(no subject)

[darchildre]

So, I get a monthly tea subscription box from tearunners.com. (I've gotten other tea subscription boxes over the years, but I like this one especially because they let you customize your box before it gets shipped to you - so you sign up for a particular box and they send you a list of all the things that will be in your box and also all the other boxes, so that if there's something in your box that you know you hate, you can swap. Which is nice, as there are some fairly common tea types (Earl Grey, most spiced teas, teas that contain hibiscus) that I really don't like.) So once a month I get four sample-sized packets of tea, usually enough to make five or six cups. It's cool, because it lets my try teas that I'm curious about but not curious enough to commit to a larger amount, especially of something that might be a little pricey.

This month, one of my samples was a pu ehr tea, which is a tea variety that definitely falls into the above category. Pu ehr is one of those things that, when you read about it online, you get a lot of people telling you that it's an acquired taste and it's not for everyone, which makes you a little wary. But hey, sample size - if I hate it, it's no big deal, right?

I got six little discs of compressed tea, each individually wrapped in paper. The tea brews up extremely dark, almost black, and has an underlying earthy funk to it - I can see why it might put people off but you guys, I absolutely love it. It reminds me, more than anything, of buckwheat honey. Which is another not-for-everyone food and the only thing I've ever had the proprietor of a farmer's market stall warn me about before buying but that I also really love. I'm really happy to have found something else that weird "this kinda tastes like dirt and I'm really into it" niche.

So now I have to buy some more pu ehr tea, I guess.

Comments

[mecurtin]

Have you ever had Hu Kwa? It's a lapsang souchong, less artificial-smoke-flavor and more complex (i.e. dirt) than others. I love it, but it's another "not for everyone" tea that you might like.

[darchildre]

I have not, but that sounds awesome - thanks so much for the recommendation!

[sixbeforelunch]

Oh neat! I am definitely bookmarking for later. (I'm tempted to sign up right now, but I have been on a tea buying binge lately, and it would be absurd to buy any more.)

I'm glad you found something you like!

[frenchroast]

You're the first person I know that likes it, but it's good to know all different kinds of teas are loved.

I know exactly what you mean about the "kinda tastes like dirt" thing--it's just that for me, it doesn't work. But that's a really good descriptor.

Also, good to know about tearunners allowing some customization. Because I definitely have some pu ehr tea I've gotten from other subscription boxes that I would absolutely have avoided if I could. I can send them your way if you want to pm me your address (I have it somewhere for holiday cards, but I'm not sure where).

[tricksters_queen]

Dragon and I sometimes describe wines as "earthy/tastes like dirt", too... and I love buckwheat honey! Maybe I should check out the subscription box from tearunners. It sounds fun! :)

[darchildre]

I really enjoy it - you get enough tea to evaluate whether or not you like something new without getting so much that you feel bad if you hate it (looking at you, violet-flavored tea). Plus, it's a nice way to try things that you aren't sure about, like the pu ehr, or things that are more expensive than the teas I'd usually by, also like the pu ehr.