Customer Reviews

Overall rating: 4.6 / 5 from 5 reviews.

Customer photo review of Paper Lantern | Black Tea

This has the floral honey notes of Anxi. The roasting process really brings out a depth of character in this. I prefer roasty oolong to jade. I can’t speak to what aging does to this cultivar but there’s a dark earthy quality that reminds me of shou puer, but instead of mushroom earth it’s a sweet, rich soil. On its own, brewed gongfu style, 4g to 5oz for 15 seconds, it’s very oolong. Subtle floral honey tones and a mineral base. Brew it a little longer and the earthier sweet potato flavors come through. 205F. 30 seconds to a minute. If you add a bit of honey it takes this to another level. A very interesting tea for sure. I hope this wasn’t a one-off because I’d be curious to try future aged and roasted lots of this tea.

Paper Lantern | Black Tea

This tea has a really nice smoky flavor. The smoke or toasty accent it has is definitely the first thing you will smell and taste, and that transitions into a bit of a nutty flavor with a hint umami. If you are a single cup brewer I think you'll love this 5 stars all the way. I like gongfu brewing and this was very great for the first few steeps, but for me personally I started to lose a little flavor going into the 4th steep and beyond. That initial flavor and mouthfeel that it has though is superb with a lot of bold flavors intermingling.

Paper Lantern | Black Tea

Really lovely, subtle black tea. It has a sweet, mild cocoa flavor with astringency that brews well in-cup and can be steeped repeatedly.

Paper Lantern | Black Tea

This tea reminds me much more of a roasted, aged oolong than most black teas you have likely tried. Roasty, lingering mouthfeel with refreshing slight astringency. Holds up very well to multiple steeps if you are brewing gongfu-style. For the price you get a very nice level of complexity and lingering aftertaste and excellent resteepability.

Paper Lantern | Black Tea

I love this tea. It's rich without being overpowering, and is the perfect morning tea for someone (me) who isn't into breakfast teas. It's true that it is unusual, but it's in the best way. Try it.

Paper Lantern | Black Tea