keemun imperial black tea from teavivre.

Hello friends, long time no see! Apologies for getting burnt out on tea blogging a little bit. I took some time away from sharing everything I was sipping and focused on enjoying things in the moment, and finally I feel the drive to write and share my tea adventures again! Despite being inactive here I've been consistently active on my instagram account. Check me out there!

I was sent a parcel from Teavivre of their Spring 2016 teas, and was thrilled to find the Keemun Imperial black tea tucked inside! A properly done Keemun always makes me think of chilly October afternoons, woodsmoke in the air, and honey-sweet treats -- this particular tea did just that!

This variety of Keemun seemed heavy on the chocolate note. The leaves brewed a lovely clear amber cup. The steam smelled like cocoa and wildflower honey with a slight bit of woodiness. The first sip is smooth and sweet with a slightly smoky tang on the back of the tongue. The malty note keeps this tea feeling earthy and not overly sweet. The malt creates a heartiness that makes this Keemun perfect for sipping in the cooler months (don't let that stop you from brewing in the summer!) and results in a very enjoyable cup. It resteeped nicely and the quality of the brew remained strong after 3 infusions.

Things that came to mind while I sipped: cocoa, dark honey, toast, smoke, pumpkins, autumn air.

The Keemun Imperial black tea was smooth, rich, and very comforting. I recommend picking this one up if you enjoy black teas with cocoa notes, or if you like daydreaming about autumn weather!

reading nook blend from plum deluxe.

I firmly believe tea is one of the loveliest beverages to have on hand while reading. Imagine my delight after being contacted by Plum Deluxe and seeing an offering on their site called the "Reading Nook Blend." I was immediately intrigued. I was sent a few others to try, but this one is being reviewed first as it arrived while I was studying for midterms. Seemed like a perfect brew to help me relax and stay alert!

This blend contains a cream black tea base along with rosebuds, passionflowers, lavender, and chamomile. It brews up a radiant amber cup and the scent is incredibly pleasant. You get a strong floral aroma but the creaminess of the black tea base keeps it from being too perfumey.

The flower I can detect right off the bat is the lavender. The bright flavor bursts through and is followed by a slightly spicy rose note. I pick up on a soft sweetness that I think is from the chamomile blossoms. The notes all blend together in such a way that no floral overpowers another. The balance of the aforementioned notes over the creamy base tea makes for a relaxing cup and is well suited for an afternoon spent reading.

I also found this tea to be immensely enjoyable with a touch of raw honey. The honey amplified the creaminess of the base and allowed some of the brighter notes of the flowers to come through.

Plum Deluxe teas are organic, GMO free, hand-blended, and fair trade! They offer a Tea of the Month Club which features a monthly limited-edition blend for members only as well as a second tea sample. I'll be writing about their Deluxe Pumpkin Spice and Peaches n' Dreams Oolong next!

Even Chai couldn't get enough of the sweet floral aroma!