While this is a tea blend from Harney & Sons, it is also sold through a Toronto based company, Premium Teas. “Premium Teas wanted to make the most coveted Harney & Sons Fine Teas widely accessible in Canada and that was our main focus since inception. Harney & Sons Teas are too good to keep a secret. Share a real cup of tea with friends and family.” Let’s do just that. I’m sharing my tea thoughts on one of their signature black tea blends.
– TEA INFORMATION –
Country of Origin: China
Ingredients: Keemun, Panning and Yunnan Black Tea
Water Temperature: 100 degrees Celsius
Steep Time: 5 minutes
– APPEARANCE+AROMA –
Dry Leaf: Dark with some golden tips, earthy, barn-like (hay).
Wet Leaf: Dark, slightly smoky.
Liquor: Deep red hues, malty (reminds me of toast) and faint smokiness.
First Sip Thought: “Roasted fruits.”
Tasting Notes: I think the Keemun here really completes this black tea blend. The smoky edge is just what it needs and makes for a great steep. I was surprised by some fruity notes within in the first few sips, roasted fruits to be exact. However, throughout, the tea blend was malty and the notes became slightly sweet, with dark chocolate undertones. The sweetness is a nice touch, and reminds me of delicious salted caramel or even maple. I’m not sure if that’s just because I have been known to add a dash of real maple syrup to Keemun many times before (don’t knock it until you try it!). Either way, this tea keeps me thinking of a Canadian summer night by the campfire, roasting away and with one deep inhale enjoying the fresh maple near by. It really is an exceptional taste for anytime during the day.
Did You Know? – Queen Catherine is the tea featured in the world-famous Museum of Tea in Hangzhou, China, where Harney & Sons is the only Western tea company to receive this honor. The President of Portugal presented a tin of this tea to the President of China, and later this tea was exhibited at the Chinese Museum of Tea in Hangzhou China.
Verdict:
*Interested in this tea? You can find it online here.
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Giveaway:
Thanks to the fabulous people at Premium Teas, one lucky The Cup of Life reader can have a chance to win a 4oz tin of Harney & Sons’ Queen Catherine black tea blend ($15.99 retail value). Giveaway is open to residents of Canada (excluding Quebec) and will run from Monday, July 4th to Monday, July 11th, 2016. The winner will be selected at random on July 12th and will be contacted directly to claim their prize. You may view full terms and conditions here.
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