Oliver Pluff & Co. Colonial Bohea - Loose Leaf Black Tea – Award Winning Historical Loose Leaf Tea (1 Pound)

I'm probably more upset that I got suckered into buying yet another smoked tea than I am with the quality of the actual product. The packaging is nice enough, quality tin and clever design. The tea was fresh, and made up of fine quality unbroken blend of teas.The problem was the description of Bohea as "a distinctive black tea blend with a light smoky flavor." As I am always on the lookout for a tea that has a natural hint of smokiness, as a very few fine Keemun's I've had do, I thought I'd give it a try.Alas, "Lightly Smoky" means "Smoked" and it's no different as matter of taste than Harney's Smoke Tea, or T2's Russian Caravan or practically every 'lightly smoked' lapsang souchong that exists. If you're a fan of these types of teas, I'd put it equal in smokiness to the Harney's and a fine re-stock.But I have to deduct points for a slightly misleading copy that seems to imply this is some new, different type of product from the early days of the Colonies, when it's really just another Lap blend. Russian Caravan at least admits it's got Lap in it so you know what you're getting into.On a quality and freshness scale stacked against the other's mentioned in this review, this is surely in the 5-star range, if this is your sort of thing. On a personal taste scale, this gets a 3-star dropping towards 2.5 both for the misleading packaging and that I already have too much smoke tea in my cupboard.Final: 4-stars. Barely.

I didn't know what to expect when I first opened this in my unventilated kitchen, only a few days after we had the Canadian wildfire smoke darkening our skies, but not a smokey smell that made me cough. It was like standing around a campfire.Following the first time I made it, I had a better idea, and I've quite enjoyed it every time.It holds up well in very large cups, never turning nasty and bitter at the end. It maintains its flavor consistently while I drink the whole beverage.

I had just finished reading Fred Olmsteads book about his travels through the southern US and he mentioned this tea, so I followed his instructions and added a half teaspoon of molasses!

This is a difficult review because it’s probably a very high quality tea, and perhaps even exotic, but the smoky flavor just wasn’t appealing to my taste buds at all. I enjoy strong black tea, and wanted to try something old and a throwback to the American Independence. The smoky flavor was more than I bargained for. I’m giving 3 stars because it was a good black tea and it definitely lives up to the description of being smoky. There is a light smoky smell in the cup. Although the smoke flavor isn’t so strong that it inhibits the flavor of the tea leaves, its very presence is such an off taste that it is impossible for me to enjoy.

Picked up a small tin of this from the Museum of the American Revolution a few years ago. The history intrigued me, as I like my coffee black, and my tea in the harbor. After buying this one pound bag, I actually drank some of this tea. The use of the tea purchased prior was to create a brine for pork chops. This is just as tasty for that use as it is for drinking, if you like your imagination pulling you into a continental army log hut in Valley Forge in 1777!But, on the other hand, I’m convinced that if the colonists thought to use this tea as a brine for pork, we would all still be speaking with a British accent!

I first encountered Bohea tea at a historical tavern setting many, many years ago. I didn't really care for it as it's "smoky flavour" was more akin to the odor of burnt rubber, at least as I sensed it. Much more recently, I came across this product and decided to give it a try. At first, it was a bit strong, but not unpleasant. Soon I became accustomed to it and now it's my go-to tea! What's more is that typical black tea can give me heart burn, and yet I don't encounter that with this Bohea tea. I cannot explain why, but it's an added bonus for me. It being loose, you'll have to invest in a tea strainer or infuser.

Presentation was good. Quality of the leaves was good. It was just too smokey for me. It was like drinking tea when the fire is blowing the smoke in my face at a bonfire.

My first order was for the small can of bohea. I love it so much I purchased the 1lbs bag. Hot or cold, it's delicious. I enjoy drinking it hot with a generous portion of local raw unfiltered honey, a gram of some thc sugar crystals and a light splash of milk. Pairs great with nature and a fresh made spliff.