I have too much black tea. I’ve been mostly guzzling my flavored teas and oolongs, but I have barely touched some of my black ones from Spirit and Trident. As winter comes in, the tannins strike differently and I’ve been able to enjoy these a little bit more. I got more peanut, leather, and malt vibes yesterday which were welcome.

The problem with blacks is I’ve gotten more sensitive to caffeine, and my stomach has been upset easily. I don’t know what is causing it-I drink plenty of water, and though I’ve been stressed, I’ve been able to manage a lot better than previous years. Either way, I have had to stick to milder teas lately. I am thinking about selling or getting rid of a good portion of my stash. The majority of them are higher end malty Chinese blacks like this one and Nepal blacks, with some Darjeelings I’ve barely touched. On the flipside, I have been going through my green teas a lot quicker lately.

Flavors: Leather, Malt, Oak, Peanut

Leafhopper 2 years ago

Caffeine sensitivity fluctuates for me. I never get an upset stomach, but I sometimes have trouble sleeping if I drink tea too late in the day. This can go on for a couple weeks, then seems to fade, and I can drink tea in the early evening again. I’d hold on to your stash for a while to see if your sensitivity resolves.

I seem to be on the opposite trajectory as you are, as I’m gravitating more toward black tea as the weather gets colder. However, I like fruity Fujian and Taiwanese hongcha, not the malty Yunnan varieties.

Daylon R Thomas 2 years ago

Yunnan’s are hit or miss for me. I get foolishly sold by “cocoa notes” nevermind some have more malt than I prefer. I also got a bunch of Himalayan ones that were tippy from trident. They are very good, but I’ve barely touched them, even my Fujian Wuyi Blacks.

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Leafhopper 2 years ago

Caffeine sensitivity fluctuates for me. I never get an upset stomach, but I sometimes have trouble sleeping if I drink tea too late in the day. This can go on for a couple weeks, then seems to fade, and I can drink tea in the early evening again. I’d hold on to your stash for a while to see if your sensitivity resolves.

I seem to be on the opposite trajectory as you are, as I’m gravitating more toward black tea as the weather gets colder. However, I like fruity Fujian and Taiwanese hongcha, not the malty Yunnan varieties.

Daylon R Thomas 2 years ago

Yunnan’s are hit or miss for me. I get foolishly sold by “cocoa notes” nevermind some have more malt than I prefer. I also got a bunch of Himalayan ones that were tippy from trident. They are very good, but I’ve barely touched them, even my Fujian Wuyi Blacks.

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First Off, Current Targets:

Whispering Pines Alice
Good Luxurious Work Teas
Wang Family’s Jasmine Shanlinxi
Spring, Winter Taiwan High Mountain Oolongs

Dislikes: Heavy Tannin, Astringency, Bitterness, or Fake Flavor, Overly herby herbal or aged teas

Picky with: Higher Oxidation Oolongs, Red Oolongs (Some I love, others give me headaches or are almost too sweet), Mint Teas

Currently, my stash is overflowing. Among my favorites are What-Cha’s Lishan Black, Amber Gaba Oolong, Lishan Oolong, Qilan Oolong, White Rhino, Kenya Silver Needle, Tong Mu Lapsang Black (Unsmoked); Whispering Pines Alice, Taiwanese Assam, Wang’s Shanlinxi, Cuifeng, Dayuling, Jasmine Shan Lin Xi; Beautiful Taiwan Tea Co.“Old Style” Dong Ding, Mandala Milk Oolong; Paru’s Milk Oolong

Me:

I am an MSU graduate, and current alternative ed. high school social studies and history teacher. I formerly minored in anthropology, and I love Egyptian and classical history. I love to read, write, draw, paint, sculpt, fence(with a sword), practice calisthenics on rings, lift weights, workout, relax, and drink a cuppa tea…or twenty.

I’ve been drinking green and black teas ever since I was little living in Hawaii. Eastern Asian influence was prominent with my friends and where I grew up, so I’ve been exposed to some tea culture at a young age. I’ve come a long way since I began on steepster and now drink most teas gong fu, especially oolong. Any tea that is naturally creamy, fruity, or sweet without a lot of added flavoring ranks as a must have for me. I also love black teas and dark oolongs with the elusive “cocoa” note. My favorites are lighter Earl Greys, some white teas like What-Cha’s Kenyan offerings, most Hong-Cha’s, darker Darjeelings, almost anything from Nepal, Green Shan Lin Xi’s, and Greener Dong Dings. I’m in the process of trying Alishan’s. I also tend to really enjoy Yunnan Black or Red teas and white teas. I’m pickier with other teas like chamomile, green teas, and Masalas among several.

I used to give ratings, but now I only rate teas that have a strong impression on me. If I really like it, I’ll write it down.

I’ll enjoy a tea almost no matter what, even if the purpose is more medicinal, for it is my truest vice and addiction.

Location

Michigan, USA

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