Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Grace Tea Company
Tea Description:
This extra slow-fired tea is of a rare and extraordinary quality. Our most well known and famous blend has an unusual depth, body and color that can be likened in description to a fine wine. A uniquely crafted tea blended with varying China, Formosan and Indian teas, Winey Keemun follows the traditional formulation of an English Breakfast blend. It’s one of our personal favorites.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
The theme for this month’s Steepster Select Box is “Around the Clock” and features three teas to enjoy at different times … depending upon what time of day it is. As Steepster puts it:
Tea is a loyal companion. Always at your side, ready to infuse any occasion with flavorful, liquid love. Able to pack a punch or hug you close like a warm blanket, there’s a cup that fits any time of day: morning, afternoon, and night. So keep the kettle going for these three teas that will carry you from sunrise to sunset.
Obviously, this Winey Keemun English Breakfast blend from Grace Tea Company represents the morning tea. And what a lovely tea to select as the morning tea! It is bold, rich and delicious. It “packs a punch” but at the same time has a comforting flavor to it. In other words, it is invigorating but it makes me feel good about getting that burst of gusto.
This dark, full-bodied black tea introduces itself with a sweet start, somewhat fruity – like a well-aged wine. During the sip, I notice hints of leather, malt and earth, and a smoky tone in the background. Keemun tea usually has a variable degree of smokiness … some are very smoky while others are on the lighter side, with mere hints of smoky flavor. This tea is on the lighter side of smoky but I don’t know if that is because the Keemun itself is lightly smoky or if it is the fact that it is a component of a blend that includes several different teas, and the simple fact that this is not a straight Keemun tea may be the reason for the light smokiness.
The tea finishes sweet. There is some tangy astringency, but I notice no bitterness. Perhaps this is because I steeped it for just 2 1/2 minutes in my Breville One-Touch which seems to be the magic brew time for black teas such as this, but either way, I am enjoying the lack of bitterness here. The aftertaste is a light, fruity taste that is somewhat reminiscent of a wine-like aftertaste.
A rather enjoyable tea for the morning, I think this would also make a nice tea to enjoy in the early afternoon, perhaps as a pick-me-up, or even just a cup to savor in the company of dear friends.
Two more teas to explore from Steepster’s Around the Clock series, I hope that the teas they have chosen for afternoon and evening are just as enjoyable as this Winey Keemun English Breakfast.
English Breakfast from Hampstead Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Hampstead Tea
Product Description:
Carefully blended black teas from North India create a punchy and full-bodied brew. Londoners like it best with a dash of milk. Great to start a busy day.
Ingredients: Fairtrade black tea
Taster’s Review:
Now THAT’S what I’m talking about! This is an excellent cuppa! And what amazes me most about it is that I brewed it from a teabag. (This blend is also available as loose leaf.)
I have drank (and enjoyed!) many different English Breakfast blends. But, I have found that not all English Breakfast blends are created equal. Some can be rather ordinary. But not this English Breakfast. This IS the English Breakfast blend that others should strive to become.
This is robust! It has a lot of gusto – just what a person needs first thing in the morning. It is a good, solid black tea with a lot of flavor. There is a fair amount of astringency to it, but no bitterness (as long as it’s not oversteeped!) It is a full-bodied, full-flavored blend with a hint of woody earthiness in the background, and a pleasing hint of sweetness.
Most breakfast blends are meant to be served with milk and honey, and this one takes these additions deliciously. For an edgier cuppa, try it without milk.
If you’ve been looking for a really good English Breakfast blend – try this one and you may need to look no further!
Decaffeinated English Breakfast Tea from Choice Organic Teas
Tea Type: Black Tea (Decaf)
Where To Buy: Choice Organic Teas
Product Description:
A traditional British blend of Indian teas decaffeinated using carbon dioxide, the only certified organic method. The taste of this tea is hearty and satisfying, yet bold and brisk.
Tasters Review:
If you are looking for a nice English Breakfast that is Decaf and in a tea bag – Choice Organic Teas is a Must Try!
This is a decent bagged decaf English Breakfast! It’s organic, fair trade, Non-GMO Verified, a Wind Power Company (http://choiceorganicteas.com/certifications.htm#wind), and Kosher! And I think that is WONDERFUL!
It’s not overly strong in taste – I would say a more mild English Breakfast but that taste is good and doesn’t leave an aftertaste.
I, personally, prefer this one ICED but it’s very satisfying both hot and cold!
English Breakfast from Enjoying Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Enjoying Tea
Company Description:
This is a classic blend of Sri Lanka Ceylon flowery pekoe (FP) black tea. Although usually served in the morning, it is the perfect refreshing and invigorating tea for any time of the day. When brewed the English Breakfast produces a bright, full bodied, and amber tea. It is especially enticing with milk and sugar.
Taster’s Review:
Ceylon Tea. This is generally the tea that most people think of when they think of tea. For most of us, this is the tea that we grew up with. For some people, Ceylon tea is a simple, straightforward black tea, even verging on the boring side.
But the Ceylon black tea blend in this English Breakfast tea is anything but boring! It has a smooth yet rich taste. It is perhaps not as strong as some breakfast blends I’ve encountered, and yet, I find myself quite enamored with this cuppa.
The fruity notes of this tea are captivating and encourage me to keep sipping. I can also detect a faint floral note in the background which is quite pleasant. There is a very nice complexity to this tea with multiple layers of flavor. This tea is certainly not boring!
I tried my first cup of this tea without any addition – no sugar, no cream. It is very good like that – a bit on the mellow side, but, quite enjoyable. Then I tried it with a little honey. I found the honey highlights the fruit and flower of this tea very nicely. Delightful!
But where this tea really excels is with the addition of milk and honey! Now it becomes a creamy, almost decadent treat that is welcome at my breakfast table any time.
It is also quite good iced! Try mixing this tea with Enjoying Tea’s Strawberry Black Tea (which I’ll be reviewing in a few days time!) and brewing it up for a very refreshing, delicious iced tea that both kids and adults will enjoy.