1759 Tasting Notes
This was… good? I have a question mark because, well, I’m still questioning what I think of it.
I enjoyed the bamboo, it makes a really nice, light, toasty sort of base. I think it lent some sweetness to the brew as well, as I seemed to taste two distinct notes that had a sweet nature to them.
The first, right on the inhale, tastes almost like a flowery honey. Then comes the strawberry, it’s very light, mixed with the bamboo in the background as well, but then all of a sudden, boom! the pepper kicks in. and then on the finish… a succulent strawberry note.
Now, I don’t like peppercorn. In fact, it’s one of two or three foods I name when people ask what flavours I dislike (bacon is the other, and ginger in my food, not so bad in my tea) I wonder if the “pink” makes a difference? hmmm
Iced, I think it would be fun, but I can almost picture how it would taste so I don’t really feel the need.
I’m a tad all over the place cuz this tea was sandwiched between my first day of work and watching the Lion King musical. I had to rush the tea to, they wouldn’t let me in the door with my cuppa :(
(tea discrimination. an outrage I tell ya)
So. I don’t think I’ll buy this one, but I am delighted to have tried it. I feel like I learned something about tea today, with the bamboo and all, and I love that!
Ugh, so apparently this is a Pu’erh blend as well?!? are ALL Yunnan’s like that? I thought it was a region, not a type of tea :(
Well it’s better than the one I had yesterday, possibly because I added milk, and when that wasn’t enough, some cream. and about triple the amount of agave I normally add, and I can still barely taste it- agave is potent stuff! apparently yunnan doesn’t take to sweeteners very nicely.
I had planned to share this with a friend, but it looks like I need to find another one to do that with because I don’t see anyone except pu’erh fans loving it…
That said, are there any steepsterites interested in a swap on this one? heck, forget the swap, I’ll just send it to you!
Now, about the flavours… it’s earthy, but not as much as other pu’erhs so perhaps that’s why it isn’t listed as such. The other notes remind me of a plain black tea, with a mild malty flavour. Call it an orange pekoe/pu’erh blend.
It smells earthy to, which I think is half of what turns me off. The other half emerges at that point where you’re about to swallow, that’s when I taste the earthy oddness. I wouldn’t say it’s unpleasant… more like my taste buds don’t know what to make of it.
Anyone ever tried a Bentonite cleanse? like that only a whole lot less intense.
Oh my goodness, I just realized that’s what it reminds me of!! ok now it’s not so bad. There is something comforting in recognizing it. Still, I’m offloading it to any takers…
I’d be happy to take it off your hands!
Sweet! you are in TO? I can meet up or send it to you…
Sending it might be best, I don’t know when we’ll be downtown next!
I like yunnans, but they tend to give me tummy rumbles so I just don’t drink them! When I smell that peppery scent I know there is going to be growling bear noises. Oddly, pu-erhs don’t do that to me, even though they are usually made from yunnan tea.
huh, now I know! I had no idea that yunnans were the base for pu’erhs. They taste very similar to me, which is strange cuz I thought the earthy taste was a product of the fermentation. hmmm
They make me feel ill as well, you aren’t alone there!
It is a region of China, it’s just a region that has a very distinctive flavour profile. :) But yes, from what I understand it’s also the birthplace of the pu-erh type.
To me, though, the Yunnan blacks and the pu-erhs aren’t that similar in flavour.
double huh :)
I think maybe because I dislike it so much, I notice more of a similarity… they both taste very earthy to me, only the pu’erh is thicker and stronger in flavour
Isn’t that odd? :D But it totally illustrates why flavours can’t be discussed, only clarified, agreed or disagreed on. :)
I have to shorten my steep time on yunnans. When I sniff the leaves, peppery=rolling tummy noises. Don’t know why but I assumed it was because they believe most yunnan tea is assamica varietal, and Indian teas do the same to me so I guessed it was something about that varietal. On the other hand, if I eat a fatty meal and feel miserable, a cup or two of pu-erh usually perks me up. I prefer the ones that smell like a horse barn to the fishy ones, but I suspect my ou-erhs from Southern Season may not be as strong as some others. It doesn’t taste like the smell (thank goodness) and has a nice sweetness. It seems to do away with that yucky bloaty feeling.
Eeek, I oversteeped the first infusion and ended up with a super scratchy and bitter brew! ick. The second one is a little too light but is that because I sucked out all the flavour the first time? or is that how it’s supposed to be… *sighs, darn you time, how dare you run away from me like that.
I tried the first brew with some milk just to see, and it was quite lovely. It was actually like a malty black. I wasn’t in the mood for milky tea so just threw the rest out, it was way to strong and I don’t want to know what the caffeine hit would do to me! ha.
The second one that I am sipping at now is light, watery, with a definite honey note but it’s not overly strong. More like a sensation of honey, but I can’t put my finger on it. There is a moment when I swallow where I could swear there is actual honey in here, and I am drinking this bare. Impressive, I must say.
Well, this is pleasant enough, but not enough to say I love it. I really like it… The scratchiness is still found in the second brew so that is definitely biasing me.
Even still. I’m glad for the experience. I’ve never tried a honey oolong before this.
Maybe I will take it the office, it could make a decent “working” tea :)
Preparation
I passed by the store today, but I only had a few minutes. The sales associate was really knowledgeable! I intended to stay for 2 min, but ended up there atleast ten… making me late *sighs
Anyhow, he let me try a sample of the Grade A dragonwell, and oh boy it was GOOD!! there are very few green teas that will make me swoon, but I will sing this tea’s praises any day.
I think it was the pan-fried part that was so tasty. Roasted teas usually appeal to me. Too bad it was so darn expensive, sheesh!
This nutty, roasty, mild, incredibly smooth brew(among the many others they have) could cause me serious financial woes. I hope there is no such thing as tea rehab, or else I could be in trouble.
oh and the best part, the normal scratchy sensation I get from so many green teas? well I felt the mildest suggestion of it after a few sips, but it was maybe 5% of the scratchiness I get in many jasmine/greens. One day I’ll retire and open up a tea shop somewhere in the city… or maybe just befriend a tea shop owner. Yes, that is the better idea I think!
EDIT: After thinking about it, I really shouldn’t even think about buying a tea like this without a proper gaiwan, but then I have no room in my place to keep one. Perhaps when I move I can have a corner dedicated to tea and a gaiwan (before I meet that tea shop owner, of course)
Actually they say green teas are better brewed using glass, so don’t worry about gaiwan (http://goo.gl/fImBx #2 under hints and I swear I read the same thing in some other places :))
As far as the pricing goes, the better the grade of tea is, the more resteepable it’s supposed to be, so you get your value back, but I think it’s definitely an indulgence tea rather than every day brew. I would ask the guy next time to point you to less expensive green teas that would satisfy your Dragonwell craving. There must be something for you with a great price/value combination.
Glass huh? I have a big pot, but it’s meant for flowering tea. I’ve been meaning to purchase a smaller one… Thanks for the tip Daniil :)
—When I finally manage to cut down on my current supply, I’m going back for a serious tasting session!
Well mainly the idea is to see leaves dance, if the glass is high enough it’s really gorgeous. Dragonwell does that especially, leaves constantly go from the bottom of the vessel to the top while standing up straight. It’s a good thing good Dragonwell is hard to oversteep, it’s easy to get carried away watching leaves boogie.
I can imagine that would be fun to watch.I sometimes watch them steep in my tea master, which is plastic… but I’m sure it would be much crisper in a glass.
I have so many teas at home that should only be enjoyed when one has time… but who has that anymore?! multiple steeps? I just grab n go! It’s a shame, I really enjoy those ones to.
I’d assume it’s about the same glass/plastic, except that glass keeps temperature better maybe.
Haha, I try to contain myself from buying a ton of tea, having a small cupboard helps battling my addiction :)
A touch of sugar, some milk… mmm this is comforting. and caffeine free! I have very few purpose-free (chamomile) and caffeine free teas that I can indulge in before bed, and I’m not often in the mood for this one, but when I am it really hits the spot!
It really tastes like creme brulee, with a touch of rooibos sourness to round it out. It’s creamy on it’s own so when i add 2% milk, it tastes like I added cream- which I never do because it’s so artery clogging (gotta get in the habit early! not that I’m young or anything, I wish)
I love how it SMELLS like creme brulee as well- Moreso when it’s hot. I could go on about this one all night, so I’ll stop now while I still can.
It helps that I’m in a fantastic mood, I found out today that I was hired for a new job. Not sure when I start, but I’m kinda excited :)
I think this is a pu-erh? when I got the sample I thought it’d be white… but no, it is too earthy for that. And terrible!!! ugh.
If anyone wants my sample they are welcome to it. I’ve officially decided, these teas are NOT for me, except the Cinnamon Heart, which hides the awful woodsy flavour. I blame CH for fooling me into believing I liked Pu’erhs!! I have had worse Pu’erhs of course. This one atleast does not have the texture of dirt, just the flavour. I’m getting a watery note in the background, it’s pretty strong, the saving grace that prevented me from spitting it out at first sip.
The lapacho tea I have tastes similar, but somehow I don’t mind it so much. It’s milder. Perhaps because its supposed to be a wonder tea, cornucopia of good for me stuff…
Preparation
I received this tea as a gift not long ago and decided to give it a spin today. It’s good, but for some reason it seems to taste better in the store.
There weren’t many osmanthus petals at the top of the bag, so I suspect they may have migrated to the bottom. I’ll have to investigate this…
As of now, it’s pretty much a standard oolong, edging on green(booo!!), with a hint of flowers. Almost like jasmine, which I find scratchy (it’s never done that served cold with tapioca and loads of simple sugar. Ok now I wish I had some tap!)
After adding a spot of sugar, I could taste the flowers a tiny bit more, but certainly not enough for me to identify it as osmanthus. I’m using the tea master so am on the third steep now, with the second and third going to mum and dad on this beautiful, sunny, Mother’s Day :)
—who knows, maybe the fourth steep will reveal something special.
If not, my friend who gifted me this tea was hoping I would share the package with her, so when I divide it up hopefully I can see about a better distribution of contents (it’s ok, we’re like sisters and there is wayyyyy to much in the bag for me to consume over a reasonable time-frame)
As for the rating, I’m torn between how good I know it CAN be, and how it’s presenting itself at the moment.
Well, here’s to second chances. Drink up :)
Preparation
Wow. This is fabulous. I am in love with this tea. It is SO tasty!
It’s creamy with a touch of peach like sweetness and behind that, a hint of tartness the way a peach would deliver. It has a very refreshing finish, which I did not find in the Tea Lux sample.
This is complex and stands alone without any sugar added… it has all the things I love in a tea!!
My only woe is that it irritates my throat a bit, but not nearly as much as some greens or whites do every now and then so I really don’t mind.
Thankyou QuiltGuppy, you are my tea hero!!
I wonder what the second steep will be like…
Preparation
I think this is the most wonderful tea I have tasted to date. It is incredible and like you, I owe the experience to QG. Keep steeping, I ran it out 6 times myself…
I’m on my second steep now. I agree, it is one of the most amazing teas I have EVER had. I can’t decide which one is best between this and the strawberry white from DT’s.
American Tea Room is not too far from me, I’ve been meaning to drive over to Beverly Hills and pick up a sample of this and your review has reminded me to! Can’t wait to see how it compares to the Milk Oolong from David’s Tea, that one’s set the standard for me so far.
oh, I tried the one from David’s but my friend who let me sip his likes his tea SUPER strong, and bitter, and cold… so it isn’t really a fair comparison. Let me know what you think, I may just pick up a sample of David’s if you think they compare :)
After all the new teas I’ve been trying lately I wanted something familiar and comforting that wouldn’t keep me awake all night. This was the trick, only now I want more. It’s so light and airy, a bit grassy and milky all at once. Yummmm… I think this one was made just for me <3
and yes, I am upping the rating!!
There isn’t much of the sample left. It seems that I’m slowly running out of my favourites, but I can’t buy more until I run out of the ones that are just ok *sighs
Anyhow, I have three new teas to try so hopefully one of those will replace it :)
