This Meizhan cultivar is made to customs of processing known in China as "fresh tea" denoting it is made to local timing of harvest, processing and flavor profile. Not made to a standard and certainly varied in its taste each season, this tea well exemplifies China's small farm tea culture. Our lot was grown on a farm that practices organic, traditional farming methods. The farm is located at an elevation of approximately 400-600 meters in the mountains of the Fuding area, Fujian Province. Lot #W6.
Lot Notes. This lot is single-origin, handcrafted offering a high aroma with notes that are varied - sweet and malty to fruity. Hand crafted to preserve and develop the natural flavors of the cultivar, a deft hand in firing has clarified the taste notes and deepened the body of the tea. Tasting this lot, we think this one brings unusual flavors and aromas of the harvest to your cup. Lot was harvested April, 2024.
Tea Facts. Black Cloud is made from a slow-growing, high-mountain cultivar known in Pinyin as Mei Zhan. It is a slow growing tea bush. It is a prized black variety commanding high prices whether processed as a green or a black tea. The leaves are strong and will yield multiple steeps.
Tasting Notes. The leaf is distinct in its aroma – think semi-sweet chocolate. The leaves are oxidized with a focus to creating flavors that linger. Opens to a clear amber liquor with flavors of malt and chocolate, molasses and stone fruit combining to leave a sweetness long after drinking.
Brewing Suggestions. We suggest 3 grams per 6-8 ounces of water. A round tablespoon of leaf will brew up to 12 ounces of tea. Use water at 195-205 F right up to boiling; steep the leaves for 2 minutes and taste. For more flavor, steep with added time. Drain the leaves between steeps and the leaves will yield multiple infusions.
BLACK TEA
3 grams/1 teaspoon per 6 ounces of water
195° - 205° F
2 Minutes
Black tea is a leaf that has been fully oxidized. This rigorous oxidization produces a tea of hearty rich flavors while reducing its astringency and bringing out a natural sweetness.
Flavors will range from bright, brisk, peppery, clean, and smoky to aromatic, bold, malty, nutty, spicy, and sweet. Blacks are known for long, delicately aromatic, and comforting aftertastes. Note, they are often enjoyed with milk or sweetener.
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Black cloud
This tea is special to me. It happens to be Junes tea of the month. Father’s Day and my birthday are in June. Love it! One of my favorites.
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Tea-dious search comes to an end!
I had much trouble finding this specific type of tea after tasting it in Vancouver. It met my expectations and I'm thrilled. Recommend.
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Astonishing black tea
Black Cloud is lovely and complex, malty like a good Assam yet with a background of fruit and a whisper of floral notes. One of my new favourites, and a grand breakfast tea.
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Black Cloud Tea
I mix this tea in with Yunnan for my morning tea. It is rich and chocolaty and complements Yunnan well.
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Black Cloud
This tea has a wonderful pronounced but distinct flavor that reminds me of a yunnan. A mellow malty mouthful. One of my true favorites.
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Black Cloud
I find this a very mild tea- in flavor, body and astringency. Usually i like my tea brewed lightly, but this tea takes a good 3 - 4 minutes to develop. A dash of maltiness, unsweetened cocoa powder, orange/cherry without the acidity or sweetness. Really pleasant touch of bitterness that accents the flavors. Adding a few drops of milk brings out aroma of rose in the back of the throat.
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Not worth the cost
I was looking for a smoky flavor and this tea has it but you need to use at least two tea spoons to get enough brew and flavor. With the extra cost for the tea itself it makes each cup pretty expensive. The flavor is nice you you get it to the desired intensity.
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Black Cloud Loose Black Tea
I love this tea. In addition to the description of its taste that you can read on the site, I find a wonderful taste like coconut. It is a nice, full taste for me.
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Excellent tea!
Just had my first cup of this tea and it matches its description very well. It is delicate and makes the mind follow all the subtle changes in taste with delight and curiosity. It went really well with the stir fry noodle dish that I made and elevated my quick lunch to a very nice slow meal. I steeped it three times and I found it keeps its flavors well. Definitely a keeper!