Review: The de Grancy

The de Grancy [Black, flavored] *** $$ by Cafe de Grancy CH

Other Names: None

With my natural distrust for flavoured teas, I approached this one with little expectations. Black flavoured teas especially can be a sh*t show, as european blenders seem to think that the heaviness of black tea can accomodate a serious melange of diverse flavours. The discription of Earl Grey flavored with ginger and rose looked like it might be such a mix but in contrast the blend does very well with all three main flavours (bergamot, rose and ginger) being used sparingly and creating a very pleasant brew. This tea smells very strongly of earl grey.

With flavouring, less is most definitely more...

Similar teas: other european flavor teas, earl grey, lady grey

Tearoom: Cardas in Lausanne, Switzerland

Cardas Tearoom

One could be forgiven for wondering if one is in the right place on entering this teashop as its disguised in as an eclectic interior store - you know the type, one where you can quite put your finger on the category of the store but it has good lighting and lots of cool stuff.

There are a couple of separate areas in the store for tea and coffee in small groups and a small but interesting menu with the possibility to buy larger quantities of most teas for take home. This teahouse stocks House of Gaia blends. 

Their coffees are fair trade, from unusual locations and very smooth.

A ne pas raté!  

Review: Mystery Pu'erh produced by Yongde Xinwen Tea Factory

One of my new favorite pastimes in African teas to trawl Chinese stores in search of new and exciting teas to try. At the T2000 shop in Kigali (Rwanda), I came across this little number. I was reliably informed by the T2000 lady that its a Pu'erh Shan, as the packet didn't leave me any the wiser about the type tea.

I was a little suspicious given that I'd never seen a loose Pu'erh before and especially since the leaves looked a rather vivid green in the packaging (they are in fact the usual dark brown colour), but decided to give it a go....

Mystery Pu'erh [Black, China] *** $$$

Other Names: ??

Quite a fine little pu'erh tea, earthy and grounding, i'll be interested to see how it does in the taste test against my cake Pu'erh once I get home. It reminds me of the floral pu'erh tea bags I was given from China.

Produced by www.teatf.com

Simliar teas: Ozymandias Pu'erh, Pu'erh, Pu'erh Shan

With my friend Patel in the background, who used to be one of the finest chai makers in east africa before he was converted to being a coffee drinker :(

Review: Black by Satemwa, Malawi

This tea is a heavier hitter than many of those on the market in Malawi which tend to be lighter and more darjeeling-esque. Satemwa gains a dark colour within moments of brewing. A very tannic tea that will delight those who like their tea with a punch, or with a good dollop of milk.

Mystery Black, Satemwa, Malawi [Black, Tannic] **, $               - Satemwa, MW

Other Names: None

I could have sworn a caught a slight floral taste in this tea but I'm not sure, it may have been caused by using the same cup to drink from as my Guan Yin....

The second brew i let steep for a very short time (20 secs maybe) but it brought out a LOT more tannins. Holy crap, this tea is heavy. This time I thought I got a little honey flavour but i might be going mad.

Similar teas: Most heavy Indian or Kenyan teas are in this vein, UK and Irish bag teas will therefore also be a good match  

Review: Chombe Tea

Apparently in the days of the Banda dictatorship in Malawi folks would come from all over the country to drink Chombe tea. All I can say is either the tea has changed radically in those days or Malawians have terrible taste in tea. {or just maybe this stuff tastes very different with tons of sugar and milk powder}

Chombe tea, Malawi [Black] no star -$

Other Names: None

OH MY, what is this awful brew? The office stores ran out of Rabs and I was subjected to this awfulness, I got through about half a cup and gave up. It doesnt even taste like real tea, maybe something that someone got half way through washing up and decided to drink. Yuk!

Simliar teas: Lipton black bags

Review: Rabs Teabags

Rabs tea, Malawi [Black] ** -$

Other Names: None

Light in flavour, Declan, my irish collegue in Malawi doesnt like them because they give too pale a colour when he uses milk (the heathen!!). These common little bags are so far the best I've found in malawi, mild enough to be enjoyed black.

Simliar teas: Darjeeling, Kaschmir, Rwanda teas

Review: Chun Mee by Dogan & Acer

Chun Mee, China [Green, Grassy] * $$ -Dogan and Acer, AT

Other Names: Mai Cha

I picked this up on a trip to Vienna but was never very fond of it, slightly grassy in taste and without much of an aroma, I always feel like its a bit of a “nowhere” tea. I returned to it on three different occasions but it never really clicked. I mean, its a typical green tea but otherwise I cant seem to say much about it.

Similar teas: Xin Yang Mao Jian