Featured & Popular Tasting Notes
I can’t really sleep tonight so might as well drink good tea, right?
I had this tea twice today. Such a lovely shou.
I like how sweet and smooth it is. I find myself craving it.
It’s not overly complicated and complex, but sometimes, that’s just what I’m seeking.
I have mentioned that this tea was like a hug on my last review and I stand by it. Definitely a hugger!
At this rate, the little cake won’t last very long.
Sorry Mandala for not being more eloquent tonight…
Pic from earlier:
I know I can’t expect blissful happiness everyday, but I can expect blissful tea every time I drink Wild Monk 2012.
I recently bought a beautiful yixing clay pot from Mandela and of course, I had to season it with Wild Monk today.
It’s late in the night, and I decided to drink just that. Cause why shouldn’t I?
This tea puts me in a meditation state every time. It invades all my senses, and gives me the inner peace I seek so desperately. The fragrance is made of dreams and wishes…
Smokey campfire scent that mixes with fresh morning dew, humid grass and moss.
Sugarcane sweet, earthy and musky notes, fresh menthol with just enough smoke to remind me how wood could taste like…nature’s “ingredients”.
This tea makes me see bright colours. Tonight, it’s a warm yellow.
Thank you Mandala, I cherish this tea.
Pics:
I like your note.
I like your rock.
I like you.
You are way too kind, dear sarsy <3
<3
Beautiful
Concisely described with poetic clarity! With exceptional tea inspiration “is included at no extra charge.”
Thanks stephanie!
LooseTman, Free inspiration is a blessing :-)
And so are you!
sheng is ripe i think.
or was it raw?
oh! its raw. i have a bunch of raw and ripe Pu-ehr coming in the mail
Kirkoneill1988 you should check out our puerh thread on the discussions page. Lots of good stuff about puerh.
can you send me a steepster message with the link?
Here ya go, kirk
http://steepster.com/discuss/5496-pu-erh-of-the-day-sheng-or-shou
Kirkoneill1988 just followed you. We can message and get each others updates if you do the same.
I need some Mandala love tonight!
This natural milk oolong is phenomenal…pure candy.
First, the dry smell is all pop corn and coconut milk. It doesn’t render that heavy dairy fragrance scented milk oolong often have, this is all natural goodness.
The first three steeps (gongfu style) are cotton candy and piña colada like, creamy and slightly fruity. The richness and sweetness really dominate.
Later, it morphs into a more floral green oolong, presenting lilac and orchid notes.
A fresh minty camphor taste is also present, slowly developing. It has lost some of its sweetness, which is a good thing, cause as you persevere into many short steeps, heavy and sweet would be just too much.
The taste lingers and lingers…
It’s making me really happy :-)
When I’m all done, I will put the spent leaves in a mason jar and cold steep in the fridge for 12 hours. Yep, this tea has a lot to give!
That sounds amazing!
This is SO going on my Mandala order when I’m on my next tea-purchasing binge. Wowzers.
Ost and Sami, you won’t regret having this one, it is now my favourite milk oolong, by far.
This is such a nice tea.
Mandala love is always coming your way, TF!
Aww, right back at you and your amazing teas Garret :-)
Oh, and I’m filling up a cart of goodness right now, will email you for shipping when I’m done…yummy!!
Ok I had to make a cup for myself, you inspired me. It’s one of my staples and always makes me happy.
Man really want this now!
Well cincin090, you should consider trying this one, it’s almost like having tea candy! (And Mandala is one of my favourite seller!!)
This is a sample from the wonderful Dexter3657.
Oh, this is a good one.
I keep Bailin Gungfu from Teavivre in stock at all time, I drink it often and it’s easy to compare the two for me without having to do a side by side. Teavivre is more chocolaty and this one more caramely.
It’s grainy and bready with very sweet notes. It’s almost a dulce leche kind of caramel, it lingers in the mouth. I made a strong infusion and there’s no astringency whatsoever, very smooth.
How do I know I really, really enjoyed a cup? In no time, it’s empty, so I run out of words for a proper description cause it’s all gone.
Thank you Dexter3657 for allowing me taste such a wonderful tea :-)
dulce de leche, just had Haagen-Dazs last night. Guilty…
I should try this one. I like Teavivre Bailin Gong Fu, but it’s not my favorite. The only black from my Norbu order that I’ve tried is Ye Sheng Hong Cha – I didn’t really like it… This one sounds more my style. LOL pretty sad when I’m reading your reviews to decide which of MY teas to try….
Boychik, don’t temps me…I’m not a dessert freak, but ice cream is a big weakness…Haagen Dazs rocks…chocolate cherry…mmmmmm!!!!!
Lol, Dexter, try to remember that before placing your next order (look at me giving you advices!)
They also make green tea, but i cannot find it in the supermarket . Pineapple coconut was very good. i only eat 2-3 tsp. just to taste
http://www.haagendazs.us/Products/?utm_campaign=Google|Branded|Exact&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_content=haagendazs+portfolio&utm_termhaagen+dazs+green+tea
Btw, have you tried Shang Bai Lin?
Balanced but exploded cupboard = NO MORE ORDERS ;))
Dexter, i say it to myself every day,when i open my eyes. Like mantra, no more orders
Boychik, stop trying to corrupt me with both ice cream and tea!!!!
:-) :-):-) (haven’t tried shang bai lin)
Oh Dexter, Dexter, if only things were that simple…
Boychik – I’ve been saying it for six months now, doesn’t seem to be working for me. I wish you all the best, and if you figure out a way to actually stop ordering, please let me know.
Fairy – LOL it really should be that simple. Just don’t order, but it just doesn’t seem to happen. Paypal is just WAY too easy….
Lol, think about your Paypal annual statement…SHOCKER!!!!!
I’m in denial about my annual Paypal statement…. it couldn’t possibly have been correct. What’s really scary is that I didn’t really start ordering online/Paypal until about April last year – I will have four more months on this year’s…… I’m not even going to look at it.
I think I’m in more trouble because I have puerh addiction. I see tuocha and bricks and cakes in my dreams. It’s serious, no joke. I need help.
You can do group orders. Cheaper and less tea to consume.
At least, if stored properly, those puerh cakes will get better with age!
You are right Steph, time to build a pumidor
My husband has a special fridge for beer, only seems fair ;)
The Ben & Jerry’s limited edition cotton candy ice cream is really good.
dexter – i have a few from norbu you can steal some of :)
Thanks Sil but I have an entire Norbu order here that I haven’t tried yet. :)) I have TOO MUCH TEA!!!!
I’m taking a short break since today is a long day and I will be working very late tonight in order to compensate for taking a shorter day tomorrow. I decided to gongfu brew some of the Banchang in a 50ml gaiwan. This time around I used a lot of leaf. I think, I prefer less leaf for this one. With less leaves, the apricot notes are very strong but here they are much lighter though still present. The spice notes are stronger now and more upfront. I’m getting a lot of clove, pepper, and cinnamon and some anise but also a nice creaminess and fuller body. Actually, I’m starting to love this despite missing the stronger apricot notes. Very delicious. The rhubarb is now making its way through a little bit. This is definitely my favorite Sheng! Shhh, don’t tell the Wild Purple Buds.
For the rest of work, I’m doing a Joy Division marathon. Unknown Pleasures followed by Closer, and finally Still. As the days are getting warmer, I’m just in more of an old school goth, industrial, and jazz mood. Just came out of a hip hop/rap mood which lasted through the harshest days of winter. Anyone else noticing their preferences shifting as it gets warmer? Here is Joy Division’s A Means to an End because it is awesome: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oMFMRv5c3o. If I make it through all 3 albums then Sun Ra or Peter Brotzmann will be playing, which I can only listen to at work or with headphones.
Also, have to share this. I just funded this Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/159974695/calamityware-dinner-plate-3. This artist takes the classic Blue Willow pattern and adds ‘calamities’. Super awesome. Can’t wait to serve my guests food on this plate and see if they notice.
Those plates are fantastic!!!
Nicole-So excited about those plates! :)
I’m not just loving this for the plates and the tea, but for the Joy Division marathon! There just isn’t enough Joy Division out there.
^So true! Glad to see another Joy Division & tea fan! :)
This tea is super exciting. I’ve been enjoying more mellow music this spring :)
So tempting, but $30 shipping to Canada. Wow!
Stephanie-So glad you are excited for this tea! Mellow music is great for spring. :)
OMGsrsly-For a second I got confused and thought you were talking about the tea. Hahaha. $30 shipping to Canada for a plate is pretty insane.
Haha! No no, your shipping is reasonable. :) For the plate it is a little over the top. If it was $10, I’d totally buy one!
The plates are beautiful and so much fun, loving the bats!
Aww, You made me put on my old Joy Division reccords this morning, listening to Transmission right now, sipping on Premium Taiwanese Assam. yummy!
I get music mood shifts as well with the seasons. This is what I’ve been into lately, can’t wait to listen by the pool!
I, too, turned on the Joy Division this morning. It’s still going. (I’ve got every Joy Division track on Google Play in my queue right now.)
OMGsrsly-When the shipping is more than the plate that just seems out of whack.
TheTeaFairy-Yay, for more listening to Joy Division & sipping on PTA!!!!! :) I’m really digging your link to Hollie Cook. Very chill, lazy summer day feel. Perfect pool music! Love your music taste! :)
Cheri-Awesome! For me Joy Division is one of those bands that I end up listening to nonstop until I get sick of. :)
Glad you liked her Stacy, she’s the daughter of Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook, I think she’s amazing, the whole album has that breezy vibe…
Interesting! I’m going to have to check out the rest of that album. :)
OMGsrsly, the artists FAQ explains how to get around the international shipping to Canada:
Yikes! What if I live in Canada?
I once lived and worked in Toronto. So I want to help out my friends north of the border. If you live in Canada, shipping will be included in your pledge.
But you need to pledge in a special way. Here’s what I want you to do. When you make your pledge, pretend that you live in Pittsburgh. (It’s nicer than you think.) Don’t ask for international shipping. Don’t pledge the extra $30USD to ship overseas.
Later, when I ask you for your current mailing address, you’ll tell me that you live in Saskatoon, or whatever. We’ll need to trick the system once more by pretending that Saskatewan (or whatever province) is in the USA. I’ll change the mailing labels from US to Canada and you will have saved $30. That seems to work.
Ha! I didn’t even go there. I see the “additional shipping” and click the X. :) Thanks, beelicious!
Darjeelings are not always my favorite. I’m extraordinarily picky about them. For the last two years, my absolute favorite has been from Giddapahar. While, this estate seems to be a tad greener with their processing, the flavor is just outstanding. The tea is very complex and has wonderful sweet almond notes with peach and blackberry notes. There is just so much going on and quite a variety of flavors, including wood, lemon, hay, earth, and jasmine notes. When I heard that Giddapahar was making a special limited handrolled 2nd flush, I knew I had to jump at the opportunity, especially because they only made 11 kilos worth of this tea. It’s absolutely gorgeous. I was so excited when it arrived, I tore open the package. Wow, the scent was so amazing! The taste profile is very similar to the first flush, except that there is a muscatel flavor and the green-ness is much more toned down. It’s also a much fuller body and the astringency is gone. I’m really enjoying this tea quite a bit. It has a wonderful juicy flavor. Almond, peach, jasmine, and hay notes are the most prominent. There is something else present but I can’t put my finger on it right now. Will definitely have to experiment more on this one. Since this is so limited, when it’s gone it’s gone.
In other news, I’m working on 2 new teas today, a caramel apple Gui Fei and a mimosa puerh (this may or may not be a chai). Normally, I come up with flavors then find a tea for them and modify them from there but these guys I’m working with teas that I really want to flavor and trying to develop flavors for them specifically. I have done this with our Champagne & Rose Cream but it’s not typically how I work.
Oh yum. You sure make this one sound tempting! I am super intrigued by your caramel apple and mimosa ideas, too :)
Caramel apple anything would be fantastic. ;)
You make this second flush sound good. A little greener is more to my liking.
And since Champagne & Rose is one of my favorites that you do, I’d really like to see what you come up with on these other two. :)
Stephanie-This new Giddapahar is soooo delicious! I’m trying to figure out how much to save for myself.
I hope they come out good. I love working with the flavors in the tea and trying to bring them out a little more. crosses fingers
Cameron B-Indeed!
Cheri-It’s so yummy! I just flew through my first cup.
I’m excited to be working with these two teas. The Gui Fei is so unique and it was just calling to be paired with apple. The loose puerh was really begging for some citrus. So glad you like the Champagne & Rose Cream! That is probably the flavored tea I drink the most right now.
It seems as though Specialty Darjeelings are on the rise. Ambootia and Moondakotee are making fairly expensive Haute Couture Darjeelings for Mariage Freres. I’ve been meaning to try your teas and maybe I’ll get around to it in the near future.
Excelsior-they really are, especially in the last two years. It seems they are feeling the pressure to make teas that can compete with other countries luxury teas.
Caramel apple and mimosa chai both sound awesome. I’m going to have to revisit the gui fei oolong now so I can decide whether to get the caramel apple…
The caramel apple Gui Fei came out amazing! Needs some tweaking but I love it!
How much of this tea did you decide to sell? Do I need to place an order immediately, or can I wait until next week, do you think?
Cheri-You should have no problem waiting. Since it is a more expensive tea and a Darjeeling (Darjeelings don’t sell fast for us), it should be available for a few months.
Thanks! I’m trying to force myself to reorganize my tea pantry before I order more teas. It’s a mess and I don’t even know what all is in there anymore.
I went to the hospital this morning, and I saw great beauty.
There was an older man sitting next to me in the waiting room. He told me he had a brain tumour and only 6 months to live.
I asked what were his plans for the next 6 months. With tears in his eyes, he pointed at the little boy next to him, his grandson. His daughter was also there. He told me he was going to spend as much time as possible with them.
Then the little boy, (three years old) got up, gently took his grandpa’s face between his two miniature hands and stared. He said with a big smile on his face: «Don’t be sad Pappy, all the pain is gone…»
I cried. His daughter cried. Then we all looked at the little boy, and laughed. It was one of those moments where you can’t help reflect on your own life. It was special. That little boy will be forever in my heart and so will be the old man.
When I got home, I was exhausted, but grateful. Grateful to have time in front of me to love and cherish those who are important to me.
I chose to dink this tea for its beauty and purity.
It’s clean, and it gives me some peace and quiet inside. It’s very sweet, brothy and slightly vegetal. It’s milky in a rice milk kind of way. It’s soothing. It’s what I need.
I don’t have much else to say, just thought I’d share this beautiful story with you all :-)
That’s lovely. So lovely.
Yes, We sometimes meet the most wonderful people at the most unexpected places…
Thank you for sharing that – so very touching and beautiful!
Beautiful. A good reminder to be in the moment so that you don’t miss experiences like this.
Wow, powerful stuff
This is the day when Steepster made me cry. Thank you for the story, TeaFairy!
Very poignant and a great reminder of what’s truly important in life.
Thank you guys, I’m glad I’m not the only one who was touched by this little boy today…
Inranger, that’s what it was all about :-)
It’s the little things that mean so much. And words from a child the purest and most honest sayings.
Thank you for sharing this lovely story! A great reminder to enjoy every moment in your life, especially with loved ones
I’m sitting here sobbing. This so beautiful and so heart-wrenching. I lost my very beloved Daddy to brain tumors much, much too soon. I want to hug that little boy and that man so hard. It’s Father’s Day next weekend and that is always a bittersweet time for me and he’s been gone for years now. Thank you for sharing this.
MzPriss, so sorry this post brought back sad memories…I’m very sorry for your dad.
It’s OK really. I still miss him a way lot. My Daddy was hilarious and and loving and I was the light of his life. I got a lot
From my Daddy and I have great memories.
:-)
moving story. Be happy even in the darkest days, and always find something that can bring you peace or cherry you up.
I’m feeling so restless today. I want to do something, but I don’t know what I want to do, so I do nothing, then get annoyed with myself and even more restless. Rinse. Repeat.
I was going to try the Elderwood this evening, but I grabbed this instead because I thought it might have a calming effect.
Method: 1.5 tsp, 8 oz, 180 degrees, 1.5 min, muggy strainer
Dry Leaf Aroma: wow, gorgeous. Pine/evergreen and a very strong floral, like jasmine
Brewing Aroma: heavier on the floral
Flavor: the floral is first, with some gentle piney notes. Then there’s this fascinating and totally unexpected nutty note. It’s strong, too. It’s also got a creamy feel and a buttery taste. It’s also a little sweet and has a nice lingering aftertaste.
Is it bad that I have a reminder on my calendar to get this in August before the batch is gone?
Edit: Ehrmagerd!!!! 2nd steep. 3.5 min. Sipping this. Yum. Ok yum. What’s that? Holy crap! It’s pine nuts! This tea tastes like little pignolis on the end of the sip. SB- I love you!!!
Preparation
I have a Friday miracle Sars! A wee teaspoonful magikally appeared in my little sample bag. I’m having some TOO!!!!
Dear Universe, Thank you v. much for making a weeny bit of SB appear in my house. I really, really, REALLY needed it and I can’t get any for a couple of weeks til it comes back. grateful…Love, MzHBP
LOL aaaaaw HoneyBelle!!!! I’m so glad you found some! Now we can drink it together!!!!
I’m really looking forward to August!!!!
Me too!!!!~ I’m sipping this very, very slowly. I’m gonna try an additional couple of steeps – cause the Tea Hobbit says you can, although I don’t usually re-steep. This is just so dreamy.
I just did a 2nd steep, too. I let it go to 3.5 min and used a little less water. Want. More. NOW.
You and I will chill out together Sars. Just smell this tea. Calming. I need chilling out majorly and it sounds like you do too.
Yeah, it wasn’t even a bad day. I’m just feeling all jumpy but I want to be calm. Was your day stressful? I hope the tea is helping
I have to edit my review because I figured out what the nutty flavor is! So exciting! Pine nuts!!!!!
Most of my work days are stressful. It’s just been a mofo of a week. And the tea is totally helping! I love this tea too much
I need to eat some dinner and I’m thinking of having something really odd for dinner. Kimchi Tacos.
Oh wow. That sounds interesting. I like kimcheeeeeee!!!!
I love it. I’m making some with Terri’s recipe. But this one I bought. I was gonna have bean and cheese tacos on corn tortillas and came home and realized I had no beans. Then I noticed the kimchi in the fridge and I’m like “hmmmmm” We shall see. I’m gonna make a couple and re-steep this tea and be back to have SB with you and LTF
hmmmm….now that sounds interesting…
No fair, I want to join in on the fun! :P
OK report….(first of all Cameron – come have some SB or something with us) So I warmed a couple of these really delicious corn tortilla this lady makes here in town that they sell at my co-op. and then just barely warmed some kimchee – enough ti take the chill off and keep it from coolng down the tortilla but not enough to kill the good bugs. Annnnnd – it’s not bad y’all! Pretty good actually.
But in Austin we tun everything into a taco :D
and oh Sars – I DO like the second steep of SB. I like the first better – but this is still really really good!
If I had more, I’d send ya some, Cam. But I only had a little sample. I’m impressed tho. I highly recommend this one.
I’m on the 3rd, MzP. Still good!!! Glad the experimental tacos are yum!!!!!
I’m gonna go for a third when this cup is done. I like the tacos and I didn’t want anything heavy. I had some lentil curry in the fridge too (which will also LOL become tacos!) and this was just the perfect thing
The curry would have been too much. This is nice and light and has two of my fave things: corn tortillas and kimchi
I clearly need to follow in your footsteps and become more creative with my taco fillings!!!!
Dude – you can turn ANYTHING into a taco. We have tacos for breakfast here. A potato, egg and cheese taco with screamingly hot salsa and a Dark Beauty cocktail are the best. hangover cures. ever.
I’m already planning some faux chicken with bean and rice tacos for this weekend!
I literally put anything in tacos. Salad. Sometimes peanut butter and creamed honey
I dub thee Lady HoneyBelle, Queen of the Taco Fillings, Ruler of the Corn Tortillas.
Laughs! Tacos make life easy and tasty.
I agree, LHBQotTFRotCT. :p
This tea made me so so so so so so so so so SO happy. Of happiness.
Only one rinse was needed and the color is deeper than ruby, like a garnet. And AllanK was right – zero fermentation flavor, no dirty flavors. This tastes like chocolate mushrooms. That may not sound appetizing, but I assure you, it’s the fucking BOMB, yo.
This is my new fave shou. Thanks for the sample, Allan!!!!
I did one session with three steeps, then another, then another. A total of 9 steeps, which got smoother as they went along.
From the start, I felt buzzy. At one point during the 2nd session, I realized that I dazed out. When I came to, I felt kind of dizzy and happy. Tea drunk, indeed!
I also kept staring into the cup, kind of mesmerized by the color.
To sum up: WOW. So yumz. Much happy. Wow. So garnet. Tea drunkies.
Preparation
Little sarsy is now shouing!!! Weehee!!
And yo. Chocolate mushies!!
I am going to start calling you Shousique…
LOL. Y’all are so funny! :)
I told you it was good. I don’t get tea drunk from it though.
Nice!
I had to buy some because the thought of life without it was sad. This is definitely a good one!
OOooooo this sounds magical! yay for getting tea drunk from shu!!
It’s hard to go wrong with the Menghai tea factory.
It sounds like an experience in a cup! :)
I’m so excited to be getting more of this. I think it can definitely turn a frown upside down! LOL
Did you get it from Berylleb? If so message me and I can tell you a bit on how to save some $ from them.
Love the review!!
Thanks, mrmo! I did!
Thanks ZTJASFB! LOL Maybe I will call you Zen. I love the whole name, but its not easy to type on an iphone :)
This tea is not out yet, i just found out tonight. I’ve had a sample for a little while now but was sitting on it for god knows what reason. Well whatever the reason was, it was a good one cause i don’t think I could have had a better session than tonight with it. It was the perfect timing.
Granted I love pretty much all types of oolong, I drink it everyday. I seek quality though. Don’t want to drink anything generic.
So I was pretty excited to try this one cause Big Red Robe is a highly praised oolong. And I like BRR a lot usually.
Just the smell of the dry leaf is divine: baked goods, roasted chestnut and almond, sweet and velvety. However, the first thing I get in steep one is a strong floral mouthfeel. The tea is just waking up.
Then, it’s a party in the mouth. Honey, almond, and the unthinkable…toasted coconut. That nice almost milky sweetness you get from coconut flakes toasted in the oven. This is all very subjective of course, it doesn’t make this tea anywhere near a flavoured coconut oolong. It’s just reminiscent of it.
It’s complex but so easy to drink. Nice rock minerals develop, and it remains very sweet.
It gets very juicy and refreshing, like a bright citrusy and oaky white wine.
Thank you Brenden for this generous sample. This is fancy oolong. I’m happy I got to try it, and I love that I had plenty to make a very satisfying gongfu session!
Pic’s session:
Lucky girl! I love your tasting notes, I totally want this tea now.
This tea definitely sounds like a party tea. :)
mmmm
Blodeuyn, I want ALL WP teas!!! (Lol, maybe I DO have all his teas…)
T’was delish you lovely gals!!
I need to try this ! DHP is amazing!
Yeah, I love DHP too, I don’t know why I don’t drink it more often
this is good
I really love this tea blend! When I ordered this, I knew I would probably enjoy it; I was absolutely right, and have been drinking it a lot!
This has everything I love in a tea. Not fussy, good anytime of day, resteeps wonderfully for another cup, and most important – so delicious!
Beautiful dry leaf that brews a fulfilling, smooth and and perfectly balanced cup of tea, with notes of honeyed malt, cocoa, pastries and a hint of fruitiness.
This is my perfect anytime tea, and I actually wish I bought more than just one tin!
Preparation
yeah… i agree.
Now I’m sold…I think this is the next tea on my list to order! :)
it’s not available anymore mike
Wow, that’s too bad! Thanks for letting me know! I’ll have to go for their Tiger Assam instead…that sounds good as well.
guhhh i should have bought some. so bloody expensive for one tin :/
tiger assam and red tailed hawk are both excellent imo.
have and love both!
are they comparable to this one?
Niiiiice. Ooh, I just took a look at the Red Tailed Hawk, looks great…Assam/Darjeeling combination?
By the way, you have the best Steepster name ever, whatshesaid…love it! :P
thanks :)
Haha, no problem.
so tiger assam i’m very partial to so i just take that out of the running lol but this one is better than red tailed…and i do love red tailed as well
Tiger Assam moves to the top of the list then. :P
Sil, I ordered a tin of this with one of the tiger assam after seeing the shipping deal you got for us in Canada last month. I had been waiting for a deal so I could order more of the tiger and thought I may as well try this one too. Glad I did, though yeah, getting a second tin would have been better!
Mike, the tiger Assam is great too! I have only tried these two but love them both. I’m sure you will like the assam one :)
whatshesaid, it is darn expensive, but the tea is good…and the tins are so cute too! When I ordered I told myself at least I was saving a few dollars on shipping :)
Cool, I’ll splurge for the Tiger Assam after I clear my cupboard a little bit. :)
yeah, i regret not ordering this one. ah well!
So now I know what it is like to have buyers remorse for those who buy YQH and do all they can to make it taste better than it is because of the price tag…
Tea Urchin is my go to place for high end stuff that makes e feel good, but this one did not do that. I should have read more about it online to know it wasn’t within my own preferences of a tea, but when there’s a group buy and you get deals… TRY EVERYTHING!
This particular sheng is in the medium to dark range for a sheng. Typically I like my raw tea to have essence of flower or fruit making it seem like it was a cake worth breeding with things that the bees like, not that the flies like; which leads me to this dark, damp wet hay. Some people really enjoy that taste, I do not.
I am in luck though, I can put 25g of this in the pu’erh TTB that is coming around :)
However, I need to find someone to swap the rest with because I won’t drink this… I’m becoming pickier with my sheng; but not my beengholes :P
p.s. for reference, I did steep this 14 times because it last and I love me some TU so it was hard hard hard to go ‘this is the first one I don’t want to hold onto’
If someone has “buyer’s remorse” with YQH they can send it right to me – I will give it a loving home right up until it goes down my neck and I will savor every drop.
I know of at least four people, but that only surfaced after I made a remark; seemed like they didn’t want to because nobody is making those comments.
Well bless their hearts. Teji is my favorite thing right now.
I’m sorry but “do all they can to make it taste better than it is because of the price tag” is pretty insulting. Why would I even want make stuff up? I’ve spent countless hours talking to people, reviewing and discussing these teas not to spread misinformation but to educate myself and other on what they are all about. On top of that I sampled up nearly half a cake out of pocket the last few months to people that asked about trying certain cakes.
Also to label the whole brand as overpriced, hyped or whatever is shortsighted. You have 3 reviews posted here on steepster, maybe you tried more Idk but there were 39 different teas being offered by Mr Yang and Emmett. Imagine trying 3 teas from any vendor, not loving them and then saying well they all must suck cause these did, seems a bit silly no?
You and others didn’t like them? That’s cool, there are plenty of teas I don’t like that lots of people love. I respect their opinion and they respect mine, like Cwyn said in her blog post, no one can tell you what tastes best to your taste buds.
I don’t want to make it sound like you attacked me personally cause you didn’t. Just like you said you speak for people with buyers remorse, I believe I speak for the people that are very happy with how they spent their money.
Me three. Love YQH , haven’t tried all of them but whatever I’ve tried was top notch.
@Grill it actually isn’t insulting because if you read it in context it is in regards to those who experience buyers remorse. In regards to the amount I’ve tried; that’s the way things are realistically as I give a band 3 songs or a tv show 3 episodes before I decide to give more time to it (which is what money is)
There is just no way I’ll find an old leather taste to be appealing, but I’m always up to keep trying which is what I have been doing. I am the same with White2Tea: I’ve tried over 12 of their raw teas and I’ve only liked one…
Thought about the English language and realized that you could say that my comment could have offended you… but it wouldn’t be me who did it but rather those I have spoke to who explained that they too like me couldn’t find a way to enjoy the YQH samples that they had tried. Considering it all comes down to opinions it’s pointless to argue; we know Bernie is a better canidate then Trump, Honda makes better cars than Ford, wheat bread is better than white, Star Trek is better than Star Wars, oh and oolong is the best type of tea. I suppose I don’t realize that people don’t know me so reading my comments are tough. I’m just some dude drinking tea and spilling thoughts from the top of my head. No expectations at all. However, maybe I should review what I say and how I say it. Either way, I come to Steepster without much rereading or monitoring so that could be what I look into changing next for myself.
Um no. Star Wars > Star Trek.
Data was hands down the best character on tv of all time. The entire human idenity is his character. Now that’s just one element of Star Trek. I suppose I’ll clarify: Star Trek TNG > Star Wars 4, 5, 6, and that recent remake where there is a larger Death Star in it but this time it blows up planets before it’s destroyed. TNG is hands down 110% more intellectually stimulating than Star Wars.Anyone who starts and finishes TNG will have gained an experience that just… It makes life better.
Nope. Best TV character of all time is Bobby Hill.
TNG or TOS or DS9 or VOY > Star Wars
Voyager was not better than pretty much anything, except possibly Enterprise. DS9 was meh. TNG was MIGHTY but still not better than Star Wars, but close. Because Worf.
I have nothing against Star Wars. A good action movie, but Star Trek always intrigued me. I haven’t seen enterprise and am on season 4 of Voyager right now. TNG was my favorite. DS9 was close. What it lacked in “exploration” it made up for delving deeply into spiritual matters on many levels, and different types of ethical questions as other series. VOY and TOS are tied for me so far. To keep things on topic, I like watching Star Trek while drinking tea ;)
The Doctor needs to be everywhere.
Data is just the best. God now I got to go watch The Most Toys again and wonder…
I’m a fan of Star Trek and Star Wars (and Doctor Who), but Stargate: SG-1 will probably always be #1 for me.
I’m with you on the YQH MzPriss. I dunno how people have “buyers remorse” with samples but am pretty sure anyone with cakes could find a new home for them fairly easy. Especially when there are price changes coming and declining inventory. Thanks for your comments and reviews Grill. I learned a lot from you and James and appreciate the time and effort you put into it. While I like some of the YQH line better than others my only regret is that I couldn’t get more… As they say, there is no accounting for taste. peace
@DharmaTea – Teji WAS my fave. Now I’ve had Dingji. I echo your thanks to Grill and James. I would have been so very, very sad if I had never had any of this tea.
The more I sample David’s Tea products, the weirder their overall profile seems to me; they’re very much like Teavana in that way. It’s basically a concept/execution issue, as the ideas are often excellent, but the end results can range from unfathomably poor, I mean really, truly what were you thinking poor, to quite tasty. But for me, it never really gets beyond that ‘quite tasty, but…’ with either Teavana or DT.
This tea, albeit double-bagged, had taken over most of the swap box when it reached me – not in a permanent way, it just needed some airing out, but the fact remains: this is a very strongly scented tea. It’s also a hot mess in every possible way. Every sip offers a new flavour combination, every whiff makes you flinch in confusion and sensory overload. This tea makes no sense.
However, I really like when things make sense, so the scenario I would like to propose is the following:
It’s a quiet day at the tea factory, all quotas are met, Dario the Junior Tea Blender is just messing about, playing little drum solos on the ingredient tins.
BUT ALAS!
OH NO!
FLORP!
The unfathomable has happened. The shelf containing the jars for hibiscus, apple, raisins, rooibos, candied pineapple, candied papaya, orange peel, coconut chips, rosehips, elderberry, mallow blossoms, peach, almonds and cinnamon COLLAPSED from Dario’s musical pounding. David the Senior Tea Blender is NOT going to like this.
Dario must make haste to sort this out before David returns! He secures the shelf, returns the tins, and is in the process of scooping the fragrant mess on the workbench into an empty jar, when…
David the Senior Tea Blender enters the room! All hope is lost!
Mamma mia! Dario exclaims, freezing in place.
Cocking an eyebrow, David the Senior Tea Blender leans over the offending tin. His skeptical expression turns to one of delight as he roars, ‘Dario! This is brilliant! You even got the name just right!’
(As usual, thanks for sharing, whoever put this in!)
[Sample from the EU Travelling Box, autumn 2013.]
Preparation
I laughed out loud at work!
As a general rule I avoid teas with more than three ingredients. Very seldom do I break this rule as when I do I usually regret it.
haha That’s great!
david’s teas, although they have one or two i like, i generally consider to be a sort of ‘tea daycare’, because nothing gets left out. that’s grand for kids, crap for tea. especially when you’re taking about coloured sprinkles and whatnot. just MY opinion.
Lol this is the best team story ever! Thank you for making my Friday :)
Aw now, David’s definitely has a few gems!
Lol. Thank you for that.
And I’m less impressed with Davids than I was originally, but teas like North African Mint and Movie Night make me happy. I always buy samples now.
Aw, keychange, of course they do! No pouting!
And yeah, Cavocorax, there are a few I really want to try – Movie Night is number one on that list; I’m obsessed with anything popcorn.
Love the story!
I’m with KS on David’s tea. I’ve actually only ever tried a few of them, & they weren’t for me.
i like the vanilla orchid, and i likED the blueberry jam, but i can’t do stevia, and i like to add my own sweetener. call me picky, lol.
*oops I mean tea story haha not team, I also enjoy a few DavidsTeas, but I definitely won’t try Mamma Mia now LOL
I absolutely love your tea reviews … they make my day! Keep up the great work :)
“hibiscus, apple, raisins, rooibos, candied pineapple, candied papaya, orange peel, coconut chips, rosehips, elderberry, mallow blossoms, peach, almonds and cinnamon”
goodness. That is a lot of stuff indeed.
I am not biased against a lot of stuff, sometimes a lot of stuff is perfection itself and unlikely ingredients can work. But this ingredient list, well, it would take a genius to make it work.
lol I love this review too! I had to read it to my husband. He laughed too. I haven’t tried this tea yet, but man, that sounds like a lot of ingredients. I could see how that would definitely confuse anyone.
yes a lot of ingredients the only probs is …where is the tea in DT ? I never found it…
Kamyria’s review yesterday about the forest inspired me to go have a long walk today and write this review.
By now, you probably know that the forest is my backyard. I’ve written many times here on Steepster about my little adventures and how lucky and privileged I feel when I look outside my window or go for a walk, it never gets old.
This lifestyle is Nature’s gift to me, and that gift keeps on giving as long as I care for it in return. It’s pretty simple and yet, I wish more people could fully grasp that concept. The tea I’m reviewing today also keeps on giving…
I tell you, my snow shoes really get a run for their money this winter. I made my own trail and I try to go as often as possible. There’s a spot that we always stop at. It’s on top of a small hill and a huge rock stands there, under the trees. it is shaped as a loveseat, I call it my rocky chair.
I take a break as I watch my dog Dexter chase squirrels, his favourite sport. They like to tease him and sometimes, I think they’re playing with him, knowing full well he’ll never catch one of them!
The day is magnificent, sunshine coming at me from all directions, immaculate snow everywhere you look at, pine trees with heavy arms from all the snow weighing on them…
When I got back inside, I was freezing and seeking warmth, I love that feeling. My head still felt clear and peaceful from all the beauty I had just laid eyes on, and of course, the right tea amplified that feeling and made it linger a while longer.
I was waiting for a special moment to choose this sheng pu’erh, sent to me by the generous and wonderful Dexter3657. She read on a post that I wanted to experience more with shengs, and offered to send me this one. She wrote that this tea is the highest rated on Steepster, so I read nothing about it, not wanting to be influenced by other reviews.
I used 7g, 5oz yixing pot. The piece of cake is tight and compressed. Quick rinse. Already the aroma brings me somewhere, but I don’t want to go there yet, I want to take my time with it.
I pour the very light coloured liquor, close my eyes and smell, have my first sip.
Instant Nirvana!
Sweet sugarcane is what I notice first. Then, a feast for the senses. The smell that comes out of the pot can’t be ignored. I can describe it easily, cause it’s leading me there. If you’ve done camping in your life (most of us did), you have to think about the next morning, when you get out of the tent.
The smokey scent from the firecamp is still in the air, but it’s just a shadow of what is was the day before. It mixes with fresh morning dew, humid grass and moss. Earthy and smokey tones, fresh menthol. Take all these “ingredients”, gather them in a cake, and later, when you hit it with hot water, the memory trap is released and you experience that moment again.
I choose not to describe more. As it happens when I drink something really special, I give in to the tea, not wanting to think anymore but just be in the moment and feel the pure energy. Cha qi. The best thing that can happen. I’ve had these moments before, but not often enough. I plan on having a lot more in the future…
Thank you so much Dexter3657 for wanting me to discover how special your beloved Mandala truly is. You were right :-)
(Cough, Implacinganorderscrewthehiatus, cough, cough)
Preparation
Lovely note.
So lovely!
cough waituntilyou’vetriedsomeoftheothersbeforeordering cough
Thanks Morgana and Caile!
Dexter, cough, okbutitwillbereallyhardtowait, cough.
Wow.. that was a beautiful note! I’m honoured to have a mention in it too! :) I have to have this sheng… I hear too many good things about it to ignore it for much longer. I feel it… the order will be happening soon.
Beautiful note!
I’m really happy that you liked it. Mandala teas are special to me, and it makes me happy that you are experiencing some of that.
I’m not saying to wait until you’ve tried ALL the tea I sent you, but IMHO you will like the Milk Oolong. As much as I love this one, I think Noble Mark is better – different but better. :))
Kamyria, thanks, I loved your review of yesterday:-) and yes i hear you about the order happening real soon, lol!
Keychange, thank you:-)
Dexter, yes, I will refrain just a bit longer!! ( gee, I wonder if I can handle better than this one, lol)
That’s so awesome that you have snow shoes! I always wanted to try them out.
that sounds really nice I’ve always been curious about Mandala teas. I’m so jealous of your forest backyard…Y-a-t-il un plus joli jardin ? certainement pas.
Fjellrev, snow boots are awesome, and very useful around here!!
Ysaurella, I’m lucky to have other samples to try, I have a feeling an order will be placed very soon once I got to try a few more… Shipping seems to be very reasonable too. And yes, to me it is “le plus beau des jardins”, you got this right missy:-)
(I meant snow shoes)
I wish we got more snow here. That sounds so awesome! Man, I need to skip out of work early one day this week and go for a trail run. :)
So excited that you enjoyed this tea! I had a lengthy gong fu cha session with it on Sunday afternoon and I was more enamored with it than ever before. Always interesting when I find myself wanting to keep the rest of a stash rather than sell it :)
I loved your review of this. Thank you so much for taking the time to write it.
I have a new pressing of this tea happening right now in China. I got the leaf from the same farmer but it’s autumn 2013 versus spring 2012. I’m looking forward to trying the new one, too. The mao cha itself is darned good and already going through changes since it arrived in the pu’er vault. Yahooooo!!!!!
Listen Garrett, please don’t make it even more tempting than it already is, lol!
Thanks for sharing it, but wait for me, please don,t lock it in the vault all to yourself!! I’m browsing your website and will be placing an order soon, how can I resist???
OK call me crazy – it’s ok, I don’t mind….
This is Neapolitan ice cream. When it’s melted and all the flavors are mixed in the bottom of your bowl – that’s what this is. It’s more Neapolitan than the big name one that’s out there. This is good – it’s really good. Chocolate, strawberry, creamy – awesome. Maybe a hint thin on the mouth feel, but I can over look that.
Thank you so much VariaTEA for sending this sample my way.
Yay! I am glad you liked it. I want so much for my cacao aversion to subside so I can have a tasty cup of this. It just smells soo awesome.
The more I hear about this tea the more divine it sounds!
Mmmm Neapolitan!!
If it wasn’t so cold outside, I’d be temped to ice the rest of this sample – I think it would be amazing cold.
Or be inventive and make tea pops…lol
I need to look into doing that this summer – and this tea would be a good one to do it with – Moose Tracks would be another…hmmmm I see more HI orders in my future.
Mm yes I see reviews on moose tracks, is possible for you to send me a link to HI, please?
Oh wow! I wonder if anyone has tried these cacao-based ones iced or cold brewed then.
Abby Noelle here you go….lots of fun stuff on their site..
http://herbalinfusions.ca/
http://herbalinfusions.ca/collections/cacao-tea
http://herbalinfusions.ca/collections/black-tea/products/moose-tracks
My tea shop also sells organic cocoa shells from Tisano and has a few blends besides bulk sales. One favorite is a chocolate puerh with several other natural ingredients. I keep the hulls at home yo mix in my own puerh blending.
You know I don’t mean mine literally, my shop here in town.
Moose Tracks tea pops sound awesome!
So does that chocolate puerh, Bonnie!
Chain reaction:
Feed the dog.
Attention, kibble escape: reaches for the water bowl.
Vaguely notice, don’t care.
Dog notices.
Dog eats kibbles, keeps the extra juicy one for dessert.
Dog has a choice: drink the water (it’s full), but not that patient and thirsty.
Dog goes for what seems to be the obvious choice: spills the water all over the kitchen and eats kibble.
Dog now satisfied.
Water everywhere, slippery, I fall once. Soaked PJ’s, bruised tooshie.
Haven’t had a decent cup of tea yet.
Take a break and read some Steepster notes.
Get inspired by this tea, decide to fix myslef a pot.
Tin is out of reach.
Pull out the mini bench from under the counter.
Stretching, on the tip of my toes.
Tin is really at an awkwardly high place…
Oh-oh…feel a bench slip coming. Water…spill not cleaned properly.
Damn kibble.
Major dangerous off balance feeling…tin is grabbed at last second…
I go flying… I mean, FLYING folks.
Stainless steel stove drawer ends my fall.
Ouch.
Assam tea tin: checked! Still firmly held in one hand.
I know tea dedication when I see it.
Tea is good right now…was it worth it? Let me think about that…
ETA : in this disarray, I forgot to describe the tea, sorry!
It provides such a beautifully rich malty smooth assam cup, a tad astringent just the way I like. It’s on the fruity side this one. Very good quality, at such a decent price once again. Zen tea is so affordable, perfect place if you are starting a straight tea journey, you can buy many samples for very cheap. I buy this one by the tin, time to replace it!
My! what an ordeal! Now stay in one place, for heaven’s sake!
LOL (sorry!). Hope you’re OK! :-)
Keychange, i’m standing still!!!
Caile, «LOL» to say the least! Too bad there wasn’t a camera on me, i would have posted it here. I’m ok thanks :-)
i’m glad you’re okay…
When I loose kibble, or cereal. .heh, really anything that lands on the floor for that matter. . .Ive learned my lesson to tend to it immediately. I have four dogs who always show up, but I bark a really loud “HEY!” at them, so I can get to the dropped items first. However, I have managed to slip on my one dog’s drool a few times. Usually I have to put him outside while i prepare food (he never drools except at food time and its a LOT of drool. yuck!!). But sometimes he thinks its food time when its not, and I don’t notice, until I slip on it. :)
Thanks Cryptickoi, just a little sore!
Caile, yay for preserving the tea at any cost, right? Paraplegic, but tea fortunate!!
Shelly, i have only one dog and he’s a neat freak and so obedient! i’m very surprised he did this!
Wow, guess you have to be organized with 4 dogs in the house! (I have a few cats also). But as much as I love him, I don’t think I could handle another dog. ( maybe the fact that he’s the size of a giraffe has something to do with that lol)
I have cats too. Its a zoo, I need to be in control. haha. My dogs are all spaniels 12-20lb. As for giraffe dogs, I don’t think I could afford to feed more than one of those regardless of what my patience can handle :D
Omg.. lol.. I’m sorry! Well, I’m glad you’re ok and the tea is safe. :)
Ouch, I hope you are not feeling too sore. So, now that you have had time to think, was the tea worth it? :)
Well roughage, I’ve consulted the tooshie, and all is find, was totally worth it. Not the tea’s fault. Must reevaluate my storage abilities, why such a favourite was kept so out of reach to begin with?
I’m so glad you’re ok!
Ouch! Glad you are OK & that your tasty tea was spared as well.
I’m so sorry for your day!
Thanks guys, I’m ok, really, thank god the rest of my day was better :-)
:(( Boooo glad you are ok, be careful, sometimes the hurts show up the next day. Relax and drink some tea.
Thanks Dex, i will :-)
This was my tea of the morning (no incident today, y’all, smooth easy going morning…)
I probably like Darjeeling as much as I do Assam. Some of them are as effective in the morning as any bold Assams.
This is another one I purchase by the tin (when I say by the tin, I mean 100g or more).
I only slightly prefer SF to FF cause they usually hold more of that fruity muscatel taste I like so much. I also love the fresh citrusy astringency this one offers (not bitter) that activates my tastebuds. That feature is usually more present in the FF I own. So this tea makes the Dajeeling worlds collide!
I’ve said in previous note on this tea that it feels like my favourite pair of denim: it hugs me in all the right places. Well nothing has changed.
I’m in love with this tea and always surprised it hasn’t received more reviews.
(See previous note)
Today was a very good day, I was at home with the cats and dog. I watched some old Seinfeld episodes and laugh really hard. «Master of your domain» and «Goerge’s world collides» for those familiar with the show…OMG, a gem.
Laughter is the best therapy. If your a cat lover like I am please don’t hesitate and click this link. If you’re not a cat lover, don’t click cause it will make you hate them even more. I don’t want that!
A special friend sent it to me 2 days ago, and i can’t explain how much it amused me. Still does. Thanks, you know who you are :-)
my cats would never do anything like that ;)
Mine doooo!!!!
Cryptickoi, were you being sarcastic, or are your cars really well behaved, lol, just curious :-)
haha…i’m glad you had no mishaps trying to get to your tea today…
Damn typos, I meant cats, of course your cars are well behaved!
They are all at eye level now…you live and learn!
haha…yes i’m being sarcastic…its their house,they just let me stay here….
luckily my car does behave…
“its their house,they just let me stay here….” That’s pretty much how it is, and mine has me really well trained
I’m with you, we live in their houses, but I like all opinionated living things, so it’s all good!
Hahaha! Good to know you can be tamed after all, Dex!
yeah,mine typically get what they want….
I’ve added this to my shopping list! let the revolution begin!
Haha! Keychange, you are putting much pressure on me, my dear partner in crime!
Thank you for the YouTube link. I haven’t laughed that hard in a while. Our cats have done all those things except intentionally turn off the TV :)
And your tasting note on the Darjeeling sounds interesting. I have added it to my shopping list – Thanks!
TeaExplorer, I know, right? I also thanked the person who sent it my way :-)
My cats have turn on/off/change the channel of the tv, more than once, stepping on the remote controL ACCIDENTALLY, I’m hoping, lol…(though after watching this, I’m not quite sure!!!)
This tea is good but can’t be compared to the complexity of the finest spring Darjeeling you’ll ever taste, but I just love how it suits me as a good morning companion:-)
Soooo i haven’t had any tea since Sunday. When i woke up this morning i knew i needed a couple of old favourites to get me through the day since my next few weeks are going to be a little crazy. Got in last night, and now i’m at an offsite for two days which means the work is piling up! There’s a release over the weekend and then i’m back on a plane for a couple of days, which means more work piling up. Long story short…looks like there will be some overtime for a while! eesh.
This is such a wonderful tea to kick off my time back in Toronto. On the upside, i think the team is going bowling tonight which will be awesome! even though all i want to do is go home and sleep haha.
Gee, welcome back busy woman!!!
No tea since Sunday? How did you survive??
No tea since Sunday? But… but… it’s Wednesday today! Welcome back!!
Overtime means more money to buy tea!
(Or, I guess for your wedding…)
At least you made it through and it’s all behind you now. Curl up with a nice cuppa and forget your tealess days in a puff of aromatic steam.
Nice choice, especially since you’ve been hella busy! When you have the time, make sure to go through my cupboard and pick stuff out that you’d like to try so I could return the favour and send some back your way. :)
oooh i’ll try and take a look this weekend before i leave again. maybe this time my hotel room will have a damn kettle!
We’re going to pretend that the next words off my finger tips are not words typed by me. I.Love.This. Green. tea. yeah that’s right. this is a sipdown and i’m a little sad. The teafairy sent this one my way and i have to say i made it today and started sipping on it, not expecting to really enjoy this. And then suddenly, i was at the bottom of my cup and re-steeping a second cup. Yeah. That’s right. I found a green i really like. It doesn’t have that usual “green, vegetal” taste to it. I can believe it when they say this is a rare tea because the flavour was uniquely interesting. The sad part? It was so delicious i just kind of gulped my way through this and didn’t take very good notes on it, beyond loving it. So it’ll go on to my shopping list for a future tealux order with their black tea that i love…and we’ll give them another shot :) thank you teafairy!
Preparation
love tencha too, yum!
if you liked this green, I need to consider it ! as you I am not a very green person
WOW!!! That is awesome that you found a green that you like. Best thing about swapping and letting others choose tea for you. They might pick something that you wouldn’t have chosen for yourself that turns out to be a winner.
Ysaurella – if i order some in the future, i’ll pass some along to you. saves you having to order it heh
Dexter – agreed! and that’s why i love swaps. teafairy also sent along a bunch of oolongs for me to try so it should be a fun time :)
ah Oolongs are wonderful, you’ll have fun for sure as TheTeaFairy’s tastes are really very good !
I need to try some of this also!!
I’m gonna have to try this one too. :)
haha ok but if you guys don’t love it…don’t blame me! :)
OMG, triple, quadruple YAY!!!!! Isn’t it pretty and usual to look at also? Such a nice deep green…so happy I have included it :-)
Guys, I would gladly send some to you if I had enough left, but the rest goes to another swap I have going on.
Ysaurella, I have other stuff I want to share with you, will be contacting you soon when time is right if you’re interested :-)
it DOES have a great colour to it as well :)
If I don’t like it, I can just make ochazuke with it!
How is it possible that I haven’t logged this?
I drank the last of it last night and just went to remove it from my cupboard and noticed that I’ve never logged it. How rude!!
This is one of my favorite from Cornelia Bean. It’s almond, it’s caramel, it’s something like burnt toffee, it’s oooey goooey sweet. Even better steeped with the MissB lower temp shorter steep trick.
If I’m ever allowed into Cornelia Bean again, I will pick up more of this – awesome desserty type tea.
Do you keep a spreadsheet for all the teas. I was removing but then realized what if I forget if I had that tea before. My memory is not that great anymore;)
LOL I am NOT organized enough to to keep a spread sheet. I try really hard to make sure I’ve logged all the teas that I’ve tried. This is my “memory”, if it says “drank one time” then I’ve tried it – if it doesn’t, it’s either in my cupboard, or I haven’t tried it. So far that’s working for me.
What I need a spread sheet for is to keep track of which teas I’ve sent to which swap buddies, I’m always afraid of sending them something I’ve sent them before. I really need to get organized. :))
Good idea. I try to stick to ppl wish list and many times I add whatever I liked a lot. So I need 2 spreadsheets. You know my hubby is a programmer so his rule is to back up every 5 min. What if god forbid smth will happen to Steepster?
What if god forbid smth will happen to Steepster? LOL Don’t even joke about it – if that happens I’m lost – what would I do without my Steepster buddies? No I don’t even want to think about it….
This link is very helpful, I think, since it’s all in one page, and searchable: http://steepster.com/clareborn/feed.rss
(And I keep lists of what I send to whom in my gmail drafts folder.)
dexter…that’s why you need to answer my FB message..
Thanks Anna – that’s an awesome link. I didn’t know it existed. Love learning new stuff.
<3
FB message – OMG I haven’t logged into FB in at least 6 months….LOL right – I’m on that.
LOL.
Anna….we has her naao!
We spun a webb of HAIRS.
I think we lost her…
I think she probably just doesn’t understand how FB works. Six months is like six years in FB time…
That’s true….
i don’t keep a spreadsheet, but whenever a new tea comes in i stick it in a gigunda google doc list (i started out sorting it by tea types, but i’ve gotten lazy about that), and if i ever wonder if i have something already i control-F for it. when i’ve tried it, i put a strikethrough over it, and when i really like it i put a star next to it (when i hate it, which is rare, i put a big X next to it). not as organized as a spreadsheet, but works for me and is faster.
and yeah, thanks so much for that Anna! super helpful. i hate trying to find a log of a tea i know i’ve logged before from the actual tea page, sifting through pages of reviews.
Haha, beware of the big X! And yeah, it’s really helpful – I wish I remembered who told me about it so I could give proper credit.
Oh I must try this one soon that you sent a while back!
Oh my god, bringing this to work with me in my carry mug today was probably the best decision I’ve made in like a week. I had my doubts as to whether it would be “viable” in a travel mug, because travel mugs can really stifle many a good tea, but that simply wasn’t the case. I used slightly more than two tsp of leaf for 16 oz of water, added a touch of cream and sugar, and drank what I swear was hot melon juice/milk all morning. I used up the last of what was sent to me by the lovely ifjuly, and am very lucky to still have some left from Nay Lynn!
Anna, you started this addiction of mine! Ifjuly and Nay Lynn, thank you so much for being my suppliers!
You are braver than I trying a precious tea in a travel mug.. So glad it worked well for you :)
It’s just confirmation that my travel mug is extremely awesome!! go carry mug!!
This review made me smile. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Another endorsement for the carry mug! Go keychange!
i sometimes wonder what other ppl are going with their travel mugs that they have funny tasting teas in them…
I don’t know-I’ve definitely found that often tea tastes different depending on what you drink it out of. I like the carry mug (and the timolino) because you can smell as you drink.
fair enough…the smell factor i can get behind :)
I agree that what you drink tea out of can make a difference in how it tastes. Some teas just taste better if you can smell them too… it’s a whole experience thing.
I just gotta break down and spend the money to get the carry mug….. It’s funny. Some things I’m willing to just drop money on, but for whatever reason I’m hesitant on this one and I really want it.
My carry mug is by far my favourite piece of teawear. May I ask what’s making you hesitate?
I don’t know. I think it’s that I don’t want to just buy the carry mug, but I haven’t found any of the teas that are calling to me. (I should go look again and see what I find.)
Okay, I did it. I found a couple of teas that I thought sounded good to try and placed the order. Whew.
Wow!! what colour did you choose? (I really want more colours). And I hope you like it as much as I do!!
Ice Blue. I love the color blue. Almost everything I own is blue. Now I’m excited!
I have it in ice blue also! woohoo!!
I have to drink tea out of glass/ceramic or it tastes funny to me.
I LOVE bananas foster so I am sooo glad NayLynn was awesome enough to send me some of this tasty treat (Thank you NayLynn!!!).
First off, the brewed cup smells awesomely delicious – like caramelized bananas (shocking, right?). And as I sip on it now, I am reminded of the 52 tea’s Butterscotch Banana (another shocker :P). There is one exception and that is the base – there is a quality to it that is a touch present but it is lending itself to the rum component of a bananas foster. Overall, I continue to be impressed with 52 tea’s banana blends and am glad NayLynn was so generous with her sample size.
In completely unrelated news, has anyone ever used snapchat? I got the app because a bunch of my friends are spread throughout the country and it is a fun way to keep in touch but also its just really weeeiird.
Ohhh man, that sounds nice. Incidentally, I’m making some form of banana cake tonight. I’m thinking with whole spelt, dates and maple syrup. Really moist and luscious. I’m making myself hungry.
Super weird (can get creepy); I find only younger folks use it, and I just use other app if I want to chat with my friends.
Ooooh Sami, that sounds delicious!! I hope it turns out amazing!
And MissB, I am pretty sure a lot of people use it for some not-so-innocent reasons but luckily I don’t know anyone who would decide to use it in that manner. So far it has been funny faces, pictures of food, and screenshots of TV shows. Not the most productive or cultured way to spend our time but still entertaining.
To chat to groups of friends simultaneously, I just use whatsap.
A lot of my friends have Iphones so I use imessage but this is also a fun alternative.
I haven’t used it in forever, but I have a snapchat! I think it’s roswell_mfs if anyone wants to add me.
Haha we can snapchat our tea time :P
I kept reading “snapchat” and registering “chatroulette”, the chat site that sets you up to video chat with a random stranger… which reminded me of that dude Steve Kardynal. Now I have to watch his chatroulette video again. It’s the best ever! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6DmHGYy_xk
I wonder how many of those who laugh their asses off at that consider the fact that they wouldn’t have laughed if it had been a woman rather than a man performing exactly the same moves.
Also, as always, MASSIVE props to all the straight dudes getting into that performance bigtime.
He also did this one a few years back: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o71kCuva4B4
I have this vague memory of reading some interview with him a long time ago, where he stressed that he wanted to address gender issues. Otherwise, I’m obviously aggressively against the ‘dudes dressing up as ladies is FUNNY’ brand of humour.
Dustin – YES. I love that video.
He has done a few chatroulette videos now, but I think the Miley one is my favorite. I love all the guys who are laying down in bed with their shirts off hoping to get a hot voyeuristic girl on the other end, but get Steve instead.
I was in high school when the Nirvana video came out where they were wearing dresses (had a huge crush on the drummer) and have thought that guys in dresses were hot ever since. Mrs. Doubtfire and White Girls type guys in dresses is irritating (maybe that is the same type of humor you were talking about Anna), but drag queens are amazing and get mad respect. I do get a little envious of guys that have sexier legs than I do tho. :)
Unf yes, boys in drag (looking forward to when it’s not ‘drag’, but everyone just wears dresses and skirts, guy or not) and, for me, also boys in make up (everyone really does look better with make up, in my opinion). There’s a FB thing going around now (I think only Great Britain) in connection with a cancer donation campaign – women post selfies without make up and men post selfies with make up. My feed is like Christmas.
Oh they know they are special, don’t they…I now understand why they don’t offer samples, why they only sell 4oz tins. Who’d want just a tiny little supply of this god damn fine tea?
I promise, you have a sip of this, and you want to curse like a lumberjack in action. %$&#&?!?&# this is good!!!
Full bodied, malty, just a little smoky, very assertive yet smooth, a Mr. Personality!
It’s not fancy, there are no poetic inspiration that comes to mind when I drink it…
It just pleases me in every possible way.
It’s as if I had spoken to my tea this morning and said something like this «TEA, I command you to taste like a slap in the face and satisfy my every desires like no other tea has ever done in the morning!» and this is what I would have gotten.
Thanks Dexter3657 for paying attention by adding this one for me, I understand why it’s her favourite blend. I was dying to try, but not willing to commit. Now it will be hard to stop me from placing an order.
Really? I wasn’t so sure that you would like this one….
Happy that you do – buy we need to talk about “stop me from placing an order”
Lol, I said «it will be hard» this means I’m HOPING someone WILL stop me cause the last thing I need is more tea!!! But this is sooo goood!!!
Sorry lady, its very very good. I love all A@D teas;)
I have about 3/4 of a can if you want more – can send you some to tide you over until you get your cupboard under control….
Boychik, you are not helping at all ;-)
Awww! Dexter you are sweet… But considering how expensive they are, it would be very selfish on my part to accept such an offer. I just have to control myself!!!
But the tin I have was gifted to me by an incredibly generous Steepster friend – it’s a tea in my cupboard that I feel I should share… I won’t force it on you , but if you ever want more, just let me know. :))
Haha! Then…yes please!! :-):-):-)
And I can always return the favour when I order… eventually …
And while we’re on this topic, have you tried all of A & D’s other teas yet? If not, I’ll be glad to send you samples of them :)
LOL ok I’ll toss some into your next box. :))
Terri, it is my understanding that they have only a few blends, right? I have tried only Tiger Assam (which I equally loved) and this one… I would NEVER ask you to send me something without giving in return :-) :-) :-)
So far, Double Knit is a regular item with Damn Fine, versus a limited edition. Double Knit is one of my favourite blends, EVER.
Michelle, I see that many people have fallen in love with this tea and I now understand why :-)
Let’s see…Here’s what I have:
double knit
tiger assam
Caravan – smokey black
Redtailed Hawk – black blend leaning more in the ceylon direction, a little bright, but still very drinkable
Chinese New Year aka Golden tips – A Dian Hong type
Spring – their latest, a Keemun type
I have a bunch of tea from you already, that were sent to me by Sil, so in a way, we’re already deep into a trade! :)
Terri, please see PM :-)
A&D have a special on: choose your own three-pack (from the regular stock) for $48, versus $20 per tin.
Thank you michelle, will sure keep that in mind when comes time to order :-)
Part of a joint order with OMGsrsly, which I forgot about for months until I found my portioned ziplock hidden in my closet.
Mango flavour paired with toasted rice is very tasty and satisfying as long as I don’t remember Marshmallow Treat and start craving that instead.
… And I ran out of both my flavoured genmaicha blends within a week of getting back home from Japan. I’m struggling oh so much.
Flavors: Mango, Toasted Rice
Preparation
Lack of flavored genmaicha makes me sad. I actually ordered the three-tier genmaicha tin from the 52 teas kickstarter and it got lost on route between my dad and I :(
@VariaTEA – I’m so sorry about the teas getting lost in the mail. That’s a bummer!
On the upside, I have made it a point to start making a flavored Genmaicha every other month. :)
awesome liberteas….now can you fix the exchange rate? hahaha
^ That.
Wow that sounds fantastic! I’ve only tried strawberry genmaicha before- by metropolitan tea company, and its one of my favorite fruity teas for sure.
Sorry, I can’t do anything about the exchange rate. Truly, I wish I could. I also wish I could do something about the crazy high prices to ship to Canada because I would love for those to be lower. Back when I was doing business as LiberTEAS and shipping my teas out – the rates to ship to Canada were at most a dollar or so more than what it would cost to ship the same package throughout the US so I didn’t even have different shipping costs for Canada back then. That was probably the biggest shocker for me when I started shipping as 52Teas – just how much it costs now to ship to Canada!
yeah, it’s pretty awful
The shipping costs make me quite sad, too. I’d definitely place a 52Teas order, and with other American tea companies, if the rates were better.
Yeah, given the crappy exchange AND THEN, the exorbitant shipping fees on top of that gives the impression that we are being penalized for being Canadian.
That’s what we get for being maple syrup-guzzling, hockey-obsessed hosers. I mean, we get what we deserve!
Ha!
Mmmmm, this sounds yum! I need to have a look at 52Teas again…
i would love to be supporting a number of US companies but it’s challenging and i HAVE a tea mule. So i try to at least promote verbally even if i can’t do it with $
…at least sales help bring the price down to “regular price” for us…then it’s just the shipping factor… Of course the canada post strike is going to make things interesting around here for sure
Canada Post strike? Shazbat!
I had no idea about a CP strike. Wasn’t there just one a 3-4 years ago?
It’s also annoying when companies don’t always have everything in stock, or don’t have enough selection to justify making an order. I’m not going to pay the crazy shipping on top of the already insane prices just for a couple teas.
I do have sales occasionally – I can’t afford to do that too often though – Plus, I have my daughter to answer to. (She’s the boss of this outfit.) I don’t want to put her in the position of feeling that she has to fire her mother.
Exactly, Fjellrev. If I make a cross border order, it is going to be a big one to justify the shipping expense.
I can understand your position, 52teas. Also, the very nature of your business means that you can offer only a very few of your teas on sale at any particular time. Clearly, they are going to be the ones which are not moving as quickly as the more popular or desirable ones. Sucks for us Canadian shoppers.
@Fjellrev – our comments must have crossed – I didn’t see yours before or I would have commented on it.
By the very nature of our business – we can’t keep all the teas in stock all the time. We’re called “52Teas” because we put a new flavor out there every week. We’d need a warehouse the size of Costco to be able to keep all the teas in stock all the time. We do have a large selection but we only make small batches of every tea that we create to keep the flavors fresh and maintain space within my tea studio to house the teas until they sell.
That is totally understandable in your case, 52Teas! I used to order from 52Teas years ago when it was still reasonable cost-of-the-tea-itself-plus-exchange-rate-plus-shipping-wise but I found that I just simply cannot afford/justify it anymore. I agree, Evol, that in this case, in order to get the more popular/desirable ones, you’d have to make more frequent/smaller orders, but that means paying so much extra for shipping every time. It’s awesome that shipping is free with $75+ orders, but even then, it works out to $17-18/50g even if you commit to the larger 1.5-2 ounce pouches right off the bat.
“I can understand your position, 52teas. Also, the very nature of your business means that you can offer only a very few of your teas on sale at any particular time. "
I was referring to when you are having a sale. Perhaps my meaning didn’t come through.
Also, Fjellrev, I think the large sizes are now 50 grams. Uncertain of current prices.
@evol – yes there’s a 90% chance of a CP strike starting July 2. Our corporate team is on it as it affects tons of what we do.
The 50g price is “usually” $10. If it’s a more expensive base, the price will adjust accordingly.
@Fjellrev: I understand. The prices have changed because the quality has increased – I’m using better quality teas (and other ingredients) than were previously being used.
So I should order tea and stuff well before July 2nd. Got it.
Sometimes I contemplate getting one of those border mail boxes for about $5 per parcel, but I’d rather try a group order or find a way to justify a large order for free shipping- hard to do with limited, specialized companies like 52teas for the reasons Fjellrev stated. It’s tough right now.
Thanks, Sil.
I personally enjoy and support that you’ve improved the quality of teas and ingredients, 52teas. The result is a better product which is better for everyone all round.
And as CrowKettle states, it is tough right now.
Yummmy! Maybe I will use this for the Goldie test later!!!!
Oh! Great idea!!
Goldie test?
I think I will break in my new teapot with this next week when it comes. Bought an incredible pot from purepuer.com.
looseTman – We are experimenting with my gold-lined cup to see if tea tastes different than with a regular teacup. So far, it does
A gold-lined cup, wow! Pic?
Different in a good way?
LTM – http://instagram.com/p/sV50CHPkeR/