Thank you so much Whiteantlers for letting me enjoy this tea two cups more. Michigan is a cantankerous Goddess, and she decided to snow and keep the snow in April after a few weeks of blooms, sunshine, and breeze. And of course my blood sugar is high this morning, so coffee is not an option. Even black, the caffeine from coffee raises my insulin resistance and renders my veins throbbing with sugary sweet blood. Fortunately, I can enjoy this tea on this white Saturday morning of “spring” getting the roasted profile of coffee I love.
I reread some of the notes on here, and I forgot how people contended the chocolate or cocoa notes of this tea. Then, there’s the “chocolate notes” debate that I’ve recently been a part of and have complained about before with certain oolongs-I’m looking at you Dahongpao. I’ve been able to pick more up on them lately, but for this tea, the cocoa is more in texture and the tea’s bitter-sweetness. But barley and carob are the things that I personally taste more, maybe with a hint of toasted coconut. I’ve had this in conjunction with a carob-barley coffee replacement and they are pretty darn close-only this tea is naturally smoother, lighter, and less bitter (still bitter sweet anyway).
As much as I like this tea, I’m not sure if I could get a large quantity of it. When I crave it, I crave it, but when I’m not in the mood for it, it’s just bitter and roasted. And I noticed that I liked it on cold days. So this tea might be a seasonal one for me. I still have yet to come across a Dark Roast Tie Guan Yin or other dark roast oolong that quite compares.
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Daylon, we are having a lovely snow storm here today, too. My next cup is going to be WPT North Wind.
North Winds is nice. It also happens to be one of the teas that I had an issue with cocoa notes at first. Over time, I grew to really like it. Ailoashan and Second Breakfast remains as my favorite blacks, though I’ve been partially curious with Ancient Spirit. The price is just a little bit too high for me…though I’ve paid higher for tea before.
I enjoyed Ancient Spirit. It reminded me of honey and raisins, depending on which steep I’d done. I have a package out for you, but can send some Ancient Spirit in the near future. Snow continues to fall here-but not stick. :-D
You are spoiling me rotten :) Sounds great. The snow is slowly melting here. Still white as ever.
I have been spoiled by many random acts of kindness, especially by the Steepster community, so the pleasure is mine! :-D
Daylon, we are having a lovely snow storm here today, too. My next cup is going to be WPT North Wind.
North Winds is nice. It also happens to be one of the teas that I had an issue with cocoa notes at first. Over time, I grew to really like it. Ailoashan and Second Breakfast remains as my favorite blacks, though I’ve been partially curious with Ancient Spirit. The price is just a little bit too high for me…though I’ve paid higher for tea before.
I enjoyed Ancient Spirit. It reminded me of honey and raisins, depending on which steep I’d done. I have a package out for you, but can send some Ancient Spirit in the near future. Snow continues to fall here-but not stick. :-D
You are spoiling me rotten :) Sounds great. The snow is slowly melting here. Still white as ever.
I have been spoiled by many random acts of kindness, especially by the Steepster community, so the pleasure is mine! :-D