Ailaoshan Black Tea is a 2014 harvest from the misty Ailao Mountain Nature Preserve in Yunnan China. This rich black tea is sold by Whispering Pines Tea Co, online tea seller based in Michigan.
I had one of Whispering Pines Tea Co teas back in 2012 before I was tea blogging, Campfire Blend, and it was good. Then this tea seller slipped under my radar. I kept hearing more and more good things about their teas, so I decided to put in a small order to try Whispering Pines out again. They got lots of unique woodsy teas blended with pine needles and cedar leaves. Whispering Pines Tea Co also has some good unflavored teas too.
I love when a tea seller describes where a particular tea comes from. On the Aliaoshan Black page Whispering Pines’ site it states:
“This tea is grown at over 2000 meters above sea level and shrouded in warm mist nearly year-round. It is harvested from tea bushes that have been cultivated on the edge of one of the most diverse subtropical ecosystems in the world — The Ailao Mountains (Ailaoshan) Nature Preserve. This nature preserve is home to at least 550 plant species and 460 animal species, including the black gibbon and bengal tiger.”
Mmmm, this tea got snuggled by apes and tigers and now the exotic golden tipped Oolong Owl Tea Owl. Hoot.
Dry Leaf
The dry leaf is has a fruity floral scent and looks like long twists and kinks.
Steeping Instructions
I followed the “fill in the blank” instructions on the package – 3 minute steeping with a water temperature between 200F and 212F (crazy variable kettle restrictions).
After 3 minutes I had a glittering cup of bronzey amber
Tasting of Ailaoshan Black Tea from Whispering Pines Tea Co
Oooooh! Very rich black with lots of complexity going on!
First sip tastes like a fluffy fleshed baked sweet potato with a dark chocolate chip and dark, moist, fat raisin dotted, thick textured bun for dessert. Mid sip I’m getting a more malty rich and deeper coaco flavor. The entire sip is malty, bready, light molasses, raisins and light caramel sweet. The tea has a silky texture with a lightly rich body. Very clean tasting and flavorful. I’m getting a slight dry tingle to this tea – adding a bit of dry at the back of my throat – not enough to hit a 1/10 on the astringency meter.
This tea is very easy to drink – if you are the type who likes adding cream and sugar you will not need to do so for Ailaoshan Black Tea.
Second Infusion: I did a 5 minute reinfusion. The flavor is 25% lighter with mostly rich, malty, cocao, than fruity this time. There caramel flavor comes out more and is delicious! I found the dryness is now a 1/10, adding some dry cheekyness but still some wonderful tingle and energy.
Comments
Drinking Whispering Pines Tea Co‘s Ailaoshan Black Tea is like drinking pure comfort food carbs. OMG I love my carbs! The bready, malty, caramel, potato, chocolate and raisin flavor really hits the mark making a nice snuggly, sweet tooth happy black tea that has no additional flavors added. Be sure to check out this tea if you love a flavorful black!
Bonus: The Tea Owl and I love a nice steamy cup of tea – steam tea facial!
