How to do a Tea Cupping: Taste 3 Delicious Black Teas!

January 19, 2021

Watch the video above to see our black tea tasting in action, or you can read a text version with even more info included, below.

Feel free to brew along with us at home!

About the 3 Black Teas

For this cupping, we chose a range of black teas which show the breadth of variety available. Each tea is made using a slightly different processing method, from a different type of tea plant, and in a different country than the others. Of course, there are many additional types of black tea that are not included here.

The teas are:

1. 1568 Red

1568 Red (Mao Feng Black) Tea Leaves and Liquid

Our signature Chinese black tea from Zhejiang Province, made from small Mao Feng tea leaves. This tea is a recreation of the first black tea style, which was invented in the 16th century.

2. #27 Red

#27 Red, Jin Xuan Hong Cha Tea Leaves and Liquid

A Taiwanese black tea, made from the oolong tea cultivar called #27 (Golden Lily, or Jin Xuan). You may be familiar with our A Li Shan Oolong, which is also made with the #27 cultivar. Unlike the other two black teas we are tasting, the leaves of #27 Red are tightly rolled into a ball shape.

3. 2nd Flush Darjeeling

Organic Second-Flush Darjeeling Tea Leaves and Liquid

Darjeeling teas are grown and produced in Darjeeling, India. They are usually considered black tea, although they could be categorized separately due to their unique processing method.

Black tea is generally fermented to 80-85%. Our 2nd Flush Darjeeling is fermented only about 40%, a similar level to dark oolong teas such as Phoenix Mountain. In contrast, 1st Flush Darjeeling is fermented only 10-15%, a level similar to a light, flowery oolong tea.

Brewing Method for Black Tea Tasting

A cupping is basically a side-by-side tasting which allows us to compare the flavor, aroma, and appearance of several teas. It’s similar to a scientific experiment. For that reason, it’s important to keep variables such as temperature and timing consistent.

Tea Quantity

Dry tea leaves in porcelain bowls: 1568 Red, #27 Red, 2nd Flush Darjeeling

1568 Red

2 g

#27 Red

3 g

2nd Flush Darjeeling

2 g

Notice that we recommend using more tea for #27 Red than for the other two teas. That is because it is more dense and tightly rolled, and takes longer to release flavor.

If you use 2 grams for all three teas, like we did as an example in the video above, you will need to brew the #27 Red twice and use the second brew for comparison with the others.

Water

Use 6 fluid oz (177 ml) of water for each tea. For black tea, we recommend 205° F (96° C), which is slightly below boiling.

Brew Timing

Before brewing, pour just enough hot water onto the #27 Red to cover the leaves. After 5 seconds, strain and discard the rinse water. This will help the tightly curled leaves to open with the first brew.

Next, brew all three teas for 5 minutes, then strain out the leaves.

Aroma

Black Tea Cupping: 1568 Red First Brew - tea leaves and liquid
1568 Red
Black Tea Cupping: #27 Red First Brew - tea leaves and liquid
#27 Red
Black Tea Cupping: 2nd Flush Darjeeling First Brew - tea leaves and liquid
2nd Flush Darjeeling

It’s best to enjoy the aroma of the wet tea leaves immediately after brewing, because there are volatile compounds that disappear within moments, changing the smell.

It can help to smell with your mouth slightly open, because the mouth also has scent receptors.

The senses of smell and taste are personal and individual – you may notice different scent and flavor notes than other people who drink the same tea. Here are our notes from our cupping:

2nd Flush Darjeeling Aroma

Sweet like honey, with a floral orchid note

#27 Red Aroma

Floral, rich, and savory like baked squash

1568 Red Aroma

A unique scent of wild roses, with underlying notes of savory herbs and fresh baked goods

Taste

Black Tea cupping: 1568 Red, #27 Red, 2nd Flush Darjeeling

When tasting tea, try slurping a little bit to aerate the liquid. That helps your taste buds to capture the flavor more fully, as well as cooling down the hot tea.

2nd Flush Darjeeling Taste

Smooth, slowly developing, and sweet. This tea is known for having a flavor similar to muscatel grapes. The young buds, covered with silver fur, give a flavor that is similar to Bai Hao Oolong or White Peony tea.

#27 Red Taste

Smooth, refreshing, sweet, and floral, with the same honey note that we noticed in the aroma. This tea also has a darker, deeper underlying flavor than the other two teas.

1568 Red Taste

The most floral of the three teas in flavor, with a hint of charcoal or wood fire. It is lighter and more delicate than the other two teas, but with a slight sharp note like a green bell pepper.

Black Tea Tasting Results

Thanks for joining us for this black tea cupping! Tasting tea is a great way to develop your palate and sense of smell. It’s also a wonderful way to become familiar with each style of tea, so you can recognize them and judge their quality in the future.

Which of these three teas is your favorite, and why? Feel free to tag us on Instagram, and let us know! You can also leave reviews for our teas here on our website, or shoot us an email with your feedback at [email protected].

Happy sipping!

Shop These Teas to Join In

Teaware for Cupping

Tags: #27 Red (Jin Xuan Hong Cha), 1568 Red (Mao Feng Black), black tea, Darjeeling, how-to, India, Oolong, oolong tea, Organic Second-Flush Darjeeling, Rose, Taiwan, tasting and cupping, tea regions, tea videos, Teaware, Zhejiang