Tea Review Tuesday - A Review of Butiki Teas' "The Black Lotus" Black Tea

Today's review comes from Butiki Teas, a company that has sadly closed for business. While this tea is no longer available from their website, you may be able to source it elsewhere. This was sent to me by a tea chum for which I am very grateful!

The Black Lotus by Butiki Teas combines three separate black teas into one delectable blend: Premium Taiwanese Assam, Giddapahar Darjeeling Extra Special, and Congou Keemun. Measuring two teaspoons, I steep this for four minutes in twelve ounces of just-boiled water, inhaling the aromas of the steeping leaves. A touch of maltiness, a hint of spice, and a bit of black-tea-sweetness all drift from the cup. The Assam's malty notes are especially noticeable, along with a bit of spiciness, which might come from the Assam of the Keemun.

After four minutes and allowing the tea to cool a bit, I take my first sip of the black tea blend, which reveals a very full-bodied tea, belied by the soft aromas. I find it very interesting how notes of all three teas are so noticeable, separately, yet blend together quite seemlessly. The foretaste contains mostly blended flavors, while the sides of the body mostly resemble Keemun. Malty low notes accentuate the tea throughout the body and then settle on the back of the tongue in the aftertaste. The flavors are bold and in-your-face, yet smooth and without much, if any, astringency.

I have to say, that was a very tasty cup of tea. I was sorry to hear that Butiki Teas was no longer in business, but I am glad I got the opportunity to sample The Black Lotus. On my personal enjoyment scale, I would rate this tea a 92/100.



Photo credit to Built from Ink and Tea.
Butiki Teas is no longer open for business.
This review was unsolicited and uncompensated.
Text is copyright 2015, Built from Ink and Tea.