Milima Estate Kenya GFOP and Milima Estate Kenya OP in case you are interested in somewhat comparable teas.
As for my thoughts, opinions, and findings on Upton Tea’s Golden Kenya Black Tea GFBOP – they are as follows…
Golden Kenya Black Tea GFBOP infuses to a very dark brown and has a strong and sturdy black tea taste. Therefore I find it to be exceptional in the morning as a nice ‘wake me up’ tea. There are cocoa notes, too, especially on the end sip. There are deep and dark black plum notes that are barely there as well.
I once tried this iced and at the beginning of the sip found interesting floral notes as well. I though this was pretty fascinating as I didn’t notice those notes with the hot cuppa.
Golden Kenya Black Tea GFBOP from Upton Tea was a mighty fine offering and I hope they bring it back at some point. In the meantime I am looking forward to seeing if their other Kenyan Teas are comparable.
Turkish Style Blend Tea from Upton Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Upton Tea
Tea Description:
A proprietary blend of Ceylon teas created to mimic the style of tea produced in Turkey, which is rarely, if ever, exported. The bold leaves have the faint aroma of vanilla which is also present in the creamy-smooth cup. Infuse for 4-5 minutes to drink straight, or longer if the addition of milk is preferred.
Origin:
Sri LankaSteeping Suggestions:
Leaf Quantity: 2¼ g/cup
Water Temp: 212° (boiling)
Steep Time: 4-5 min.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Turkish Style Blend Tea from Upton Tea is a Ceylon Tea of a more gentle to medium strength black tea. I think it’s ideal to have on hand for black tea newbies. It could make a nice staple to your tea cabinet and/or gentle black tea base to other blends.
Turkish Style Blend Tea from Upton Tea has smaller to medium length leaves and has a subtle crusty aroma to it once infused. It’s medium dark in color once infused, too. The aftertaste is fairly smooth for an unflavored black tea.
This Ceylon Turkish Style Blend Tea from Upton Tea would please the masses!
Richmond Park Blend from Upton Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Upton Tea
Tea Description:
Description:
A mellow, whole-leaf blend of Keemun, Ceylon, and Darjeeling. An exceptional tea that is smooth enough for drinking plain, and sturdy enough to take milk or lemon. From our London blender.Origin:
EnglandSteeping Suggestions:
Leaf Quantity: 2¼ g/cup
Water Temp: 212º (boiling)
Steep Time: 4-5 min.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
According to the production description Richmond Park Blend from Upton Tea is ‘mellow’. I disagree. That’s not a word I would use to describe this tea at all. However, the product description for Richmond Park Blend from Upton Tea does go on to say that it is sturdy enough for the addition of milk or lemon. Eventho I don’t add anything to my cup of tea I will agree that it’s a more sturdy tea overall.
At first sip I wasn’t sure if this tea was on a level playing field when it came to the other black teas offered from Upton Tea. This was a tea that I’m glad I didn’t judge at first sip. It ended up growing on me. It took me a little time to understand Richmond Park Blend from Upton Tea. Once this tea and I ‘became friends’ I ended up enjoying it a lot more.
Keemun, Ceylon, and Darjeeling are blended together for this offering. The flavor layers are ever changing throughout the sip. It’s heavy, then malty, then sweet-woodsy, then smoky, then earthy. This does live up to multiple infusions but be careful not to over infuse!
This is a complex blend that I encourage you to try but be patient with because it’s ever changing and taking the time to get to know will pay off in the end!
Putharjhora Estate Dooars TGBOP Black Tea from Upton Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Upton Tea
Tea Description:
Eventho this specific tea is not currently on their website below you will read a bit more about the estate in which it came from.
The Putharjhora Estate is just west of the Assam district in northeast India and the Dooars region produces teas that are excellent for breakfast or early afternoon drinking.
Learn more about this company here.
Taster’s Review:
My favorite part about drinking teas from Upton Teas is that I get to learn about the different estates and region and I did just that with this Putharjhora Estate Dooars TGBOP Black Tea from Upton Tea.
Putharjhora Estate Dooars TGBOP Black Tea from Upton Tea has gray-black, tippy, twisty leaves that have a fairly standard, average, stereotypical black tea aroma. The brew – once infused – has a slightly peachy flavor that is almost overpowered by an earthy and woodsy nose. As for the flavor of this year it does pack a powerful punch. It’s not the strongest black tea I have had but it’s more intense than what I would consider medium strength. It’s heavy on the musky, wet woods flavor with hints of peach and maybe a bit of lemon, too. Eventho it’s woodsy it does quench your thirst unlike some of the other woodsy (naturally) flavored teas I have tried. It has a lingering muscatel type aftertaste that slowly morphs into something a little sweeter.
Putharjhora Estate Dooars TGBOP Black Tea from Upton Tea is a goodie! It may not be for everyone but it’s for me! Is it for you?