"Silk Road" Black Tea Sampler

by Adagio Teas

Product Features

• wonderful introduction to the wide range of Chinese black teas
• includes teas from the Yunnan, Keemun, and Pu Erh regions
• fresh full-leaf teas sourced direct from origin
• great source of antioxidants, without fat, sugar, calories or carbs
• four tea samples, each making 8-10 cups (32-40 cups total)

Product Description

A wonderful introduction to the wide range of Chinese black teas: yunnan jig - Black tea from Yunnan, China. Soft tea with an abundance of golden tips. Sweet, almost creamy aroma. Rich and savory flavor, with a slight cocoa powder finish. Earthy and spicy and soft, smooth mouthfeel and finish. Classic Yunnan. english breakfast - Classic English Breakfast was made with black Keemun tea from Anhui, China. Ours stays close to tradition, with fine quality Keemun: slightly smoky flavor and perfectly 'on point' astringency. Balanced, very honeyed aroma. An Adagio best seller. pu erh poe - A rare aged, fermented tea from Yunnan, China, pu'erh stands apart with its uncommonly soft earthy flavor. Freshly damp forest aroma, warm hay inside a barn, mushrooms and savory vegetables. Wilted flower notes and faintly dark chocolate texture. yunnan noir - Hand-rolled black tea from Yunnan, China, with leaves curled into a 'black snail' shape. Sweet aroma, hints of honey and spice. Savory and winey on the palate, smooth fruity astringency, cinnamon bark and nutmeg finish. Very textured cup of tea.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 2.5 x 6 inches ; 4 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0000CERYK
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,170 in Grocery & Gourmet Food (See Top 100 in Grocery & Gourmet Food)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really nice, high-quality, diverse teas, for a good price, December 19, 2008

By 

PithyTag (Around...) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: "Silk Road" Black Tea Sampler (Misc.)

I got this set and their green tea sampler, along with a ForLife single-mug infuser, and I now have really amazing tea whenever I want it. The 6 teas are all quite different, with a huge variety of scent and flavor. Each tin is labeled with the proper water temperature and steeping time. (Although they should add a relative strength and/or amount indicator.)

The amount is remarkably generous for the price, given that these are gourmet teas, with full-size uncut leaves. I've had large mugs of each tea probably 4 times already, and I'm no more than 1/3 of the way into each tin. The quality is so high, and the flavors so rich, I tend to refill each mug at least once, and get a second cup nearly as good as the first.

These sets are three excellent things in one: first, they're a perfect introduction to a range of fine teas, like getting a 6-bottle tasting at the best wine shop in the city. Second, along with a mug infuser and an electric kettle, they're the perfect way to enjoy good tea at the office, with tons of variety. Last, they're just a great deal on a sizable volume of really nice teas. (Think of the money you'll save over Starbucks at the office: I'm probably paying $.25 a mug for this tea, even without the refills...)

(To do these teas justice, do be sure to spend 5 minutes reading about tea preparation. Learn to "read" the ballpark temperature of the water, depending on how hard it's boiling. And pour just a little water over the leaves and let them sit for a few seconds before you add the rest of the water. This releases all the aromas in the tea, so you can get a better feel for the distinctness of each one. And don't over-steep: that'll turn your tea bitter and uninteresting, covering up the flavors. This all can sound nit-picky, but it really makes a difference in your enjoyment of the tea. It also turns it into a much more meditative, relaxing experience, which is the point of good tea, right?)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome tea, October 17, 2008

By 

Margaret H. Bonham "skywarrior" (Montana, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: "Silk Road" Black Tea Sampler (Misc.)

I'm a huge fan of Adagio teas. These teas really turned me onto loose teas, so I think they're some of the best. If you're new at loose tea, (beyond the typical store-bought stuff) I suggest you try the ceylon and the assam first. The Golden Monkey (or Golden Needle) is superb and if you're a fan of Darjeeling, try it. Lot of people love keemun -- and it's a very good tea. Pu erh takes a lot of getting used to -- and I can't stand it, so don't try this first unless you've have pu erh, and even then!

You will simply be amazed at this tea.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Place To Start If You're New To Loose Tea, November 24, 2007

By 

G. Nolf (Rehoboth Beach, DE USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: "Silk Road" Black Tea Sampler (Misc.)

This was one of the assortments I started with on my first loose tea order. My favorites in this collection included the Ceylon Sonata and the Golden Monkey.

I feel this is a good place to start if you're looking to come off of low-quality store-bought tea bags. If you plan on making iced tea, I recommend getting flavored teas instead.