Teas Etc

Not a fan of Jasmine Green Tea, but this was a very pleasant surprise. More floral then I expected, and very drinkable. I did notice the increased bitterness as it cooled, but it was never too bad.

This tea, take 12. Okay, it’s more like take 3 but whatever. This time, I’m following JacquelineM’s suggestion of lower temp water. She recommended 195° but my Zojirushi was set on 208 and I was lazy so I did 208° → cup → pause → teapot. That leaves me a bit iffy on temperature but whatever it was totally worked because now the astringency that previously camped out on my tongue and did it’s best to turn into bitterness is now just a crisp dryness throughout the sip.

It’s still froufrou but better blended – I can almost actually pick up some bergamot! There’s a better balance of flavors and it seems a bit stronger. Well, stronger isn’t quite the right word because it is a soft tea, but it doesn’t seem like a weak third steep anymore.

I still can’t fully get behind this because I feel like it is still a bit heavy handed on the floral tastes but this is worlds more enjoyable than my previous additive-less cup so I’m giving the rating a nice bump.

Yeah, I know this is a Steepsterite favorite, but I just don’t love it. Actually, I’m not sure how much I even really like it.

It is a pretty darn frou-frou cup of tea. I’m not against frou-frou or anything (hello, pink monkey) but it really seems like that is all this is. Predominately jasmine with a hint of rose, this isn’t very Earl Grey-y. In some ways it reminds me of Mariage Freres 1854 (another mild and jasmine-y EG) but in other ways… not so much. It doesn’t seem as full flavored as 1854; I think 1854 had a woodsier taste to it that gave it more depth, and depth is something I’m just not finding in this tea.

There is an astringency that has camped out on the tip of my tongue and refuses to leave. It is pretty much requiring that the next time I have this tea, there will be additives (which I have had it with before but was unable to give it my full attention). Though I am a little concerned about that though since this tea really doesn’t seem strong enough to hold up to creamer. I might end up with jasmine flavored hot milk.

As it cools, there are hints of Earl Grey, but it blends into the astringency at the end of the sip making this just taste a bit bitter. The EG does hint at a more solid tasting tea but it doesn’t save it from overall tasting like a weak third steep.

Eventually I suppose I’ll give this one another try to see if milk and possibly sugar saves this but I’m thinking that this one is just not a match for me.

Will rate this when I am able to give it a bit more attention but it reminds me a lot of MF’s 1854 – a soft, gentle, floral tea with very faint EG hints. The taste profile went: rose, jasmine, hint of bergamot, jasmine. Some astringency developed as it continued to cool but overall I did enjoy this tea. Nicely soft and sweet.

This was a free sample from Teas Etc.

Leaves are green and finely chopped. The Honeydew aroma is strong both before and after brewing. Brewed, it tasted like Honeydew melon. The tea provides the dark-gold color. If you want a honeydew drink, this might be it, but as a tea, as a coworker commented, a waste of good water.

Doubled the quantity of leaf. Same 4 minute steep. Improved the body, and the flavor.
Very smooth. A good buttery taste, with a slight something else. Maybe a grain flavor?

Dark green leaves, Golden colored with a buttery aroma. Delicious.

Followed vendors steeping, but 3 minutes always seems a bit long for a white tea. Leaves are like many other white teas, with their furry edges, but there are also pieces of dried green leaf included. Body is excellent. Initial aroma was surprising, very pleasant, more than vegetal, but I wouldn’t say buttery. However, as the tea cooled, the buttery taste did come through.

Tried a very short steep, with extra tea, and the result was much improved.

Full leaf, but smaller leaves. Solid favor, but individually they are very subtle. Floral. Slight bitterness when hot, but sweetnees comes through when it cools a bit.
Just as good, maybe better, on the second steep.

Used up the last of this tea. And it was as good as I remembered, especially as it cooled. A floral aroma and a sweet taste that lingered.

Shorter steep. Sweeter flavor. Raised rating.

Clear golden color. Inital strong taste of rice. Floral aroma. Sweetens as it cools.
Next time, shorten steep.

Thank you Jessica for sending me this tea.

There isn’t much more I can say about this that hasn’t already been said. It is amazing and delicious. The flavors work so well together. My favorite has to be the rose.

How have I never logged this tea when i’ve had it for about 2 months now??? Anyway, I love this tea. It’s a darker oolong, but has some notes of rock fruits like peach and plum, but has a sweetness on the end of the flavor. This tea also dries my mouth out a little bit, it’s strange really. Most of my mouth feels moisturized (?) by the tea except for the center of my tongue, where it feels dry. Very interesting experience.

Short steep. Tea still has good body, while very light in color. Very soothing.

Very pleasant. Two steeps, as good as each other. Raised the rating.

Second steep. A little more body, and flavor, and a slight astringency. Two minutes on first steep may be the sweet spot.

Very smooth, delicate and slightly sweet. Longer steep next time.

First steep

Subtle oolong smell. Surprisingly bitter for an oolong, but otherwise nothing out of the ordinary. Virtually no aftertaste.

Unobtrusive. Tasty. Definitely worth a second steep.

Second try. Fresh tea. 1 minute steep. Still too bitter. Just not my tea.

Steep time & temp as recommended, but it much too bitter. Next time, I try 2 minutes.
A slight fruity taste, but just too overpowered.

4g tea
12oz water
Dark amber color. Aromas of malt and sweet potato. Very sweet aroma. The taste was a bit less than than the aroma was leading on. Not as strong of the flavor malty sweet potatoe flavor that was lead on. Not bad though.