294 Tasting Notes

When I saw this listed as a new tea on the Teavivre website I was hoping to try some. I got my latest order from them and as if they knew, there it was. When steeped it gets dark quickly and I gave it a whiff every minute or so to check on it. My first sip I knew this would something special. I has all of the marks of a very fine tea. Flavor. Aroma. And an incredible energy. Definitely a tea that I will order. This is truly a must-have.

Jim Marks 13 years ago

Is this the Fujian version of a Yunnan golden?

Charles Thomas Draper 13 years ago

Jim I do not know for sure I would say yes.

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100

I am saying goodbye to this beloved tea today. I put the remainder of the bag in the Mason Jar for a final cold-brew. The color. That greenish yellow hue I will see no more. That flavor that lingered long after consumption will be but a memory. The aroma that came to me as a spring day. Is gone.

This tea was with me on many a journey. Most notably my fathers funeral. I thought what will I drink to maintain my composure? This was the answer. Just like springtime life goes on.

Bonnie 13 years ago

Oh how sad. Memory eternal for your Father. If I had any of this tea I would send you some.

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Another sample of black tea from Upton {I got 14}. This is an incredibly strong and robust brew perfectly suited as an eye-opener. I can see this getting incredibly dark and gnarly if you let it steep past 3 minutes. I can imagine this as the espresso of the tea world. I brewed 2 steeps before I decided that this would make a nice iced tea. So today after the Bohea I am enjoying the rest of this and it turned out nice even after 2 steeps it remained strong and assertive.

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This is my second tasting of this sample from Upton. The first tasting I found it to be very mild in taste yet it had this captivating aroma of pine and a whisper of smoke. I could not stop smellling the wonderful aroma. Today I upped the steep time and the amount of leaf and it improved the cup slightly for my morning cup. I do believe this is better suited for an evening tea. It is very subtle and mild. This is a very fine tea that in my opinion is better for an evening tea.

K S 13 years ago

Pine… I noticed that in the Zenjala Bohea I tried a couple days ago. I didn’t record it because I thought it was my imagination. Should learn to trust my instincts.

Charles Thomas Draper 13 years ago

Many times I have smelled pine in the empty cup

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93

This was my choice after the Mangalam failed me. 8 pearls 1 cup basket-style and I am in heaven. Dark and seductive. Truly one of my favorite teas. Maybe I brewed it too strong with 8 pearls but the result was a delicious tea deserving of all of the accolades it is receiving on Steepster.

Bonnie 13 years ago

This is delicious!

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My morning cup. The first steeping was deep, strong and dark. As far as energy goes, it failed. Or did I fail it? A 4 minute steep time with a bit over a teaspoon of leaf {the dried leaf smells awesome}. The second steep was somewhat weak and left me wanting something else. Maybe I will use more leaf and increase the steep time for the remainder of the sample. This is my second tasting of this tea since I received my samples from Upton. The first time it was better but unfortunetly it was a workday and my Steepster time is limited….

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This is my second tasting of Holy Basil. I am going to make this and Celestial Seasons Tension Tamer my late-night relaxation brews. This is rich and complex in flavor and definitely something for later in the evening. I brewed this one day in the afternoon and I could not figure out why I was so mellow, bordering on sleepy. Thanks to all of the Steepsterites who turned me on to this herb.

TeaBrat 13 years ago

Yeah! I love Holy Basil aka Tulsi. :)

Charles Thomas Draper 13 years ago

There is something very cool about this herb….

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After yesterdays first surf session since May I awoke tired and in need of something strong. This was the right tea. When I poured the boiling water upon the teaspoon or so of leaf I noticed that it gets strong quickly. I had to keep an eye on this one. After maybe 3 minutes I was awoken with its aroma and flavor. This is a good strong tea for beginning the day. It had that strong breakfast tea get up and go while retaining a clean briskness and it was not overpowering. I enjoyed this throughly.

I know several fellow Steepsterites said that blends were not their cup of tea. This may change their minds.

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This is my first East Frisian tea. It is strong but it still has the complex flavor of a finer tea. I noticed immediately that the energy was coursing through my body. My eyes were keen and aware. In my quest for a coffee replacement this one does just fine. I also purchased the BOP version and 13 other samples to try for my morning cup. While laying in my hospital bed a month ago I decided that I was going to give up coffee and devote myself fully to my beloved tea. Morning, noon and night….

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Kashyap 13 years ago

wow….so long coffee….

TeaBrat 13 years ago

welcome to my world! soon enough you won’t miss the coffee!

Charles Thomas Draper 13 years ago

I actually don’t miss it. I am enjoying these morning teas even more than coffee.

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This was my good morning cup. Dark and full flavored. I too can see how it can be oversteeped. I love the 5 minute steep. It was awakening. The empty cup aroma was sublime. Totally unique. The second cup was better than the first. I could be wrong but I am getting a coffee flavor. This tea is delicious and I am thoroughly enjoying it. This tea is one of many black teas I have been sampling lately for my coffee replacement. I must add that this was not purchased as a sample. I know from my fellow Steepsterites reviews and Verdants history that this was a must have. And I am glad to have it.

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Bonnie 13 years ago

I know. I bought an ounce and rushed to buy more. It was a drive to have it before the rest of the world got wind and bought the rest.

Joshua Smith 13 years ago

Yeah, this is definitely a very special black tea. Getting more is one of the things on my list for when I finish cleaning out my stash a bit more.

Scatterbrain 13 years ago

I miss this one.

Bonnie 13 years ago

Think it’s running low on the Verdant site.

Scatterbrain 13 years ago

I don’t need to have it since I’ve already had the pleasure of experiencing it, it would just be nice. What I’m really hoping is that I get some money in time to experience their new shengs.

Charles Thomas Draper 13 years ago

@ Kwinter, I received the Private Reserve 2006 Yunnan Research Institute Wild Arbor and the Yiwu Wild Abor 2004. @ Joshua I agree it is special. Very. @ Bonnie, yes it’s on low stock. I had to have some.

Michelle Butler Hallett 13 years ago

Ooooh, this sounds good.

Charles Thomas Draper 13 years ago

@Michelle, it is…

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I am an avid surfer, gardener, golfer and freespirit. I have been a tea drinker forever. Tea has provided me with contentment. I love White, Oolong, Green, Black and Pu’er. I do not care for flavored tea and nor will I comment on it.

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