95

2tsp for 325 mL water @ 98C. Steeped 5 minutes.

I need strong tea today. Chronic illness and a thoroughly unproductive writing session last night shoved me into a dim little cave. I slept poorly, and then overslept. Weh weh weh.

And what will improve my outlook? Tea will definitely help.

This Monkey Picked Golden Hunan lives up to the packet copy. I should point out that I made it strong and steeped it long, yet it’s not bitter. Oddly, the scent does have bitter notes: oak and a very faint smoke. It’s nowhere near as smoky as a Keemun. The flavour is assertive, but the body is light. The liquor is a murky brown. The leaves remind me of a tippy Yunnan, being long and needle-shaped, a bit fluffy, and morphing from brown to bronze. It’s got more of a caffeine punch than I’ve come to expect from Chinese black tea, and the finish is sweet. Some agreeable leathery notes with a cup this strong. Make me long for some good Yunnan, which I haven’t had in several months.

This tea is on the more expensive side — $13.50 for 50 grams — but is worth it, if you like Chinese black tea.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 5 min, 0 sec
gmathis

Glad you nurtured yourself a little. Sincerely yours, a fellow cave woman.

Lucy

I second that… Also a fellow cave woman.

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gmathis

Glad you nurtured yourself a little. Sincerely yours, a fellow cave woman.

Lucy

I second that… Also a fellow cave woman.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

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Bio

Writer and tea fiend. Author of CONSTANT NOBODY, THIS MARLOWE, DELUDED YOUR SAILORS, SKY WAVES, DOUBLE-BLIND, and THE SHADOW SIDE OF GRACE.

I prefer straight teas but will try almost anything … so long as it’s not tainted with hibiscus. I loathe hibiscus.

Floral oolong and complex black teas are my favourites.

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St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada

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https://michellebutlerhallett...

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