Dear Tea Lovers,

I love Chinese Red teas (or Black as we know them in the Western world). They are my go-to type of tea for all times of the day. Sure, I adore Puerh tea, and I will never say no to a delicious roasted oolong, but Chinese red tea tends to be my favorite of the tea world. I love the malty aroma, and the subtle citrus notes of a nice fresh steaming pot of red tea.

One of my all time favorite red teas simply has to be Laoshan black tea. This relatively under-represented red tea originates from the Shandong province of China and, as the name suggests, is produced in Laoshan Village. This tea is beginning to gain popularity in the west, mostly thanks to online tea vendor Verdant Tea. It was through them that I first tried some Laoshan black with their 5 teas for $5 deal, which they still have today for new customers. (That is such an awesome deal for anyone who might want to try this tea, and four other great teas!)

Laoshan black is such a unique tea with a flavor profile unlike any other red tea I have tried. My first impression of this tea was a blast of nostalgia. The aroma and flavor of the tea threw me back to days when me and my family would go to Cracker Barrel for dinner. The scent of the barrels and barrels of fresh roasted peanuts in the shell was surrounding my senses as I remembered cracking the shells of peanuts with my dad and little brother.

But, there was more to this tea. There was a rich roasted flavor to be sure, however there was also a intense dark chocolate taste as well. I am talking raw dark chocolate before the addition of sugar. Lighter on the palate, I was able to detect some citrus notes as well as a dark cherry taste. This tea was robust, but not bitter. Perfect for former coffee drinkers and tea drinkers alike! So definitely give it a try if you haven't already.

Cheers to you all,

The Tea Connoseuir, Matt