What a perfect name for this black tea.  The golden leaves are very vibrant and the fresh aroma of the dried tea leaves is very spring-like.  Like most of my favorite teas, I enjoy the aroma just as much as the flavor.  I’m not sure why, but whenever I find a tea with a golden color, I have to try it.  A lot of my favorite Yunnan varieties have a similar color.  I’m assuming Adagio named this tea after the fact that it is from Fujian Province and it’s harvested in the early spring

Adagio.com describes the tea as: “A delicate black tea from Fujian Province harvested early in the Spring. The leaves are panfried and hand-rolled, capturing a fresh, sweet flavor unique to the season. Downy golden curled buds are interspersed throughout this majestic tea evoking visual color-play between gold and black. The heady aroma of both the dried and infused leaves has a distinct savory-sweet note that transcends richly into the cup. A decadent, almost “meaty” aftertaste makes for a very satisfying umami-sweet experience.”

Often, I don’t agree with the tea vendors description, but this one is pretty much perfect.  You have the great visual of the golden panfried and hand-rolled tea leaves.  For the few times that I get to make tea for people, it’s nice to have one on the shelf that looks “cool”, but I know people will enjoy it. The aroma reminds me of the smells you would experience standing next to a calmly flowing stream carving its way through the mountains where all the wild flowers and grasses are absorbing all the morning dew as the sun just starts to shine (it reminds me of Colorado).  At times I detect a slight tobacco scent to it – a sweet tobacco smell. I even detect a faint grape-like aroma.

To prepare the tea, I let the water cool from a boil for about 2 minutes (maybe 200 degrees).  After about 3-5 minutes of steeping, you’re left with a delicious cup of tea.  I’ve had 6 cups and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed each one.  Having said that, this tea is unique.  I sometimes find the sweetness in the flavor that I detected in the scent of the dry tea.  Other times, it is more earthy with a classic smooth (lighter) Yunnan flavor to it.  Either way, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with its flavor.  If you like stronger teas, this one might come up short.  If you want one with a great presentation, aroma, and pleasant flavor – give this a try.

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I’ve been craving a Yunnan black tea for several weeks.  I noticed Adagio had a new Yunnan tea, so it was perfect timing.   After another effortless order and quick shipping, the tea arrived.  I was almost as excited to inhale the aroma of the dried tea as I was to taste the tea.

Adagio describes the tea as: “Yunnan is a region in China known for growing large-leaf tea. High mountains covered by mist, clean water and rich soil form ideal growing conditions and contribute to the unique flavor of Yunnan black tea. Our Yunnan Noir is a hand-rolled version of this famous variety, with tightly rolled leaves into a “black snail” shape. The aroma is sweet with hints of honey and fruit. To the palate it is red wine-like with notes of fruit and cocoa and reveals an intense depth of character with each beguiling sip.”

I enjoy a tea with character and this tea has lots of it.  It starts with the presentation.  The mix of dark and golden tightly coiled tea leaves begins the experience.  To me, Yunnan black teas have a rustic scent and flavor to them.  I immediately think of nature and the outdoors with each sip (perfect for spring).  I definitely detect a hint of cocoa in the flavor, but the flavors really start to reveal themselves as the temperature cools.  As I take a sip, I get a blast of sweet aroma while simultaneously experiencing the deep flavors of Yunnan Noir.  There is a slight earthy flavor to this tea.  The aftertaste is where I detect sweetness in the flavor.  That’s what I like about many teas…it’s a journey from start to finish.

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One of the first Japanese green teas I’ve ever tried was Adagio’s Sencha Overture. For those of you that drink Sencha you know that distinct vegetally sweet flavor that is everlasting. The dark green, thin, dried tea leaves are full of flavor and antioxidants. If you are new to green tea or you want to start drinking real tea that doesn’t taste like a flower, fruit or candy – give this a try. Yes, the first time I drank Sencha, it reminded me of a mix of seaweed and vitamins. After the initial shock, I started to appreciate the grassy flavor mixed with sweet and nutty notes. Adagio’s Sencha Overture is an affordable everyday green tea that is havested during the second flush. The tea comes from the Shizuoka region of Japan.  It’s important not to over steep Sencha.  Adagio recommends a 3 minute steeping time with a water temperature of 180 degrees.  You may need to experiment with your steeping equipment to find your desired flavor.

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