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derk drank English Teatime by Bigelow

1705 tasting notes

I think this came from a Best Western in Tucson, AZ, or maybe in Indio, CA? Yes, I raid continental breakfast tea stashes.

Brews very quickly, producing a dense woody, coppery taste to go along with the deep copper hue. Malt is there but not so pronounced for me. Simultaneously smooth and with some sharp edges that leave it pleasant in the mouth but a bit too strong in the stomach. Bigelow’s greatest consistency, beyond selling low quality tea, is that the taste of the paper teabag permeates everything they make. However, like with Constant Comment, the tea is strong enough that it covers well a flavor I don’t want expressed.

Really, this is decent and probably the best Bigelow black teabag I’ve had aside from Constant Comment! Okay in a morning pinch as it hits all the marks of a breakfast tea for me — strong flavor, smooth and rich yet with noticeable but not overwhelming astringency, bitterness and acidity.

Flavors: Copper, Malt, Woody

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This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. Yet I persist.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, and Nepal. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possesses off flavor/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s puerh, I likely think it needs more age.

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