TeaChat

So over Christmas, I was gifted a "breakfast basket" of sorts from Davidson's. Snuggled in it was a box of English Breakfast tea (bagged) which they're calling an Indian Assam. Last night was cold here in N. Carolina - perfect time to try it.

Unwrapped: Smelled of strong fruit, with a slight floral note.

Now the package said 3-5 minutes. I tested it at 3,4, and finally settled on the full 5.

5 min, 6 oz. water: Bag had been removed, and the liquid was a deep brown with a very strong fruit, almost wine scent. Taste confirmed it. Pleasantly enough, for a bagged tea, no bitterness....yet! Full, smooth, robust, wine-like with a hint of vanilla. Slight bitterness on aftertaste. Overall, I liked it.

I had noticed that Davidson's had what they're calling loose leaf - and I'm particularly attracted to the Earl Grey. Anyone have any experience with these folks?

Peace, love, and tea -
Jess

I don't know if this is just my computer, but i got a warning right off the bat when I clicked that link that it contained malware. I just looked at the website, and I must be honest with you: the tea looks cheap and the prices are rather high. if you'd like decent hongcha, well, there are plenty of places to look, like red blossom and jing tea shop. don't take my word for it solely - ask other members about good hongcha.

http://www.redblossomtea.com/

http://www.jingteashop.com/cat-jing-tea ... ed-tea.cfm

Also, English Breakfast tea is just a name, where if I understand right, the blends can change. some have just assam, some will have ceylon and assam, or even other areas of indian black tea. because the teas are blended (and in a bag), they are most likely to be of lower quality than that of (most) loose teas.

Happy Drinking,

Bryan

Thankyou. I think it was just your computer, as I took the link directly from their website, but just in case, I removed it anyway.

As for the "if you really want..." - that is precisely why I am on a forum such as this. It's a learning experience, and that's why I value other opinions. I admit to knowing absolutely nothing, and make no apology for that.

The blends.. yes, that's one thing I had prior knowledge on. This particular one used Assam. They offer one that is an Assam/Darjeeling, etc.
The links look good - I may check them out. To be honest, as you know, finances don't support the pursuing, for lack of a better word, of good Hongcha. I'm just in the information gathering stages.

Thanks again for your valued insight, Bryan.
Peace, love and tea -
Jess

To answer your question.
If you liked there bagged tea.

Then you are almost bound to like the loose leaf tea.

I'd be shocked if any vendor had bagged tea that was better then its loose leaf.