Black tea without milk/sugar? Suggestions?

OK, I'm finally going to try to break my disinterest in black teas.
Basically I've tried a number of Keemuns, Ceylons, etc. and very few
ever do much for me. The only time I turn to a black tea is when I
fill it full of raw or some other (Thistle, red bamboo, orange
blossom) honey. I tend to go with like 2-3 tblsp of honey to 6-8oz.
black tea. I don't really go for milk in any way in my tea, and on
rare occasions I will go with a yellow lump sugar or turbinado.

I had an enjoyable Dimbula Ceylon, I enjoy the Mlesna Monk's Blend,
don't like the peppery blacks (some Yunnans I've had), and have had
very little to like in the Keemuns. I like smooth, medium body, fairly
strong black tea. I'll even admit to my enjoyment of Luzianne tea bags
(brewed hot).

I'm up for suggestions

- Dominic

have you tried the black yunnans that are kind of creamy smooth
tasting, not much astringency?

On Dec 6, 11:37 am, SN <SilverNeed...@> wrote:
> have you tried the black yunnans that are kind of creamy smooth
> tasting, not much astringency?

I've been through tons over the years, but never a real focused or
intense undertaking. I'd take a few suggestions for some specific teas
(and even links to vendors of you have them) that fit your
description. Really I'm amenable to try anything, even teas I've
previously written off, I'm just really looking for some good jumping
off points or well loved favorites from folks here.

I had been looking over Teaspring's Chinese black list and a few other
bigger vendors like Upton's to get an assorted order together.

- Dominic

P.S. Anyone interested in honey should seek out and enjoy a red bamboo
honey... it is a very unique flavor that matches well with black
tea... and the real reason I'm interested in exploring blacks.

On Dec 6, 10:52 am, "Dominic T." <dominictibe...@> wrote:
> OK, I'm finally going to try to break my disinterest in black teas.
> Basically I've tried a number of Keemuns, Ceylons, etc. and very few
> ever do much for me. The only time I turn to a black tea is when I
> fill it full of raw or some other (Thistle, red bamboo, orange
> blossom) honey. I tend to go with like 2-3 tblsp of honey to 6-8oz.
> black tea. I don't really go for milk in any way in my tea, and on
> rare occasions I will go with a yellow lump sugar or turbinado.
>
> I had an enjoyable Dimbula Ceylon, I enjoy the Mlesna Monk's Blend,
> don't like the peppery blacks (some Yunnans I've had), and have had
> very little to like in the Keemuns. I like smooth, medium body, fairly
> strong black tea. I'll even admit to my enjoyment of Luzianne tea bags
> (brewed hot).
>
> I'm up for suggestions
>
> - Dominic

Best Yunnans where there's very little peppery taste - which I also
do not like - but, strangely enough, that does not stop me from
enjoying these Yunnans immensely. In fact Yunnan Gold is my
favorite tea after silver needles. Some Assams are very good, too.
In my experience, adding honey to tea is not that good because
it adds sour taste. Instead, I'd drink Phoenix Honey Oolong, which
tastes very prominently like honey but without sourness.

On Dec 6, 10:37 am, SN <SilverNeed...@> wrote:
> have you tried the black yunnans that are kind of creamy smooth
> tasting, not much astringency?

My favorite blacks are all Upton; I drink them plain. TC58 (Ceylon)
TN68 and TN96 (Nilgiri) and TA42 (Assam). Toci

The Yunnan Jin Cha I'm drinking right now sounds a lot like what
you're after. Very smooth, but full flavor. I think I got it from Tao
of Tea, but I don't see it on their web site now.

Alan

I like the dian hong from ysllc, i drink it with some sugar :)

On Dec 6, 3:52 pm, "Dominic T." <dominictibe...@> wrote:
> OK, I'm finally going to try to break my disinterest in black teas.
> Basically I've tried a number of Keemuns, Ceylons, etc. and very few
> ever do much for me. I'm up for suggestions

I would urge you to investigate hand made teas from village producers
in ex Soviet Georgia - this August's Natela Gold Standard is excellent
- a cup for contemplation; and for a slightly more assertive brew,
though never with milk, try the Kolkhuri Artisan made in a hobby
factory in West Georgia.

Nigel at Teacraft

On Dec 14, 3:58 am, Nigel <ni...@teacraft.com> wrote:
> On Dec 6, 3:52 pm, "Dominic T." <dominictibe...@> wrote:
>
> > OK, I'm finally going to try to break my disinterest in black teas.
> > Basically I've tried a number of Keemuns, Ceylons, etc. and very few
> > ever do much for me. I'm up for suggestions
>
> I would urge you to investigate hand made teas from village producers
> in ex Soviet Georgia - this August's Natela Gold Standard is excellent
> - a cup for contemplation; and for a slightly more assertive brew,
> though never with milk, try the Kolkhuri Artisan made in a hobby
> factory in West Georgia.
>
> Nigel at Teacraft

Wow, now that sounds interesting. Do you have any suggestions where I
could purchase these? They seem like something right up my alley.

- Dominic

On Dec 14, 3:58 am, Nigel <ni...@teacraft.com> wrote:
> On Dec 6, 3:52 pm, "Dominic T." <dominictibe...@> wrote:
>
> > OK, I'm finally going to try to break my disinterest in black teas.
> > Basically I've tried a number of Keemuns, Ceylons, etc. and very few
> > ever do much for me. I'm up for suggestions
>

I missed the original message, but may I suggest a good grade of
Yunnan Gold? I can't imagine drinking it with Milk (I never use
sweeteners on anything), and it's really one of the best teas I
know. I generally don't like black teas and I specifically don't
like spicy teas, yunnan gold is a spicy black tea and yet it's
probably my 2nd or 3rd place favorite.