Whispering Pines Tea Company

Sip down of the little I had of this. The cocoa nibs fell to the bottom of the bag and dominated the cup. It was quite lovely. I also really like it cooler. My earlier reviews pretty much some up what I think of this tea.

I know this is a weird turn of a rating considering I gave it a 95 before. For whatever reason, I haven’t been able to get the same taste as I did the first time. The cocoa, mushrooms, leaf piles, broth, and creaminess are all still there. But the maple sweetness is gone. This is due to how I’ve been making it, but even when I follow the directions, I’ve gotten a much blander tea. Maybe I’m not using enough leaves, or drowning it in too much water, or over-soaking by few seconds. Another reason could just be preferences because I’m leaning towards oolongs now more than any other tea. Then I must be very picky with aged teas.

I still recommend this tea for those looking for a creamy, good quality pu-erh blend, but it’s otherwise been mediocre for me. I also don’t recommend it for new drinkers, because it may taste like the dish water of plates covered by chocolate chip pancakes. Unfortunately, both the romantic description of maple, nuts, wood, cocoa and the unappealing broth of dish water are equally accurate.

This remains as a good quality tea. It just require really careful brewing which you’d expect out of any Whispering Pines Tea. I’ve also become more preferential. Not snobby, just preferential. You’d think that I’m more snobby or persnickety for not enjoying a tea out of being harder to please. But I’m really not that hard to please in terms of tea, and I actually think that there’s an element of refinement and snobbery in enjoying aged teas (though oolong drinkers can be REALLY hard to please because their preferred tea type is so particular and complex, while black tea drinkers can become classical snobs-and I’m totally both).

Rant end.

One of my hit list targets, and one of my favorites from Whispering Pines. I’ve never had a Pu-Erh that has relaxed me. The scent is like a twist of cocoa, leaves, walnuts, cream, and desert mushrooms if that is possible to describe. The taste resembles the scent, but with a stronger cocoa, moss, and hinted caramel note. When I brewed it lighter, the taste distinctly reminded of agave or maple syrup in later steeps Gong Fu. The times I’ve brewed it, both were 5-6 ounces, one time with 3 grams, the other 4 -closer to five. The more of the blend, the more chocolate. The less, the more pu-erh and the more maple and mushroom. And of course, I followed the instructions both times at a 10 sec rinse (which was really chocolaty!), 15, 15, 20, 30, 45, 1 min, 2 minutes.

I highly recommend this for Pu-Erh newbies. This lacks the fermentation odor that many do, and is incredibly smooth. Again, there twisted desert mushroom is there, but it is a smooth, fall forest sweetness.

Yes, first to review!
This was an interesting session. I’ve had a few offerings of this type of tea, and I had no idea that Sun Moon Lake was the actual name of it. I assumed this name was a brand or something. Anyways, I was very excited to give this a shot. The leaves are massive! These long black tendrils are highly aromatic. I opened the pouch, and I was greeted with an intense sweet brown sugar scent, warmed bread, and mild spices lingering in the background. This was going to be a treat! I placed a bunch in my warmed gaiwan, and I prepared for a heavy brewing session. The warmed leaves gave off a pronounced tone of sweet potatoes and ripe plums. I washed these black beauties once and got ready to do some steeping. The steeped leaves have the most unique scent. This aroma begins as a light red wine with smooth notes. Then, there is warm baked bread in the background. Furthermore, the unique scent is that of camphor. This peculiar cooling scent follows throughout the entire session. It is prominent in the aroma and fills my tea room. The drink begins with a slight peanut flavor and wooden tone. The camphor scent appears in the flavor, and it makes itself known. The unique tone fills the mouth and follows down the hatch with a brisk cooling sensation. I also noted a mild chocolate note that filled the tongue, and this taste ends with spices. This brew is intensely stimulating and carries a thick mouth-feel. The spices in the liquor narrow to cloves or allspice. The flavor lasts long after sipping, and in further steeping a burnt sugar aftertaste follow. This smooth and flavorful session lasted quite some time. This was a wonderful brew, and it was such a special experience. The other Sun Moon Lake’s that I’ve had are quite different. This tea certainty makes an impression.

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This is such a relaxing and contemplative cup of tea. I am so tempted to brew it so many ways, and have enough left to do just that. I’ll be reordering, although I’m not sure what I’ll be reordering along with, as I haven’t been a huge fan of the current incarnation of North Winds. But I imagine there will be some other really good blends coming up, so I need not worry.

This tea. Still lots of lilacs and fresh, pure air.

When brendon said this tea was vacuum sealed, he wasn’t kidding. I had to pry the package apart and my efforts only became more savage when the package wouldn’t open. With a combination of teeth and some grunting, I broke into it.

And. Honestly? I don’t even care how this tea tastes. The smell alone is worth buying it again and again. It’s literally like being in a wind-swept garden just overflowing with lilac bushes. I told brendon I wanted as floral a tea as possible, and his words were “my TGY tastes like a thick lilac soup” and I cannot tell you how spot on he was. I fell in love with tea all over again this afternoon, guys. And isn’t falling in love the best part?

It really does taste like a thick, creamy lilac garden, complete with a hint of fresh air if that’s even possible. Brendon, please say there’s more of this. I added a bit of rock sugar to amp up the florals and it was perfect.

I drank this tea while listening to a podcast that I’ve subscribed to for years now (dan savage’s lovecast). A girl had called in, and was crying. A few months ago, she’d told her parents that she was a lesbian, and they’ve since stopped talking to her except to share literature with her about how people have been cured of their homosexuality. Her desperation and heartbreak was so palpable, and I cried with her. Regardless of how well-intended people can be, it’s so devastating to think that some people would actually rather die than be who they are. I don’t think there is ever an excuse to isolate your children, even if you whole-heartedly believe they are sinning. I have been extremely lucky in my life: I’ve made life choices that I imagine my parents would rather I’d not made, but they loved me so much more than they disliked anything I did, and because of that, were always a soft place for me to land. I just wish that were the case for everyone.

Anyway, enough of that. everyone who loves drinking flowers should get this tea. And everyone who doesn’t love drinking flowers should start thinking about loving drinking flowers! I would rate this tea in the high 90s if the rating scale were accessible, but alas it still isn’t. But there you have it!

Nearly finished this now, and while it’s been fine, it’s not nearly strong or flavourful enough to warrant a reorder. I can definitely taste hints of all the suggested notes, but would be so much happier if they’d been amplified to about twice their strength, as I typically expect that from my unflavoured blacks. That said, it was certainly worth it, and I’m saving the last little bit for indigobloom for when I next see her, which will hopefully be sooner than later!

Also, I have a most unsightly cold sore and kind of hate being out in public (at work) with it right now. What a dumb problem.

Just here to confirm that I think this tea is quite delicious, and distinct enough from other blacks that it deserves recognition. Had it with my croissant this morning and it was a lovely pairing. I kind of like not having too too many teas in my cupboard at once—it really forces me to drink down what I do have, and to enjoy it while it’s still fresh. I have some more tea on the way through a friend who’s visiting her boyfriend in the states, and I think I’ll be done at least some of my stash by then.

That said, I am fantasizing so, so deeply about when next I’ll be able to enjoy WP’s TGY. This afternoon, maybe? and also all day Sunday?

Yaaah it’s Friday!

I had this with breakfast again this morning. This time, I made sure to get a nearly heaped table spoon and used just under boiling water for three minutes. The tea, as with many teas, only tasted better as it cooled, and I definitely got a nice balance between sweet and tart. The sugar and cream I added just took it all up a notch, and I think I’ve found the sweet spot. That said, I wish I didn’t need as much leaf for one cup. And while I generally enjoy the flavor profile, I don’t think I’ll be reordering this one, which is fine because there are still so many other wp teas I need to try (that, and I’ve started a recent love affair with WP’s Autumn Jade TGY, aaaahhhh). So my wallet can’t exactly heave a sigh of relief just yet. And I’ll certainly not have any trouble finishing off this pouch!

First let me say how amazing communicating with brendon regarding my order has been. Knowing I wanted a few different teas, he kept track of what I was looking for and messaged me when everything I wanted was in stock. And then helped me decide what to get to replace GO, which I unfortunately flat-out forgot to do. Anyway, I was really excited to try this tea, not only because of the rave reviews and romantic descriptions, but also because my cupboard is sorely lacking in black teas. Anyway, I think I did something wrong in the way I brewed it this morning, because I felt as though the tea was rather weak. I think I’ll use slightly less water next time (I used a davids tea heaped perfect teaspoon in about 10 oz of water). I am beginning to be able to identify the ways in which Chinese blacks differ from Indian blacks, which is kind of neat, and definitely picked up on the honey-raisin sweetness. I want to comment further, but honestly think I need to have another stab at it to get the full effect. So far I’m impressed and excited, though!
I am definitely getting a nice balance of tart and sweet and bready, which if I can coax more out of it would blow my mind.

Thanks to boychik for this sample! Without your generosity, I would not have known to pick this one up, and now I happily have an ounce all to myself. This tea is awesome. It steeps up with a pretty orange color. It’s roasty and incredibly juicy! The flavor notes are complex, with toasted coconut, peach, and citrus. It’s incredibly aromatic and has a lasting aftertaste. Yum!

I finally have a cake of this in my cupboard! Yes! I enjoyed the loose leaf and was waiting to get one of these and finally the timing was perfect. This Shou is so yummy! Absolutely no funk, but thick and inky, and so creamy! This is definitely a Shou that could be a “go-to” Shou for me. I had it the other night and I wasn’t even in the mood for Shou and it was awesome. Oh, and did I mention how adorable the wrapper and cloth bag are? Love it!

You could be forgiven for mistaking this for a flavored tea. The fruity, tropical notes are the first thing to hit your tongue. All of the flavor descriptors that Whispering Pines gives are present. There are pineapple, peach, and coconut tones complimented by a buttery body and subtle milkiness.

This tea has none of the floral or mineral taste that I’m used to with green oolongs. It’s all tropical fruit and cream. It took a few sips but my palette quickly acclimated to the unique taste of this tea. This is a very pleasant after dinner tea and fantastic iced.

I opened the bag and notes of milk chocolate hit my nose immediately. I brewed this gong fu and I get cacao, malt, dark chocolate. I also got a surprising sweetness to it that I have not gotten from any other black tea I have had. Pretty decent black.

Fluent in gibberish from quite a young age (my mother read Lewis Carroll, among many other great authors and poets, to us as children), I was greatly anticipating sipping this tea. The charming poem for which this tea is named is delightful, whimsical gibberish. This tea however, is no nonsense! I’m convinced this concoction could soothe even the snarliest of beasts. The aroma comforts with the scent fresh baked Tuscan bread drizzled in raw wildflower honey and melted, malty chocolate (or perhaps Prince William’s groom’s cake, made with McVities Rich tea biscuits and chocolate ). The flavor further subdues with plums, toffee and a rich warm mouth feel. The cooling, lingering aftertaste of eucalyptus may just lull one into a trance . . . . .

Not a morning person? Try this tea! It will certainly assuage the morning beast in you.

This morning was a busy one…I was under a lot of stress and had to run around for several hours.

When I got home, the only thing in my mind was…TEA!

If you’re like me, you try to match the right tea for the right moment. Sometimes it takes me forever to decide. Not today. I wanted comfort, and I knew exactly that good old Earl would take care of me.

I say “Good old Earl” but thats not accurate. This Earl is the next generation.

Yes people, TNG Earl!

What makes it so special? Well, first let’s talk about the base tea found in earl grey teas in general. There isn’t much to talk about, right? What I’ve noticed is no one seems to really care…cause…bergamot. What I mean is, if you’re like me, when you need a bergamot fix, you’re not looking for some fancy black tea…you only care for the bergamot cause you know it pretty much overwhelms any kind of base anyways. So why bother right? That’s the impression I get from what’s available on the market. We get some generic black tea and what makes or breaks it is the quality of the bergamot. What I want is an earl grey that will provide a good balance of the bergamot flavor. I don’t want that overly parfumy and soapy taste they sometimes have. Luckily, I found a few brands that made me very happy over the years and just stuck to them.

When I saw Earl Gold, I said…really Brenden? You’re gonna “waste” some snaily yums on bergamot?

And then I tasted it…and said…damn it Brenden, must you succeed at everything?

Apparently, the answer to that is yes!! He truly is a master blender.

I already love Golden Snail a great deal on its own. But I was so sure everything I love about it would vanish under the oppressive bergamot. Turns out they both complement each other perfectly!

Malt, caramel, chocolate and bread? Please meet citrus and candied orange peel.

A very bright, sweet and warming cup of tea with a big kick.

It is suggested to drink it gonfu so I did try. Surprisingly, the bergamot oil doesn’t rinse off on first steep, it actually stays present through the whole session.

But I must admit, my personal brewing preference for earl grey tea will remain mug style. I just want a huge big fat mug of it and hold it and slurp it slowly while I read a good book. That’s what this tea is to me…a hugger :-)

I’m so happy I’ve got four ounces in the cupboard. It will definitely be one of my favorite comfort teas of the winter!

P.S. When you get this tea at home (cause I know you will, you MUST) please don’t skip the “inhaling protocol”. Beleive me, your nostrils will thank you.

The last bit of my ounce and it ranks as a favorite now. Oddly enough, I preferred this one Western or even Grandpa Style. Favorite mouth feel out of most of the teas I had. I still wish I got more coconut and mango every once in a while though I did on occasion. If only it were a hint stronger.

Brenden’s description of it sold me yet again! Though, I think the “even a hint of plumeria” might have had deeper intentions…Anyway, the notes that Brenden used were precise and accurate, especially in the smell. It reminded me so much of Ko’Olina. The plumeria and cream scent accented by the fresh grass matched the scent on the lagoons air. I also drank coconut milk and ate pineapples by the gallons back then. The taste is the same brewed gong fu. It also was very similar to Mandala’s Milk Oolong, which is a powerful achievement. The creamy aspect is almost identical, though Mandala’s is much thicker. The color blooms into a vibrant, golden yellow glowing with green under hues. Absolutely gorgeous.

My main criticism is over the tea’s delicacy. As with any milk oolong, or most of Whispering Pines Tea for that matter, a lot of attention is required in the brewing. When I brewed steep two four seconds over what was supposed to be ten, the vegetal notes overwhelmed the others entirely. Again, gong gu is something to be mastered-“skilled art” for a reason. The tea would have been significantly better if I brewed it correctly-and it was when I did-but it demands so much care and attention to minutiae. Many people would like this tea because it’s so good, but someone with expertise and or a great attention to detail would be able to fully enjoy this, or be able to serve it.

This tea is so high maintenance, but it could potentially be one of my favorites from Whispering Pines. I need to try it again.

Chocolatey malty smoothness in a cup. I am only on my first steeping and I am very impressed by this tea. Thanks Beelicious for this in my Secret Pumpkin box!
The second and third steeps are good too, just a bit less intense, still smooth and malty.

I’m reviewing the Autumn 2014 harvest (according to the Whispering Pines web site), purchased in October 2015. I brewed it gong fu style using the timings recommended by WP (10/10/15/30/45/75/120/180 seconds)

Tasting notes on Steepster from a little over a year ago speak of cocoa and caramel notes. Other than a hint of cocoa in the aftertaste on steep 2 and a whiff in the aroma in steeps 5 and 6, no cocoa notes were found in this harvest and no caramel notes at all. Early in the session I was disappointed by this.

As the steeps went on, however, I gained an appreciation for this tea. It has good balance, with no one taste really standing out throughout the session. It’s a medium bodied tea with a moderate intensity of flavor.

There are other China black teas I adore because of a particular dominant note, but can’t drink them every day because I get tired of that note.

I will have to drink this tea a few more times before I can say for sure, but this feels like one I might not get tired of. It has a buttery mouthfeel and complex aromas of sweetness, malt, tart stonefruits, occasional spice, dried apricots, vinegar, and a few faint cocoa notes. And on the last steep (3 minutes) I smelled sauerkraut. Yep, that’s in there too.

The flavors were primarily tart stonefruits, honey sweetness, some sweet fruitiness, and Yunnan spice.

I’m not going to rate this until I’ve had it a few more times, but my initial reaction is quite positive.

Pix: http://instagram.com/p/9KrjCBli48

Hello!
Long time, no reviews.
I still drink tea daily and have been working through my cupboard trying to drink things up before making any major purchases.
Also, been in a writing slump. Nothing inspired me to write.
Till now.
I love Earl Grey Tea. Always have.
What Brendon of WPT probably does not know about me, is well, I like my Earl a little on the rough side. You know, a little 5 o’clock shadow and a bit of mud on his boots.
But this tea, my oh my.
This is the Earl dressed for the Ball. This is a Earl that you pull out your Grandma’s pearls for. He is dressed to the nines and he knows he looks darn fine.
I noticed how fine this gent would be when I opened the bag and dug my nose deep into the dry leaf. Wow. Lovely rounded, bright bergamot tickled my nose.
Pouring the water over the darling curled leaves sent a steam of scent that reminded me of chocolate covered oranges. Yum.
Taste is lovely. I still am getting that chocolate note, but the bergamot is not taking a back seat, which is good, since I am a lover of bergamot.
Its a beautiful color as well, a nice dark amber brew.
So, Well done Whispering Pines Tea. You just made my Earl even more desirable.
Now I just have to explain to my Hubby why I am flirting with my tea cup.

I let this set for quite awhile to decompress from its journey, and tonight it is ready to be drunk! I opened my jar, and I was greeted with a wonderful aroma. The dry leaf give off a sweet fermentation scent mixed with red clay. Also, there is a sweet undertone present. This is a very strong aroma. I placed a good amount in my warmed gaiwan and gave it a shake. The dampened leaves gave off the same intense sweet fermentation scent, and it mixed with a desert rain aroma. I washed the leaves once and prepared for brewing. The scent deepens into a wet wood and lake scent. The aroma reminded me of a walk through the forest after a storm. The brew gives an amazing mouth-feel. The liquor is thick and crimson red. The initial sip fills the palate with dry earth tones and sweet dark flavor. This brew is deep, hearty, and full of flavor. I can note a Merlot taste and feeling. There is a slight fermentation flavor present in the brew. Also, a drying sensation coats the back of the tongue throughout the session. This drink is filled with savory tones. The brew is one that you can drink all night (almost did) and keep re-packing the gaiwan. I was able to pull about 8 or so steeping sessions from my gaiwan. The drink continued a dark crimson. The best part of this is the qi. It’s not overwhelmingly powerful, but it makes its prescience known. It begins at the top of the head, and then it appears at heart center. It’s a slight warming sensation. Then, it grows into a resonating warmth that expands from the chest. This sensation follows throughout and long after the tea session. It continues to radiate from the chest and relaxes and soothes the body. I really enjoyed this brew. This is a well balanced and savory tea.

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