This is a very good tea to know if you enjoy Orange Pekoes. It reminds this amatuer of S&V Ceylon Orange Pekoe, but it's not brassy or bold. The translucent amber color is striking.

I found this tea to be simple, dry, and woody, much like the teas grown in NC. Better than bagged teas, but my first foray into Columbian teas left me relatively unimpressed. If that flavor is something you enjoy however, this is definitely a step above the aforementioned American tea. Worth trying a 1 oz package to try it out, but otherwise I'd look at others.

This Organic Leafy Black Colombian Tea has become my favorite any-time cup to brew. The taste is mellow, slightly floral, and exceptionally well-rounded. It is very forgiving to over-steeping (a crime I am often guilty of), and finishes beautifully with just a splash of milk. I prefer this whole leaf variety to the Colombian Wiry 2 for the subtle flavors, and less of the in-your-face maltyness of the Wiry 2.

I'm pleased to see S&V selling Bitaco's teas because I remember someone on Steepster said they are difficult to find. So now there is another source to buy them. I tried this tea a couple times before and I just wasn't loving the flavor results, probably because I wasn't steeping it the ideal way or I just don't love lighter flavored teas. Steeping it this way, I think this tastes exactly like a Ruby black tea - it has a flavor like the almond nougat within a chocolate truffle or marzipan. It's interesting that the Ruby teas are from Taiwan and this is from Columbia, so it certainly isn't sourced from the same area. I don't think I was tasting that it was like a Ruby tea in past steeps, so using this many leaves must cause those flavors to appear. I'm very glad I didn't steep this many leaves any hotter or longer, because it was a touch overdone like this, though not enough to ruin it. I do like it with this many leaves, but that also might end up being pricey every time. The second steep was starchy and had more of a bread flavor. Looking forward to trying the other Bitaco teas! Steep #1 // 2 teaspoons for not quite full mug // 17 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep Steep #2 // 5 minutes after boiling // 3-4 minute steep

The main difference between this and the other Colombian black (unflavored) teas is that this one is whole leaf. It brews a smooth cup of tea, but I had trouble tasting how the whole leaves added to its flavour, except perhaps for a 'vegetal' note. Therefore, while I like this tea, I think I will stick with the 'tippy' and 'twisted' type Colombian teas Simpson & Vail sells.