Fun introduction to black teas! Box contained a nice, wide variety of black teas. I was able to triangulate which teas I might like to order next time based on the teas in the box. going through each tea one-by-one was a lot of fun. Subjective reviews of each individual tea: Competition grade jin jun mei: chocolate, cereal, roast grains, leaf pile on the nose. Roast grains, low tannin, hay on the palate. Grade: A 2024 yunnan sourcing "ku zhu hsan hong" black tea cake: bitter black tea, dry laundry, dry barnyard on the nose. High bitterness, slightly soapy, medium-low tannins, old book, something vaguely floral on the palate. Flavor is complex and heady. Grade: B. It's interesting to drink, but not necessarily pleasant. Bai ye varietal dan cong black tea: berry, dryer sheet, hibiscus on the nose. Dryer sheet, medium tannin, dried raspberry, chlorophyl, spice, soap on the palate. Grade: B minus. It's really trying to be one of my favorites, but comes across as a bit too soapy. Jiu Qu Hong Mei "Red Plum": black tea, old plums on a hot sidewalk, leaf litter, honey, banana on the nose. Med+ tannin, mild overripe dark fruit, medium-low bitterness, mild hint of raspberry in the finish on the palate. Grade: B plus. It's nice! It has opinions, but not strong ones. Imperial grade laoshan black tea from shandong: chocolate, roast grains, granola, slight plum on nose. Roast grains, granola, medium tannins, low bitterness, round mouthfeel, slight acidity on palate. Tiny hint of marshmallow in the finish. Grade: A. This tea is beautiful. The nose is wonderful, it's easy on the palate, and it's fun to drink. Old arbor black tea "mu shu hong" pure yunnan assamica: dryer sheet and tea on nose. Not strongly aromatic. Bitter, slightly dusty, leaf mulch on palate. Nondescript. Grade: C plus. Inoffensive, but not special in any way. Imperial grade qimen black tea of huanshan: green waste bin, tea, fresh dough on nose. Briny, viscous, floral like Flonase on palate. Grade: B minus. The brininess is oddly harsh. It comes across as a bit soapy. Light roast wild tree purple varietal black tea of dehong: dust, dried apple on the nose. Hint of dried apple, hint of hay on palate. Lightly fruity, slightly hoppy finish. Grade: B plus. Pleasant, but not standout in any particular way. Orchid aroma Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong black tea: Very green and vegetal, slight floral/vanilla and wet dog on nose. Low bitterness & tannin, mild acidity, nutty, floral/vanilla/honey, wet leaves, grapefruity hops on palate. Grade: B minus. Drinkable, not my first choice. Feng Quingn "Golden pekoe #100" Dian Hong black tea: Cocoa and granola on the nose. Raw grain, brine, cocoa powder, medium-high bitterness and tannin on palate. Grade: A. Solidly delicious with interesting complexity.
