Tea Review: Elmwood Inn Kentucky Blend

Thirsty Thursday #12

Elmwood Inn

Kentucky Blend

Hey, Mel! Let's make this Kentucky Blend tea.
You bet! This is one of the Tea Maestro's. I've been looking forward to this one. 

I love the label on this tin. Reminds me of a library.

Really good brewing or steeping tips on the side; that's always a plus.

Ooo, looks nice. Smells good; check it out!

[Takes deep breath] Wow!

Okay, we're warming the green pot and I have the tea measured in the infuser.

Xyra says the water is ready. Pour out the warming water and get ready. The instructions say steep 3 to 7 minutes; I'm setting the timer for 4.

[Time passes; timer beeps]
Done! Let's pour into the clear pot to see the color.

Sounds like a good idea!

Oh, look at how rich the color is...and the aroma...(sighs)
You're right. It smells fabulous! I wonder...

What?
I don't want to say. Let's try it and I'll tell you later.
Okay. First sip is always plain.

Wow! This is fabulous!

Ooo, yeah! Warm and earthy, but not too earthy.

Now I wonder...
What?
Well, if it needs anything added.
(laughs) That's exactly what I was thinking earlier.
As I think back to the Coffee and Tea Festival Philly, Mr. Richardson suggested it plain. For our readers we should really push on in regular review fashion.
True. So second sip with a touch of white sugar.

Hmmm, well, not bad if you like your tea sweet.

Yeah. The sugar seems to take over.

Okay, now sugar and milk.

Um, no.

Not horrible, but I've lost the earthy notes.

Our final take...this tea blend is wonderful!

Perfect on its own with nothing added.
Let's take some to the others!
Sure thing!

Xyra's Notes

• The Elmwood Inn site notes the Kentucky Blend is a combination of "fragrant and robust Chinese teas."
• You can resteep the leaves, but I found more than one resteeping drastically reduces what I consider the "comfort" level. The "ahhhh" accompanied by a relaxing of the shoulders and a small grin.
• I accidentally oversteeped this blend once. If possible, do not go over the suggested 7 minutes; it gets slightly bitter.
• My first sip was taken with a hint of trepidation as the only teas I've enjoyed plain are usually oolongs. Blacks seem to have an edge that needs softening. This Kentucky Blend does NOT. That sip was accompanied with a "wow" very similar to Melody's and an immediate text to another tea lover that she must try this blend!
• Side note: We did not steep in the glass pot and show off the dancing leaves because the lid to the pot fell and shattered. :-(

Best wishes!


#ElmwoodInnfineTeas
#CFTPhilly

Note: Tea Time with Melody Q is not affiliated with American Girl, the Coffee and Tea Festival Philly, Elmwood Inn, or the Tea Maestro (we did enjoy meeting Bruce Richardson and regularly read his blog and articles in Tea Time Magazine). The tea reviewed was purchased for our collection. The review is unsolicited and comprised of our honest opinions, thoughts, and words. All links are provided for educational and informative purposes. No purchased is required to enjoy the post. if you are so inclined to check it out, the links will point you in the right direction.