Grand Yunnan Impérial

After a week of burned-out tastebuds, I’m weaning myself off the decongestant and spicy stuff and decided to try something a little subtler this morning.

For a Yunnan, which I’ve characterized as perky and zingy in the past, this is pretty sweet and mild. Other reviews mention honey and hay notes—I get the honey more than hay. There’s not quite enough heft for me to classify this as a breakfast tea strong enough to suit me, but I did get two reasonable, smooth steeps out of the leaves.

Palais Des Thes Advent Calendar Day 15:
The recommended steeping parameters are 195F but I decided to steep it using boiling water instead.
I really liked this one it was just really sweet, very smooth, and not bitter or astringent etc. Honestly I couldn’t necessarily pick out any specific flavor notes just really appreciated the sweetness and pleasantness.

Palais des Thés Advent Calendar – Day 15 (from November backlog)

It’s always nice when there’s a straight black tea in one of my advents, so I can enjoy it as my first tea of the morning. That being said, it’s really a waste because I’m not likely to ever order a straight tea from a primarily flavored company, as there are usually much better and cheaper sources… But I digress.

This is just okay. It’s very heavy on the earthy, minerally notes which sort of overpower any more subtle flavors that might have been here. There’s a strong woodiness as well, and a bit of malt. And that’s it, really, I don’t get any fruit or honey or any of the other lovely things I generally find in a nice Yunnan tea.

Oh well! It’s not bad, just meh, especially when compared to other Yunnan teas in my cupboard.

This is very good high quality leafs that produce a lovely rounded malty, nutty brew with almonds, forest flor, grain and dried fruits. Palate is rich yet subtle and ending is fruity with no bitterness. A great allround black tea with no fuss. Great in the morning but i could enjoy it also in the afternoon on its own

A great robust black tea. Great for breakfast with a touch of milk and honey.

This is a strong cup, but not so strong I can’t drink it straight with no milk. That being said, I think it would take milk really well. It is perfect for a morning pick me up.

Nicole sent this one to me, and i figured what better way to kick off a sunday on a long weekend than with two different yunnans and an everything bagel with cream cheese :) I love this one. It’s rich and smooth with just a hint of maltiness. I am a fan! thanks again nicole!

What a lovely yunnan! It smells intensely of honey, and some of that comes through in the taste too. There are also some hay notes and a deeper earthiness that keeps it from being too light. It’s much smoother than some yunnans I’ve had, which makes for a good cup to savor slowly. I think I would get this one again.

Also received this in my Try the World Paris box… it’s a decent black, but I’ve definitely had better.