62

l’ve been wanting this for six weeks, but I was waiting for RtR to get in a couple of FF Darjeelings so I could do just one order. Well, RtR had a free shipping promo this week and, alas, they never got the Darjeeling I wanted so I just placed my order. I’ve got a problem with the way RtR gives out free samples, but I’ll deal with that in another review. Otherwise, their shipping is very fast, packing is good and no complaints with my order. The tea is packed in re-sealable pouches that are foil/mylar on the inside and brown kraft paper on the outside. BTW, RtR is a division of RoT-they even ship from the exact same address.

This is my first Kenyan tea-I’ve heard they are very high in caffeine, so I’ll probably only have one cup today. Dry leaves are very dark brown with a couple light-medium brown leaves (tips?). They are short-medium in length, and tightly rolled. I do smell the cedar in the dry leaves that RtR promises, but little else specific. Something fruity. Maybe the dried plum they mentioned. It’s a pleasant aroma.

The brewed leaves actually brighten up a touch to a dark olive green and medium brown. The liquor was copper before I finished putting water in the cup and turns mahogany brown when fully steeped.

Taste is brisk with some bitterness in the aftertaste. I detect some sort of floral note, which is definitely unwelcome in a breakfast tea. Makes me think someone dumped a few oolong leaves in this-but it’s not a blend. The floral taste is not dominant, but it’s off-putting. The flavor overall is kind of unusual and I’m not sure how much I like. it. Bitterness is really increasing as this starts to cool, so don’t let it cool too much because it will become undrinkable.

I’ll give this a preliminary score-subject to change after further cuppings.

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec
TeaBrat

I ordered this one too, sorry to hear about the bitterness, try steeping at a lower temperature and see if that helps.

Scott B

Thanks. Bitterness wasn’t too bad until the temp really dropped, but I will definitely brew lower next time.

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TeaBrat

I ordered this one too, sorry to hear about the bitterness, try steeping at a lower temperature and see if that helps.

Scott B

Thanks. Bitterness wasn’t too bad until the temp really dropped, but I will definitely brew lower next time.

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Bio

Started drinking tea for health benefits maybe 5 years ago-exclusively bagged tea. Usually went for various Celestial Seasonings type of stuff. I bought a tea infuser at a gourmet shop once and then I realized there was almost no loose tea available. Eventually tiring of bags, I started ordering loose tea online and I have never gone back. Initially, I was exploring all the wild and exotic flavor combinations, but now I mostly drink straight teas. I still enjoy blended teas-but prefer those without “flavoring”. Hope to learn here and find some new teas I might not otherwise find. Am a vegan, so “milk” generally means “soymilk” to me. If it’s almond, rice, or coconut, I will mention that fact.

I am new here, and new to reviewing tea. Many of my initial reviews will be from memory and may not be very detailed at all. I hope to write more informative reviews on current and future teas.

I won’t let external factors affect my rating of the tea-such as slow shipping, too expensive, etc. I’ll mention any customer service problems in my reviews. I also won’t let my mistakes in not following the seller’s recommended parameters affect a rating. I can’t believe people who say “I forgot about it and oversteeped it” and then give it a rating. If I brew outside the parameters, I will wait until I brew it right before I give it a rating.

TEMPORARY RATING SYSTEM- Don’t hold me to these numbers and descriptions-like George Bluth, I like to tweak.

90+ It’s awesome, right?? I’ll probably try to keep it on hand.

80-89 – I really like this and will buy it again at some point, but there are so many teas to try!

70-79 – This is a pretty good tea and I may buy it again based on my mood, what tea store I am buying from, and what kind of deal I can get.

60-69 – This is okay. I finished the bag. I would drink it again if offered, but would not buy it again.

40-59 – IF I finished the bag, I recall this tea thinking “Why in the hell did I finish the bag?”

1-39 – Did not finish the bag. Maybe not even the cup. Tea was given away or discarded.

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