Popular Tasting Notes

97

A few weeks ago, I was invited to a friends birthday party…I brought this tea among others for her to try.

I bought a cute little tea pot for her cause she just started drinking tea. Everyone had to try to come up with the most creative idea to wrap her gifts. My wrapping won, here’s a fun pic of what it looked like:

http://instagram.com/p/rXbVauQh-r/

When she saw this tea, she said the same thing as I always do (Mandy, close your eyes): Spider legs.

http://instagram.com/p/rXvsgEQhw7/

Beautiful long strands of yummy goodness.

She’s not used to this type of straight tea, but she was blown away by it. She said it tasted like baked goods and honey! I praised her for that :-)

It also tastes very fruity to me, like raisins with some kind of boozy notes. (And yes Stacy if you read this, I will submit that!)

Having this tea in the Gaiwan is the best way possible IMHO. I like to brew it “Fairy Style”. But since I have quite a few yixing pots coming my way, I am thinking of dedicating one just for my beloved PTA and TWMB! Cause why shouln’t they have their own brewing vessels?

They certainly deserve it!

Show 28 previous comments...
Cameron B. 11 years ago

WOW that vegetable wrapping is amazing! I love the radish and grape rosette. And I can’t wait to try this tea, I’m supposed to get my order tomorrow! :D

Cameron B. 11 years ago

And I love the “spider leg” teas… They remind me of the branches of some dark and ancient gnarled tree. :3

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Cameron, this tea is REALLY special! So fragrant… And the veggie wrapping was a lot of fun to do :-)

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

You’re so right about the ancient gnarled tree :-)

Stephanie 11 years ago

veggie wrap? WOW!

mj 11 years ago

How are you so good at EVERYTHING? lol Nice pics, as usual!

MzPriss 11 years ago

“quite a few yixing pots”…

SarsyPie 11 years ago

Just when I think you can’t get any cuter, you wrap a gift. :p

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Missy…dunno what hou mean.

Sarsy, eating the grapes was part of the unwrapping :-)

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Mj, you should try that some day, the person’s face who you give it to is just priceless :-)

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Stephanie, all I needed was fresh produces some toothpicks and a glue gun!

Dexter 11 years ago

“quite a few yixing pots”… I have failed miserably at my duties. :((

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

OMG! Don’t beat yourself over this…dex, if it weren’t from you, things would be so much more out of control!!!
(I may have done “things” since yesterday though)

MzPriss 11 years ago

She didn’t do it alone * blushes *

Dexter 11 years ago

(shaking my head and heading back to my corner to play with my spread sheet – I’m going to be good and not buy more stuff…)

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Dexter, i got help from an outsider too, a yixing guru. Oops. i think I may have forgotten to tell you about him.

Dexter 11 years ago

Yixing guru? Can he/she tell me if my mystery pot is safe to drink out of? I see a whole collection of them in your future ;)

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Lol, send me a picture again. Will ask him. Dunno if he can tell from a picture though :-/

boychik 11 years ago

Dexter, I’m not guru, but I want to see a pic. I’m quite obsessed with yixing lately

boychik 11 years ago

The veggie/fruit wrap is priceless. You are so creative.

Dexter 11 years ago

Fairy – I’ll take some better photos and the stamp on the bottom and send them to you some day soon. I agree not sure how you tell from a photo…

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

I was must gonna say that, thanks.

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

And thanks boychik…my imagination runs wild sometimes :-o

boychik 11 years ago

Dexter, I think it’s safe, it’s looks like purple clay, no weird color. Again I dunno. it looks big. What about smell, sound?

Dexter 11 years ago

My Camellia one is HUGE – but I seasoned it with Special Dark so that’s ok.
The one in question is about 200 ml. It looks ok, and smells ok to me. The clerk at the store wouldn’t commit to anything other than “clay” – but there was a language barrier. I know it’s not that well made – the lid doesn’t fit completely tight – can’t stop the pour buy blocking the hole in the lid.
It was cute, I was having a bad day – needed some shopping therapy, and I was just excited to have found one locally – so I bought it…

Terri HarpLady 11 years ago

I have 2 new yixing en route…
I love my tiny teapots!

boychik 11 years ago

Dexter, I’m more concern with quality of clay than craftsmanship. It’s ok if lid is not tight, doesn’t effect

Dexter 11 years ago

I understand that it’s the quality of clay that’s a concern – but I’m thinking crap craftsmanship = crap clay… maybe…? I’m not sure what I’m going to do with it yet – it’s cute – it sits on a book case… maybe one day I’ll season it and see if it tastes funny…

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Dexter, don’t forget to send me the pics. Try to also take a pics of the inside, it can tell a lot. Also, don’t wait too long, i might not be in contact with yixing guru eternally :-) he was so nice with me, I’m sure he might be able to tell us something if the pictures are clear enough.

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91

Oh my, this tea…

Ok, I have to admit: this is hands down one of the best friggin Dancong I have had to date.

It’s all citrus essential oils. Orange and clementine’s breeze, rounded by a roasted nutty cashew creaminess.

There’s a peppery finish, the way a good olive oil can be. I also get cilantro notes.

(Ok, note to self: make an orange, cashew, cilantro olive oil salad and drink this tea next time)

The citrus lingers forever and ever. Amen. Get this.

In other news, it’s that time of year here when tons of dragonflies gather above my rooftop, forming a big cloud. There’s literarily hundreds of them. It’s quite a phenomenon. They are so beautiful and whimsical. Iridescent blues and greens…just stunning.

This will last for about a week, every evening just before it gets dark.

You’ll guess, I have a thing for dragonflies. There’s just a mystic aura about them, so intriguing and fascinating.

I’m not superstitious, but I’d like to think they bring good luck. If not, at least I know for sure they bring me joy and happiness, just like this tea does :-)

Pic:

http://instagram.com/p/rqMh2mwh8R/

Show 20 previous comments...
Cheri 11 years ago

I really liked this tea. A lot.

SarsyPie 11 years ago

I love this review! Any chance we could get a pic of the dragonflies? They sound amazing!!!!

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Thanks sarsy. I tried. Its does’t come out nice at all, looks more like a blur. But it was very dark due to clouds tonight, will try again :-)

boychik 11 years ago

sounds amazing, i hope its not floral.

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

No, this one isn’t boychik, all roasted, nutty and citrus :-)

Whispering Pines Tea Company 11 years ago

I remember the first time I made this…I was in my living room and had all the doors open…brewed it and then went outside for a few minutes and was really confused when I came back in because I knew I had forgotten to buy oranges but smelled them. The citrus notes are fantastic. :)

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Yes, it’s unmistakably orange…what’s so amazing is how long the taste stays with you… Like I’m done drinking for a good 15 minutes now and the citrus is sill in my mouth.

boychik 11 years ago

Oh I should get it. Especially with free ship I don’t have to think what to include in my order;)

Dexter 11 years ago

Citrus? UhOh…. I’m not going to like this.
Really happy that you do!!!!

Stephanie 11 years ago

OMG want

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Did you buy this one? It’s not lemony though, just very orangey dex…but I know you’re not a fan of anything citrus :-o

Stephanie, it’s really worth trying :-)

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Boychik, don’t rub it in please….I’m in Canada, remember? :-(

Stephanie 11 years ago

I need to start saving for a WP order

apt 11 years ago

I’ve heard good things about the Huang Zhi Xiang from Seven Cups

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Your first order Stephanie?

boychik 11 years ago

But you have awesome Tao Tea Leaf. If not Marzipan I would have to pay &14 in ship ;-)

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Lol, I did pay $13!!!! It wasn’t free due to the sale and shipping here was almost as expensive as for you guys,,,,find another argument haha!
No kidding, I don’t pay shipping with WP anyways cause my orders always go over $75 …sigh. Too many good teas!

Marzipan 11 years ago

You had me until cilantro.

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Don’t let that stop you marzi, it’s just a very subjective note that someone else would not necessarily find. If you like citrus, chances are you would love this.

boychik 11 years ago

TTF, really? but you are in Canada. i didnt know that. I thought those rate for US customers. I know, we have much better ship option almost always. Cilantro? i hate it. its like soap to me. just tell me no cilantro. i dont mind cilantro seed

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Lol, cilantro totally tastes like citrus to me, so maybe that’s what my reference is :-) and like I just mentioned ^ ^
, it’s just a subtle note I got, not a “flavour”.

Marzipan 11 years ago

Disliking cilantro is genetic, I just learned that not long ago.

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Last 2 days i spent on Planet Jingmai by Crimson Lotus Tea. I think its my 3rd orb since i got it last April. its developing nicely. its thicker,leaves are getting darker. so sweet,almost no astringency, just barely. i used off boil water, that what i do for any sheng, young or middle aged. It was opening slowly and i was patient. ive had some other teas in between. it made me very mellow and relaxed.
i started in 90ml shiboridashi and ended up in 150ml yixing pot. i had to give a room for the leaves explosion!

https://instagram.com/p/BAapeHdBwga/

https://instagram.com/p/BAatmxZBwn3/

https://instagram.com/p/BAa9lfHBwiK/

https://instagram.com/p/BAdmKy7hwp7/

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 0 min, 15 sec
Show 21 previous comments...
Kirkoneill1988 10 years ago

shiboridashi? what is that? :)

Brian 10 years ago

its basically a japanese gaiwan….

boychik 10 years ago

Or easy Gaiwan

KiwiDelight 10 years ago

I still have the two balls I got in the summer. I’m thinking this weekend I’ll finally have one…

Kirkoneill1988 10 years ago

@Brian, awesome!

Crimson Lotus Tea 10 years ago

I’ve spent the last three days on one ball in a Jianshui teapot. They’ve got some long legs. I mistakenly started one ball in a 50ml yixing. It just fit so cute in there. Big mistake! :-)

boychik 10 years ago

@ Crimson Lotus Tea its still in my Hanwa, its spilling out of it and its 150ml lol
I had two cups in the morning and had to go to bed for a nap ;P

boychik 10 years ago KiwiDelight start in small gaiwan but be prepared to transfer. every night i just spread leaves on a plate. dont keep lid on between steeps to avoid cooking the leaves. 200- 205F was a right temp for me, it wasnt bitter or astringent
OMGsrsly 10 years ago

So do I need to find a bigger teapot for it, boychik? How does 18oz sound?

boychik 10 years ago

OMGsrsly lol that’s extremely big. 6-8oz pot is fine. If you don’t have that size fill your 18oz in half. Otherwise it will be thin

Kirkoneill1988 10 years ago

@Crimson Lotus Tea, what is the gram amount per ball?

OMGsrsly 10 years ago

Hahaha. :D Yeah, I know. It’s thermos size. I think I have something ~200ml. :)

Kirkoneill1988 10 years ago

does anyone know the gram amount?

boychik 10 years ago

@kirkoneill 1988. I think they are about 6g more or less.

Kirkoneill1988 10 years ago

@Boychik, hmm… weird that it could get so bitter :/

boychik 10 years ago

@kirkoneill it’s not bitter, I didn’t say that. Have you tried it and was it bitter for you?

KiwiDelight 10 years ago

I really appreciate your advice! I have my 4oz porcelain gaiwan, but also a 6oz glass tea pot. Those should be fine, right?

Crimson Lotus Tea 10 years ago

@Kirkoneill1988 they’re about 8g per ball. It varies, but the average is around there.

boychik 10 years ago

@ KiwiDelight yes, start in smallest vessel. Then you will have to transfer, leaves would just explode. Like oolong.
@Crimson Lotus I never weighted them. You are right they are bigger than 6g

Kirkoneill1988 10 years ago

@boychik, i must have misread it somewhere :/ i apologize

Kirkoneill1988 10 years ago

@Crimson Lotus Tea, i see :)

boychik 10 years ago

@ Kirkoneill1988 cool , apology not needed . I thought you’ve tried and it was bitter for you. Misunderstanding

Kirkoneill1988 10 years ago

:)

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drank Special Dark by Mandala Tea
1040 tasting notes

An incredibly caring Steepster friend is concerned that all I’m drinking are samples from other people, and that I should take some time and enjoy some of my favorite teas. I’m searching for the great teas, but not enjoying the one’s I’ve found. I’ve decided to “sort of” take that advice.
I have sent samples of this out to several people, and assume that it is going to be amazing, but I’ve never actually drank it. So tonight I’m taking a ME tea night to explore the dark side.
I threw about 2.5 tsp of this into my gravity steeper, gave it a quick wash and then let it steep – I’ve read lots of review that say that this is AMAZING if steeped for a long time. I’m watching and waiting, and it’s getting darker, and darker, and I chicken out at about 4 minutes. OK 4 minutes is a LONG steep for pu’erh – at least for me…
Wow this is crazy – unlike any other pu’erh I’ve tried. There really isn’t any of the musty/earthy typical pu’erh taste – it is just deep dark chocolate – maybe a hint of “pu’erh” in the back but it’s just adding depth to the chocolate. OK I’m a believer.
I add another couple of tsp of new leaf to the old leaf (I don’t care it’s my tea night I can do what I like) – gave it another quick rinse and let it steep for NINE minutes.
OMG – this is unsweetened cocoa from a fine chocolatier. I add about a tsp of sweetener and just a splash of milk – just enough to change the color. This is my new favorite chocolate tea. I love this.
Now what do I do? I think I’m going to take the leaves and toss them in the fridge to cold steep. If anyone hasn’t tried it – cold steep pu’erh is crazy good.
As always, thank you Mandala for another amazing tea experience.

Show 18 previous comments...
Sil 11 years ago

i’m so happy you enjoyed this one. i love this puerh a lot.

keychange 11 years ago

It’s your part-tea and you can steep how you want to, steep how you want to!!

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Yay for ME tea nights, so proud of you :-)
Dark and choco, yum, yum!!

MissB 11 years ago

Wow, I tried this the other night and got it wrong. I’ll definitely try it again with longer steep parameters.

Kamyria 11 years ago

Darn right you can do what you want! :D

Cold steeping pu’erh, ah? I have to try that.

Cavocorax 11 years ago

That sounds really amazing.
I will TRY to steep mine that long but I gotta say 4 minutes, and NINE minutes makes me a little nervous. I’m a “followe the vendors instructions, you noob” sorat gal. Especially with this. It’s my FIRST/ONLY Mandala tea!

Dexter 11 years ago

It’s my par-tea and I did what I wanted. :)) It turned out great.
Sorry you didn’t enjoy it MissB – it doesn’t get nasty as you steep it longer, it just gets deeper and more chocolate. I highly recommend a long steep. I was VERY nervous too, but after trying the 4 minute steep, I knew you could not hurt it. I will do 8 or 9 minutes first steep next time.

Kamyria I didn’t believe the cold steep pu’erh either, and then I tried it. I quite often western steep leaves a couple of times, then toss them in the fridge for 16ish hours. Can’t explain it, it’s a different experience – very refreshing, you should try it once….

Dexter 11 years ago

Cavocorax – if you want to follow vendors instructions, then you go right ahead. It’s your tea, don’t let me talk you out of your comfort zone. First/only Mandala? You are starting with a good one….

Sil 11 years ago

I twisted her rubber arm into ordering SOMETHING, ANYTHING from mandala when I placed my order lol

pyarkaaloo 11 years ago

omg yay!! u just put the seal of approval on this one for me…it’s on my to-try list from Mandala…it sounded delicious to begin with, although i was worried it might have a damp,earthy pu’erh quality. but if this is anything like you say, i simply must give it a go!

Dexter 11 years ago

Good job Sil – “something – anything” is pretty much correct when it comes to Mandala – it’s all good.

pyarkaaloo – but I like the “damp,earthy pu’erh quality” This has a little of that – it is a pu’erh, but it’s more in the background adding depth to the chocolate rather than hitting you in the face. I love all Mandala pu’erh. Their Silver Buds are really mild – more of a white tea with a hint of pu’erh. Noble Mark is just fantastic, but more traditional pu’erh. Wild Monk is the best sheng I’ve ever drank – pretty much what Sil said – anything from Mandala is a good choice….

Dexter 11 years ago

Does restocking favorites count as breaking hiatus?

pyarkaaloo 11 years ago

thanks for the clarification…this sounds like a nice pu’erh! i think i’ll be happy with this as long as it isn’t a predominantly ‘mossy/earth’ kind of flavor, although one never knows…if i try enough pu’erh cakes i may find one that i love! or i may develop my palate.. the cold steeping sounds delicious!

Cavocorax 11 years ago

Yeah, I’m really happy Sil was able to do talk me into it! It was difficult because it was Black Friday and I’d already allocated most of my budget to Butiki and DTT. But ONE tea from Mandala… OK YES.

There will be more from them in the future. I still have to get past them being fancy in my head and just start drinking!

And I can experiment now! It’s just the first steep that I don’t like to mess with on the assumption that the vender knows what’s best. :P

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Does.not.count.

Dexter 11 years ago

Cavocorax This is a video of Garret giving you permission to play with your tea. He has a very open, whatever you like is correct for you attitude…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUt6kt00mpo&feature=youtube_gdata

graceatblb 11 years ago

I love steeping Special Dark for extreme amounts of time. Unlike with most teas, this one improves on a longer steep. The last time I had Special Dark I steeped it for 15 minutes and added a touch of cream. Heaven.

Garret does have a very laissez-faire approach to tea. Which I really appreciate. It eliminates the guilt when I, inevitably, break the rules.

Garret 11 years ago

Do as you like :) Whenever I do tea classes, I give people basic parameters for brewing and leave the rest up to them. I let people know that if they dig a green tea with boiling water, that’s cool, that’s how they should have it. I do use a little disclaimer here, though, and tell them that if they are serving tea to guests that it might be a good idea to go to more “traditional” way of brewing it :)

ifjuly 11 years ago

Yay! I love this one. And I love that someone was awesome and reminded you you should not get overwhelmed with sampling and take some time out for whatever you want to drink. Definitely.

ifjuly 11 years ago

And so agree, it’s the most intensely chocolate tea I’ve tasted.

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100

My oregano bush is in bloom, and like every year, it hosts a bumble bee party. So cute to watch them working their little butts off.

Thank you bees for all your hard work…because of you, my oregano looks like a micro forest!!

I had Sleeping Bear in the middle of the afternoon. I usually have it at night. But it was raining and this tea reminds me how rain tastes in my forest, so it was the perfect companion.

I’m on a “monthly subscription” for this tea…meaning, I buy it once a month cause it’s that good and I get to have the newest harvest every time.

Out of the three different harvests I have tried so far, this one is the best. It’s a little more piney than the others, and the jasmine is just perfect. The scent is therapeutic, it elevates me…I feel like I’m resting on a little cloud made of jasmine blossoms and soft pine needles.

So good that I re-steep it. Yes, cause Whispering Pines has made a re-steeper out of me!

Show 19 previous comments...
Cameron B. 11 years ago

Teehee bumble bee party! http://tinyurl.com/n95df9w

Stephanie 11 years ago

We had two big fat fuzzy bumble bees wrestling inside an okra flower at my house yesterday, too funny!

Cameron B. 11 years ago

I would imagine bumble bee wrestling to be similar to sumo… Lol!

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Lol, most of them are actually regular working bees, but I like saying Bumble Bee, makes me happy :-)

Lol, Cameron, that pic is cute!

Stephanie, i think Cameron is right, two big fat bumble bees fighting together = sumo bee wrestling :-)

Stephanie 11 years ago

I usually think of the small “regular” bees as honey bees, and the extra large extra fuzzy variety as bumblebees!

They were totally sumo wrestling, LOL

KiwiDelight 11 years ago

Awwwwwww I love bumblebees! I got stung by one when I was two because I tried to pet it. Surprisingly not traumatized xD

Sami Kelsh 11 years ago

Yeah, re-steepage!!!

Also, sumo wrestling bumbly bees is the cutest image ever.

SarsyPie 11 years ago

I’m totally crashing that bumblebee party!!!!!

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Haha! KiwiDelight, kudos for petting a bee, so cute!

Sami, except when I do gongfu sessions, I was never much of a re-steeper…now, with those WP teas, it just breaks my heart to throw them out so I can’t help re-steep most of them!

Sars, I was hoping you’d crash ;-)

mj 11 years ago

Bees are so awesome! I went to an insect behavior lecture a couple of months ago (just for fun) and learned some about them. Did you know that all the bees you see outside the hive are female? They are the workers and soldiers. The males stay in the hive and care for the larvae. Fun facts :)

KiwiDelight 11 years ago

YOU GUYS if you like bees, you need to read this novel.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/25/books/review/the-bees-by-laline-paull.html?_r=0

SarsyPie 11 years ago

TTF: You know I can’t resist a party!!!!!

MzPriss 11 years ago

Suddenly The Tea Hobbit has turned us into re-steepers LTF

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

I’ve learned here on Steepster that resistance is futile Sars…

MzPriss…let’s face it. We are total re-steepers. But only with tea hobbit’s teas… I still dump my other used tea leaves with no guilt after one steep!

MzPriss 11 years ago

The two I actually res-steep are GO and this one. I wih I had some right now. But it’s not long until the 1st. The Tea Hobbit is also lightning shipper

SarsyPie 11 years ago

The firsssst…. it nearsssss…. Need teasssssss :p

hippiechick 42 11 years ago

Where do you get your “subscription” for this tea?

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Lol, it’s a joke hippiechick, I said that cause I buy it every month, just can’t live without it, and I easily go through my 2oz within 30 days :-)

hippiechick 42 11 years ago

Oh ok I was going to order some, due to your amazing review, but it is out of stock. :(

Whispering Pines Tea Company 11 years ago

This tea is available in small quantities starting on the first day of each month :-)

Usually sells out pretty quickly, so keep an eye out for it!

hippiechick 42 11 years ago

Thanks I will!

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87

It a rainy day…non stop showers. I know it’s not recommended, but I can’t help it, I went for a swim, it was so invigorating! But now I am freezing to death, water is still at a chilling 67F!!!

I thought S’mores would make me feel warm and cozy inside.

So, you know when I have a new favourite teaware, that’s all I can talk about…sorry if I’m being annoying with…my new 24oz latte mug!!!

I don’t even drink milk, I know…but I like a big cup sometimes! I also love the new vegetal milks I have discovered lately and have been experimenting with them. My newfound love: quinoa milk. So creamy and nutty, without any of the dairy cow milk taste I dislike so much, especially in hot beverages.

So why not try S’mores as a latte and make it a little “chai-esque”?

It’s a hit. Oh, yum. That smoke against the nuttiness of the milk makes it really s’mores graham cookie like!

It’s already the end though, sad face, I’m all out now :-(

On to the repurchasing list it goes!

Oh, and I feel all warmed up now :-)

Show 31 previous comments...
Cheri 11 years ago

What mug is this new mug? pictures &/or link?

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Haha! Cheri, don’t we like pictures? Look at my post this morning in the what did you get in the mail thread. In the last link, you’ll see my new teaware. “the mug” is in the middle of the pic, it’s very plain looking but I love the shape and size!! And the best part was the discounted price: $7,50!!!

http://steepster.com/discuss/4717-official-star-what-did-you-get-in-the-mail-today-star-thread?page=193

Cameron B. 11 years ago

It’s the new fairy jacuzzi mug! Lol. This tea is at the top of my list for my Whispering Pines order…

mj 11 years ago

I actually really love swimming in the rain :-). When I was little, my mom used to have to chase me out of the pool once it started thundering. Obviously, I wasn’t too bright lol

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Oh, a fairy jacuzzi, me like that :-)
Hope you will like this one cameron, it truly is a different take on s’mores…I thought I wouldn’t like it cause of the smoke but it turns out the smoke is the reason I like it!

Cheri 11 years ago

I love huge mugs. But now I’m also loving teeny tiny cups.

Cameron B. 11 years ago

I just tried their Campfire Blend, which was very smokey, and I liked it a lot. My first smokey tea. :P So I think I would really enjoy this one. :D

Cavocorax 11 years ago

Oooh now I sorta wish I’d grabbed one too, but cupboard space is so limited. :| I ended up getting rid of two mugs to fit my new tentacle mug!

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Lol, mj, I’m still lacking in the bright department apparently :-0
Seriously though, it wasn’t thundering, so I took a chance!

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Cheri, I so love tiny cups but only for gungfu sessions…

Cameron, yes I remember reading your post, I didn’t have campfire blend yet, so I can’t compare, but I’m assuming Brenden is using the same Lapsang in both blends, so yes, you’d probably like it then :-)

Cavo, I too will have to get rid of some mugs, no room for the new teaware…but that’s ok, I like to gift people with them. The tentacle mug is awesome :-)

Whispering Pines Tea Company 11 years ago

Ohhh man…one of my favorite things: Sitting outside in the fall when it’s just a tad too chilly to not have tea, sipping on a heavy mug of strong yunnan black tea or lapsang :)

albertocanfly 11 years ago

Huge mugs of giant proportions really are awesome! It’s like a never ending cup of happiness^.^

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

I think early fall is my favourite part of the year…everything is perfect, no more mosquitos, fresh air but not too cold, colours changing…ok, but lets have a summer before we start talking about autumn :-)

Whispering Pines Tea Company 11 years ago

^That

SarsyPie 11 years ago

Quinoa milk???? I want that.

My current fave is the almond/coconut blend. But I am determined to find some quinoa milk now!

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Sarsonator, I found it last week at my local health food store. They even have sunflower seed milk, which is also very nutty.

But I too adore the almond/coconut milk, but with all these new choices, it’s nice to be able change things up a little :-)

Whispering Pines Tea Company 11 years ago

The almond coconut is also my favorite :)

No health food stores anywhere near me…guess I just have to use the forest! :D

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Oh, I’m sure you can find a way to make some kind of extra special mushroom/bark forest milk :-)

SarsyPie 11 years ago

Hahahaha!!! Mushroom bark forest milk??? I want that!

SarsyPie 11 years ago

What about a Mushroom bark forest tea? It could be called: Autumn Fungus or Midnight Morel Madness. LOL

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

:-) Oh, oh, I think we’re on to something!!!

Whispering Pines Tea Company 11 years ago

Funny you should mention that…I had chaga-infused rice milk last week :)

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Did you really? Isn’t that the mushroom that grows on tree bark? It’s actually edible?
See, you did make your own bark forest milk ;-)

mj 11 years ago

If the zombie apocalypse happens, it seems like Brendan would be an extremely useful guy to have around with his living-off-the-land-eating-tree-mushroom skills.

SarsyPie 11 years ago

Maybe we should start a Zombie Apocalypse Tea survival group. I garden, forage for wild food, and make beer & wine. Brenden lives off the land and eats tree mushrooms. What else have we got? LOL

mj 11 years ago

I’m in for the survival group. I’ll be bringing my friend and neighbor because she is super outdoorsy (like 2 week long camping trip outdoorsy) and has all the equipment. I’ve also already claimed her as one my zombie survival teammates. I bring to the table relatively few useful practical skills, except sailing a boat, swimming well, cooking decently, fishing, sewing, crocheting, and knitting. All my other skills are lab-related.

mj 11 years ago

I should add that I’m not a complete nut job. I own The Walking Dead board game. My friends and I discuss silly hypotheticals while we play haha

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Oh, i can negotiate with the wild life, I have Dr, Doolittle skills, no wild critter can resist me, so we can be safe from bears, wolves and coyotes. In fact, we can make them our friends and have them fight the zombies for us :-) Ducks seem to particularly like me, so we could have fresh duck eggs every morning and i could make us some mean omelet as breakefast. Also, I can make fire. Just sayin…

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Lol, mj, your crocheting, sewing and knitting skills will be very helpful, you could create decent Pocahontas outfits, I always wanted to of wear one of those :-)

mj 11 years ago

I could probably handle Pocahontas outfits lol. Also, I may or may not have been Tiger Lily from Peter Pan for Halloween for three consecutive years as a kid. So I’ve got a basic idea of the pattern…

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Hahaha! “may or may not have been..”

Whispering Pines Tea Company 11 years ago

Yep, Chaga is 100% edible. Well, with water or alcohol extraction. It’s considered “the mushroom of immortality” and is used extensively in Chinese medicine. It goes by the name Bai Hua Rong I believe in Chinese medicine, and is considered the king of all healing herbs. Basically if you drink chaga tea every day, you’ll stay at a VERY low risk or be totally immune to cancer cells, your immune system will be godly, and your overall health will increase dramatically. I’m a huge believer in the stuff. I drink it daily along with reishi and turkey tail mushrooms, too. Goes beautifully boiled with some elderberries and black tea.

Mandy 11 years ago

I don’t like mushrooms for texture reasons, but I wonder how I’d feel about a mushroom tea. Hmm..

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94

First Tasting…from a sample I received with my last Verdant order. (Prior to my full cake purchase arriving.)

Intro
I didn’t realize at first that the sample I received with my order was the same as the 07 cake I later purchased. The label was marked 06 instead of 07.
I thought I had received one of those extra’s that are never going up on the Verdant site, or a future tea that might be released in a few weeks. You never know with tea, things are always changing.

Tasting at H.L.
So I took my little sample to Happy Lucky’s to taste with my tea friends, Sam and Joe, and my granddaughter Schey.
Joe set up a little Gaiwan and 4 cups, then rotated through 7 short steepings.
From the beginning I didn’t think he used enough leaf and the steep time was instant, but he thought otherwise.
The first steeping was tongue numbing, and tasted ashy. The smell was sweet tobacco. The Pu’er was never bitter or harsh, just ashy tasting and vegital.

That didn’t concern me, I knew how a first steeping was so often unreliable in judging what future steepings would taste like.

It took 3 additional steepings for the ash and tobacco taste to subside, finally allowing a lighter, green tea flavor to emerge with a slight astringency.

I determined then to spend time at home brewing this Pu’er ‘MY WAY’. Something wasn’t right.

Curious about my sample, I sent David Duckler an e-mail. He said the handwritten sample said ’06 but was really the 2007 Fuhai Sheng. Aha!

Now I knew how to brew!

Prep
I decided to do a Western Style brewing to get a larger amount of tea all at once to envelop myself in the aroma and flavor. I also wanted to use lots of leaf.

I used SPRING WATER!!! (I do believe this made a big difference)

Steep time….1 minute! 8 oz water 5 grams or so leaf

The aroma of the leaves was lightly vegital with a background scent of Grammer School paste.

The color remained pale yellow.

The scent of the tea changed in such a peculiar way. I smelled sweet tobacco in the beginning then sweet spiced pickle, cinnamon, savory and sweet green tea.

Second Tasting Western Style
With the very first sip I was stunned at how instantly the tea numbed my tongue. Not just the tip but under the tongue.
The flavor was an ash-vegital taste that wasn’t too salty. The Pu’er was never bitter or harsh and had a natural sweetness.
I had the sensation of cream without a thick mouth-feel.
As the tea cooled just slightly there was a growing presence of cinnamon.
I was pleased that my choice to brew Western Style using more leaf and longer steep time had worked out so well!

The second steep was like the first and the third was less ashy, dryer and a weaker cup.
I needed to make an adjustment!

At Stepping #4, I changed the time to 1 minute 45 seconds. Perfect!

Always the experimenter, and following a hunch…I took a small break, took a bite of chicken and came back to my tea (just seconds away to keep the tea hot).

By taking that break, I discovered the Pu’er’s Savory personality! Sipping the Pu’er was really good with my light chicken dish in a way that an excellent light savory broth would be.
I could still feel a bit of tingle, that numbing feeling in my mouth that was kind of cool and a green plantain starchy flavor that is a little sweet as it begins to ripen with a hint of cinnamon (super light). (The cinnamon was sometimes only on the nose)

Conclusions
For my first encounters with this Pu’er, I didn’t taste apricot or nut.
The environment often changes what you taste from one day to another too. This is why I seldom eat before tasting tea.
Perhaps in the future my experience will deepen and I will taste many things as the Pu’er itself changes.

My recommendation is to use the best water, don’t skimp on leaf and steep long enough to get good flavor. If at first you don’t succeed try again. I bought a cake and a sample size to play with. Sheng is not like Shu Puerh. This is not earthy, fishy or mushroom tasting.

Sheng are a whole different adventure in the world of Pu’er and I for one have a lot to learn.

Show 14 previous comments...
TeaBrat 13 years ago

nice, I ordered one of these too. ;)

Terri HarpLady 13 years ago

I ordered the sample, which arrived today, but did not order a full cake (although I almost talked myself into it when there was only one left…). I’m looking forward to giving it a try!

Mrnixonpants 13 years ago

Well, today’s the day. I’m going to that tea bar to see what I think. Wish me luck – hopefully I’ll be making friends! =)

Bonnie 13 years ago

Good Luck…have fun…at least we get a story out of you!!!

Mrnixonpants 13 years ago

Okay it was awesome! I’m so glad I went. It was strange because it’s run out of an upstairs apartment so going in you feel like you’re going through someone’s house you don’t know, but once we got inside there was a little bar set up and a friendly guy behind the bar serving gongfu tea. He was very informative and the tea was great! There were 2 other people that were there and they were very friendlly as well. It was so much fun to drink tea with other people who actually enjoy tea and not people I’m forcing to drink tea who have no clue what I’m trying to do when replicating gongfu with stuff in my kitchen lol!! Yeah…I think I’ll make it a regular friday thing. So happy I read your reviews and decided to check my area again because they defintiely were not there before!! =)

Bonnie 13 years ago

Hooray!!! Probably this will be your tea bar or pub! As you get to know people you might even share samples. I take tea to drink with my servers and they give me tea sometimes too or a free pot of tea. You learn so much more that way. Good for you!

Mrnixonpants 13 years ago

I’m so excited I even got to buy some tea from the tea farm he worked on over the summer in Hawaii. I can’t wait to go again next Friday and I feel like he can really teach me a lot about puer because he loves it and I don’t know much about it, so I am hesitant to include it in my online orders. Yay tea friends! Woohoo!

Terri HarpLady 13 years ago

Yay, Mrnixonpants!! Sounds like an awesome experience!

Bonnie 13 years ago

Woo Hoo indeed!

ashmanra 13 years ago

Awesome! I wish there was a place like that around here – I would be all over it.

Bonnie 13 years ago

Sunday I was invited to a Sunday google+ tea chat group that meets at 3pm at a local shop. I was recommended by Eric at Happy Lucky’s…still another benefit of visiting places LIVE and seeking them out!. The group sips tea and blogs about it on google+ just for about an hour.

Terri HarpLady 13 years ago

Well, that’s cool! Fun with tea drinkers!

Bonnie 13 years ago

Still, I’d rather be on a cruise ship riding around with all you guys sippin…

tperez 13 years ago

Hehe, that would be awesome!
Teatanic: The unsinkable tea convention… :D

Thomas Smith 13 years ago

About how much leaf was used in the gaiwan and was there a rinse? When I read you used more leaf at 5g/8oz I kinda choked a little on the bran flakes I was eating, hahaha. I always start around 4g/100mL with both sheng and shu, though I vary the time and temp between ’em.

Bonnie 13 years ago

Thomas S- Well, the first time (using a Gaiwan) was about 2g in 4oz water for about 20-30 seconds and weak (remember I said I told the guy he needed more leaf) so I knew that going to 5g in 8oz water would be fine. I did 1 rinse. It was the time that mattered. I increased the time to about 1 minute right off.
(Verdant suggests 4g for 8oz water starting at 30 seconds for Western Style then increasing to 1 minute)

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100
drank Laoshan White by Verdant Tea
516 tasting notes

Today was such a dramatic day I… left my job.
Wow.
I was shaking when I got home – it really didn’t sink in. And now? I’m elated! (Don’t worry folks, I have another temp job lined up)

And I reeeeally needed a calm down tea. But also a super special one! And so, out pops my best friend, Laoshan White. Thanks LW, for seeing me through this crazy time!

Show 20 previous comments...
Hesper June 13 years ago

Wow! Congrats!
It feels so empowering to take charge of your own life doesn’t it!?
Very glad you had this tea to come home to and also glad you have some work lined up already (gotta be able to buy tea, right!)

Mercuryhime 13 years ago

Good for you! Sounds like it wasn’t a good environment to work in from what you’ve been writing. It was brave of you to get out before things got worse. Hurrah!

TeaBrat 13 years ago

I hope you find something better soon…

Daisy Chubb 13 years ago

Thank you! My coworker and I honestly feel like we barely dodged a bullet. We got out at the exact right time, by the skin of our teeth! So many analogies – and although the hunt is still on for a permanent job, the temp jobs keep the bills paid and the tea bought b^_^

Daddyselephant 13 years ago

Congrats!!! hugs and luff

Bonnie 13 years ago

Amazing! Love your positive attitude! This is the right tea for the occasion! Ain’t nothin gettin you down…!!!!!

TeaEqualsBliss 13 years ago

thinking of you!

Dylan Oxford 13 years ago

Totally their loss. Good luck :)

Invader Zim 13 years ago

Hope you find a better place. Definitely stay positive!

Michelle 13 years ago

Wow! I hope your new job is better than your old one, and I hope you find a permanent one you love! ♥

tigress_al 13 years ago

Good for you! Good luck in your next job

Missy 13 years ago

Good luck! :)

Will Work For Tea 13 years ago

I’ve done that after being on the (temp) job for only 4 days. Sometimes you just have to stand up for yourself. It’s scary, but totally liberating! Just know that something better will come along, with better pay! :)

Spoonvonstup 13 years ago

Good luck!!!!

Ninavampi 13 years ago

Congrats! There are few things worse than having a job you don’t like! So I hope your new one is 1000 times more enjoyable!! :)

Jim Marks 13 years ago

Mabrouk !!!

I am hoping to do the same, soon, and I cannot wait for that feeling.

Daisy Chubb 13 years ago

Wow! Thank you for your kind words everyone!!!
I encourage you all to take hold of your life and find happiness and liberation! And of course, share on Steepster so we can all celebrate together :D

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – you are the best community evar!

Babble 13 years ago

Good luck! Glad you’ve got something else lined up.

Helena 13 years ago

You’ll get a better job and be much happier hopefully it will also have better pay! :D Drink tea and be happy

CHAroma 13 years ago

Good luck on the job front. I hope the next one is a keeper!

Kittenna 13 years ago

Yikes! I got the impression that it perhaps wasn’t going wonderfully, but I see that may have been an understatement. I hope things improve with the next one!

Indigobloom 13 years ago

How did I miss this?! Sorry to hear things ended badly.
No matter, from what I gather, you like the job you’re in now and that’s awesome!! :)

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100
drank Eight Candles by Della Terra Teas
807 tasting notes

Simply the best tea from Della Terra Teas to date.
I pray that this is not a seasonal only tea.
If it is going to be seasonal only then I need to really REALLY stock up as this I am in love with.
This is THE most marshmallowy tea I have ever tasted. Yet not just marshmallow but caramel marshmallow!
Full review will be posted on http://sororiteasisters.com/
but for now – GET SOME before I get it all!

Show 18 previous comments...
Scatterbrain 13 years ago

This sounds great.

CupofTree 13 years ago

Omg want.

Azzrian 13 years ago

Seriously …. its SO good – Steep two is really nice as well. I doubt I would get a third steep that is very noteworthy BUT steep two is still rockin that marshmallow flavor!

Denise @ Nature's Tea Leaf 13 years ago

Looking forward to the full review!

softrevolution 13 years ago

Eeeee can’t wait to try this one! MARSHMALLOW! Looking forward to your Sororitea Sisters review as well :)

Azzrian 13 years ago

Thank you both!

Ysaurella 13 years ago

the name of the tea itself sounds really magic !

Ysaurella 13 years ago

just tell me Azzrian, is this Della terra teas different from the DT teas with marshmallows ? I mean do we taste the tea base in this tea ?

Azzrian 13 years ago

Ysaurella – I do not like DT base. Nor do I like how sometimes with some of their teas their sweetener or flavorings leave this oily coating on the top of the cup. To me, there is no comparison between the two – Della Terra is the clear winner. Now there are a FEW DT’s that I love but only a few.

Azzrian 13 years ago

Oh and I am sorry I understand your question more now – yes you can still taste the black tea base – the flavors are strong mind you but they don’t cover the taste entirely of the base.

Azzrian 13 years ago

Also just so you know – there was no problem at all with how you stated your question – it was quite clear – I am just feeling a little tired today so did not read it completely before answering :)

Rachel Sincere 13 years ago

I LOVE marshmallowy teas! Yikes!

Ysaurella 13 years ago

no problem Azzrian, however I think I do not like DT tea base (I tasted only 4 but have the same results each time) :)
Did you manage to taste Pleine Lune ?

Azzrian 13 years ago

Unfortunately I have not had the pleasure yet. I will eventually get to though.
I wonder how difficult it would be for us to do a trade? I have never shipping anything to Paris before!

Ysaurella 13 years ago

I send you a PM

Azzrian 13 years ago

:) great thanks.

Kittenna 13 years ago

Damn! I didn’t order this one in my Try Me packs :(

Sare 13 years ago

this sounds good!

zacherywolf7 12 years ago

how do you steep this?

GiggleGoddess 12 years ago

Is this better then Love in a Cup? The only thing different is there aren’t any sprinkles…

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Mmmm, having a cup right now. Recently, I have been on this kick looking for probiotics and fermented foods. I have a few food intolerances (sorbitol & fructose and maybe a few others too that I haven’t been tested for yet) and have been reading about adding good bacteria to help get rid of those intolerances. I plan on doing a fast at some point as well. I took this puerh course that talked about all the positive bacteria in puerh and showed us what it looked like and the breakdown of the bacteria. A study done in China had claimed that these bacteria could survive the hot water and stomach acid. Whether this is true or not, I’ll take any good bacteria I can get.

The smell of this tea is a strong sweet chestnut. There is also something almost sour in the aroma of the tea. When I sip it the first thing I notice is roasted chestnuts. I’m also getting some sour dough, tabaco, and toasted rice notes. The taste remains long after the sip and becomes drying though in a different way than most teas that are astringent and almost sticks to your mouth. This tea is different than any other tea I have tried but its so delicious. It reminds me a little bit of coffee, though I am certainly no expert on coffee, but it is much gentler.

I was very excited when I first tasted this puerh. I had never seen a Japanese puerh before. After a bit of research, I found out that this is a relatively new type of tea. There are other Japanese fermented teas but I have not been able to find anything that is made in a similar way.

Show 14 previous comments...
Geoffrey Norman 13 years ago

This sounds amazing.

Butiki Teas 13 years ago

Geoffrey-Its so tasty and different.

Donna A 13 years ago

Looking forward to trying this!

TeaBrat 13 years ago

sounds interesting!

Indigobloom 13 years ago

I have intolerances as well. Good to know about the pu-erh, thanks for sharing! love learning about stuff like this :)

Lynxiebrat 13 years ago

That does sound interesting….think I’ll add it to my shopping list.

Auggy 13 years ago

Okay, I’m intrigued!

Butiki Teas 13 years ago

Indigobloom-I thought that was interesting too. I’m still doing more research on it. I will have to share anything new I find.

Indigobloom 13 years ago

The tea talk I was at the other day mentioned that Yunnan tea is most suited for fermentation because of the genetic structure, and that people have tried to do the same with other regional teas. I wonder how they managed it!! neato!

Ashley Bain 13 years ago

That is very interesting about puerh’s positive bacteria! I have intestinal issues in my family so I know I need to start loading up on more good bacteria and eating better. I also want to start probiotics but I don’t know where to start there’s so many choices out there. I know there’s some in my raw prenatal vitamin but I’ve always thought the refrigerated kind were more effective.

Butiki Teas 13 years ago

From what I under the refrigerated kind are the best and you will want to look for supplements that contain multiple strains and add up to at least 7 billion I believe. The good ones are expensive but effective. Also, look into fermented foods. They have been great for me and are pretty tasty.

Lynxiebrat 13 years ago

Remember to ask your doctor and maybe a dietician about probiotics….just to be on the safe side.

IllBeMother221B 13 years ago

Yeah always ask a doctor. Mine suggested getting one that was refrigerated and had as many billions of cultures as I could find. I bought two…one a chewable and the other a pill (one for home and one for work) both have over 17 billion in them.

Lynxiebrat 13 years ago

How have those been working out?

IllBeMother221B 13 years ago

Pretty well. I typically take the probiotic pill in the morning at home…then take the antibiotic two hours o so later. Take another pro around lunch time and my anti pill after dinner. I have Lyme Disease so I’m trying to do all that I can to get better.

Indigobloom 13 years ago

Butiki, thanks I look forward to seeing what you find!

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92
drank Sunrise Sensation by sTEAp Shoppe
676 tasting notes

I’m not a Cyber-toothed -tiger! (Cyber Monday in the U.S.A.!)

I’ve been in my pink polka-dot jammiesALL DAY’ because I don’t feel well. Over these jammies, I’ve wrapped myself in a red plaid shawl …and I have red fuzzy socks on my feet. When My body aches I drink tea, go to sleep…drink tea…come here and ’I’m Thankful’ that ya’ll can’t see me!

I can’t afford all the sales that are out there today, sorry to say. Maybe next year I’ll be ready for them. We’ll see. I still have lots of tea to drink in my cupboard and some samples from sTEAp Shoppe to review!

This little tea had a curious combo of ingredients. I couldn’t imagine the tea taste. Sometimes, I have an idea of what I’m about to taste. The ones I can’t imagine can be a disaster if the ingredients are weird.
None of the ingredients in this tea were unknown to me, just never imagined together in a tea. Especially curious to me was the Lingonberry which is sweet/tarte little seed-like berries mixed with Black Tea.

Brew Time:
I set the brew time as suggested (2 minutes). My later comment to Janet at sTEAp Shoppe was that I liked a little longer steep (2.5 to 3 minutes) and a 3 minute second steep worked well also.

Taste:
I didn’t expect this tea to taste fantastic. Lack of respect on my part. I should know better!

At first, before the fruit flavors developed in the black tea, it tasted like yummy Black Tea with Vanilla.
Then, with a little longer steeping…the Honey flavor developed and a little Lingonberry, which was so light, popped up in the background.

Goodness…this tea was so full of rich, layered flavors that it caught me off guard.

Even though there are Maple Sugar Crystals in the tea, you don’t taste Maple. What you taste is Vanilla Honey woven with a Caramel Trio of Black Tea’s and a subtle hint of Lingonberry (like Jam).

This was like having a European layered pastry. A waffle!

So, good. FYI, BTW …(I sweetened my dessert waffle tea!)

Show 17 previous comments...
Ysaurella 13 years ago

hope you’ll get better soon Bonnie – I am wrapped in a red fleece plaid every evening …you’ll lend me your red socks one day :)

Bonnie 13 years ago

But Ysaurella, your red fleece plaid is in France which makes it ‘haute couture’ and mine is in the U.S. and is ‘haute Macy’s’!

Ysaurella 13 years ago

it is a Spanish one from casa shop ;)

TheTeaFairy 13 years ago

Oh Bonnie, what a vision you must be :-) One can only feel better wearing pink polka-dot jammies!

Bonnie 13 years ago

Unless it’s KS or Mrmopar or Roughage…but one can never tell.

TheTeaFairy 13 years ago

Oh, never underestimate men’s secret wishes!!

BoxerMama 13 years ago

LOL! Loving this banter!

Bonnie 13 years ago

MAN UP! WHICH ONE HAS PINK POLKA DOT JAMMIES! (You know this is the end of sample/swaps from these guys!)

TheTeaFairy 13 years ago

(Hush, Hush, they don’t know we know about their little secret…)

mrmopar 13 years ago

Haha I got a pair of fuzzy red slippers…story later..bonnie you will get a kick from this story!

Bonnie 13 years ago

Knew it!

Indigobloom 13 years ago

Feel better soon Bonnie!!

Bonnie 13 years ago

Sanks u bloomer!

Indigobloom 13 years ago

Yousa most welcome! (JarJar Binks anyone?

Nik 13 years ago

Aww, I hope you’re feeling better already, Bonnie! No pink polka-dots here, but I love animated characters and especially anything Cookie Monster (as some of you may already know). Currently I’m wearing my Grinch pyjamas and listening to holiday music. =)

Plunkybug 12 years ago

How did you get the text to change colours in this note?

Bonnie 12 years ago

There’s a page somewhere that explains lots of tricks. Can’t remember.

Sil 12 years ago

heather – it was on the first page or so of the discussion threads if you still haven’t found it…

Plunkybug 12 years ago

Thanks!

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100

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Thank you Invader Zim for this wonderful tea gift sample!

I saved this ‘Experimental Pressing Sample’ that Invader Zim shared with me from her Tea Club offering for tonight, New Year’s Eve!
(If I saved every tea to drink on special occasions that I’ve received from friends here on Steepster, each day would have to be a Holiday!)

Steepster people are the BEST!

The little cube of pressed Pu’er is beautiful. It looks like a jewel. You really can’t tell from the picture, but there’s a sheen…a brilliance that I’ve never seen before as though delicate silk threads are woven into the leaves.

My instructions were to use half the small square jewel, boiling water…1 rinse and then steep 6-8 seconds in 4 oz. water multiple times.

The aroma after the rinse was different than any Pu’er I’ve had before. It smelled like a light black tea with honey and malt and no aroma of typical earthy Pu’er. This was altogether peculiar.

The liquor was pure bright gold, which sparkled in my glass mug. (It’s worth it to have clear glass to see the color on this tea!)

My first sip was sweet and juicy, more like a light Nepalese Black Tea with a hint of Darjeeling than Pu’er. Brisk and clean, not astringent or dry.
How could this be a Pu-er? I’d never tasted anything like this before. No earthiness! No barn or stable, no mushrooms, cedar, bread or cake. What was this all about?

The second steep revealed raw sugar crystals…the kind I sometimes don’t put into my tea but just pop into my mouth like little candies with their faint taste of molasses. Smooth, clean and lovely tasting.

For the third pour I added a few seconds on the steep time and thought there was a fruity flavor, very faint but there. I couldn’t figure out what it was because every time I went… “That’s the one!”, it was too strong. Not peach, apricot or any other flavor, so…I changed my mind. I concluded that the taste was honey/agave. Mixed together agave reduces the honey taste which is what I imagined tasting this delicate tea.

As I was pouring the 4th steep into my glass, I was mumbling to myself…“What’s the fruit flavor in this tea, something is in there, I know it from somewhere?”

I was turning to sit at the table where I was making my notes…and the answer came to my mind.

“Ripe…yellow Golden Delicious Apple Pulp!” Just like that.

That was it! These sweet apples grew outside my bedroom window in California from age 7-20. A dwarf golden tree that spread out branches horizontally and had to be propped up on stakes because there were so many apples. I had eaten my share of sweet, warm fleshed goodness and this Pu-er tasted remarkably like them.
Other apples are tart and may have tart skins but not these apples. Everything is sweet like candy and juicy. The sunshine comes inside to such an extent that you can almost hand-squeeze the apple juice out of them. Nothing in the stores can compare with these lovelies.

(If you’re not familiar with this taste, it’s a bit like the flesh of a sweet Bosc Pear).

To be more certain, I added a few grains of sugar and the tea flavor didn’t turn into caramel. It stayed apple.

This is a unique and absolutely outstanding Pu’er!

Personal Note
The Best Thing to happen to me in many years has been finding the people here on Steepster!
I am amazed at how generous and caring everyone is!
If I were able to do it, I’d rent a resort and fly everyone in for
a vacation where we could all share tea and good food. You are the
best and I couldn’t be more proud or humbled to be a part of such
a place as this.

Thank you to the creators of Steepster!

With Great Affection for All of You, Happy New Year!

http://youtu.be/STqDowSbSTQ Auld Lang Syne on Bagpipes (What can I say, I’m a Scot)

Show 12 previous comments...
Sil 13 years ago

Thank you for this wonderful note Bonnie. :)

Hesper June 13 years ago

Happy New Year, Bonnie!

Bonnie 13 years ago

Gracias! Prospero Ano Nuevo!

CrowKettle 13 years ago

I love your personal note and couldn’t agree more. Happy New Year, Bonnie! :)

Indigobloom 13 years ago

apple pu-erh, sounds incredible!!
Happy New Year Bonnie. I love that you are one of the amazing people on Steepster!!

Bonnie 13 years ago

Shucks, too nice. Not just any apple, that specific kind. Do you get them in Canada? Thin skins, light yellow all over and taste like nectar? Juicy? Not tart at all.

Indigobloom 13 years ago

we have something similar here. reminds me of honey crisp

Kashyap 13 years ago

I am so intrigued…I missed this on the Verdant site and yet I’m so tickled you were able to find it an it inspired such a wonderful blushing set of words… I wish you the best in this new solar year and may the dragon change into the snake with equal fortune…

Bonnie 13 years ago

Kashyap, this was a special reserve tea club offering and a member of the club shared some of theirs with me. I wish you the best.

TheTeaFairy 13 years ago

Thank you for these heartfelt words Bonnie…I know I’m a little late on this one, but I also wish you and all the steepster community a Happy new year!
P.S. Your Steepsterites group vacation could be lots of fun! I’m thinking «tea bar resort», unlimited «drinks» included of course!

Invader Zim 13 years ago

I hope you had a great New Year’s Day Bonnie, and I hope you are enjoying all your tea gifts from everyone! I’m glad you liked this and I was happy to share it with you, that’s what Steepster is all about!

Bonnie 13 years ago

I even took a little bit to Happy Lucky’s to have Eric taste it because he’s such a guru who loves Pu-erh and a science teacher at the local Jr. College. He was intrigued by the sweet taste until I told him what the tea was and it made more sense. Such a fun experience.

Zeks 13 years ago

I have high hopes of Davind putting it on regular sale since he did double the amount of the sample “because buying directly from farmers turned out to be cheaper” I so hope to buy this on a regular basis…

Bonnie 13 years ago

Me too!

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drank Boston by Harney & Sons
2462 tasting notes

Okay all, I am getting ready to preach!

Three years ago this week I went for a mammogram. I was about a year late because I was too busy to get one and since I was the poster child for low risk factor I really didn’t need to go, did I now? There was no lump, no changes. But it came back abnormal.

A second one was ordered, then a biopsy, and finally on December 21st I received the official diagnosis. I had cancer. The cancer it was impossible for me to have because I had four kids, I breastfed them, and there was no family history of it.

How does this apply to tea?

This is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and Panera Bread sells a special bagel in the shape of a ribbon. It is cherry vanilla flavored and I miss it when they quit making them.

Today I ground some wheat and made my usual buttermilk bread loaf, but this time I added some vanilla, Craisins, and chopped walnuts to try to recreate the taste of the bagel I love but can only buy one month out of the year. This loaf of bread is already history. Writer’s Group finished all that was left after tea time today! I also made a homemade version of Panera’s Cheesecake Spread, which is just cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a hint of cinnamon. (I left out the crushed graham crackers.)

What would be more perfect to pair with it than Mike Harney’s masterful Boston Blend? Everyone went so nuts over this tea that I made three large pots just for group, and one at tea time earlier. One group member who is crazy about green teas and jasmine teas said it was her most favorite tea of all the ones she has ever had at my house…and she isn’t even a huge black tea fan!

This is an intimate, cozy up tea. A quiet steady friend tea. A comfort tea.

Now, if you are female, make sure you have had your mammogram. If you are male, pester the women in your life to get one. My husband prodded me to go, “just to be sure.” I am thankful.

Show 14 previous comments...
JustJames 12 years ago

in my opinion everyone EVERYONE needs to read this review and hit hit the like button. it’s important.

ashmanra, i am very glad you are okay. my mother is also a survivor.

ashmanra 12 years ago

Congratulations to your mom, JustJames! When I was diagnosed, my dear hubby was so rattled that when we went off he introduced me as “this is my wife who just got diagnosed with breast cancer!” At the car dealership, the receptionist called two other women to her desk and introduced them to me, saying they had all had cancer and were all survivors, and that I was going to be one, too. It was so encouraging.

JustJames 12 years ago

isn’t it strange and remarkable the places where people pull together when we need them? complete strangers, that share wisdom and become friends and supporters. these are the people that we didn’t know but that we never forget. i have a few of those too. xo

Angrboda 12 years ago

In Denmark we have a huge screening program for cervical cancer. All women are supposed to receive a letter encouraging them to have a smear test done when they are between I think 23 and 50-something. Recently it was discovered that due to a computer glitch at some point thousands of people had fallen out of the program and had been invited for many years. Quite a scandal over here. Last I heard there were 11 women who had applied for compensation. There’s a public screening program for breast cancer as well, but I can’t remember at what age that starts. I think around 40 or something.

keychange 12 years ago

What an incredible story. I am so relieved that it had a happy ending, and ama lso relieved that your husband prodded you to go. The realization that I could lose a loved one in an instant is never far from my mind (as gruesome as that sounds), and I’m glad that people are taking their health seriously.

tigress_al 12 years ago

Good for you, happy you are healthy now! And great job encouraging others!

Sil 12 years ago

Wonderful review and so happy to hear of the happy ending!

Stephanie 12 years ago

Thank you for sharing your story!

ashmanra 12 years ago

Thank you, all! It is so easy to get checked, and so important. Because mine was caught early, it greatly reduced the impact it had on my life. Please get checked out! :) maybe a bunch of female relatives should make it a yearly party! LOL! Get squished and then have a good time!

TeaKlutz 12 years ago

Preach!

Also, for women under 30, they don’t advise mammograms because of the radiation, but definitely keep on top of self-exams and have an ultrasound if there is cause for concern (I actually just had one – it’s benign, fortunately.) I’ve known grad students who have been diagnosed and gone through chemo.

ashmanra 12 years ago

Thank you for that reminder, self checks are vital and need to start early as well. If you have breasts, check them. A friend of mine who is a P.A. Had a clean mammo and five months later found a large lump – a fast growing, aggressive cancer. She is fine now, because she did her self checks. A student’s young grandmother told me she found a lump and wouldn’t go at first, and when she finally went she had stage four cancer. Check! Go! Do it!

yyz 12 years ago

True, I have a friend who got tested every year as her family has that gene focused on the French Canadian population that predisposes them to breast cancer. Her mother’s side of the family have lost a frightenly large number of women to it. Despite all this loss, her grandmother remains one of the singly most positive people I’ve met.

Terri HarpLady 12 years ago

Thanks for this post! My mom is also a survivor.
I like the ‘get squished party’ idea, as none of us enjoy these exams.

boychik 12 years ago

i scheduled my first one some weeks ago. Going on Monday

ashmanra 12 years ago

Great! and it really isn’t so bad, especially if you get the digital machines. The only one I really hated was two weeks after my first surgery they did one. OWOWOWOWOW! LOL! ,a inky because the plate was shoved into the incision under my arm. But other than that it has been fine. For the first few after the surgeries, and they do them more frequently then, I took ibuprofen before going and it really was no biggie.

boychik 12 years ago

Thank you for sharing you story. i really admire your positive attitude.

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Ahhhgg, so this Friday didn’t go so well. Everything that could have gone wrong did, including computer crashes and software lock outs and batches of tea ruined. One thing that happened was when I tried to log on to our company Facebook, I was locked out. It wouldn’t let me back in unless I converted to a business account. I knew this would not be good but did not think it would be as bad as it was. When I got back in, all comments and messages were erased. I tried to do a test post but the statistics showed that only one person read the post. Since they want us to pay everytime we post to reach people who were already our friends, this is just not really an option. I made another Facebook page for myself but will be posting only tea updates with maybe an occasional joke. Like before it will be mostly updates on new teas, contests, articles, and occasional reviews. I’m having a tough time finding some of our friends from before. Here is a link to the new page: https://www.facebook.com/stacy.lim.338. We will probably be doing a Facebook Contest soonish as well, to encourage some more sign ups. Luckily the rest of the weekend went fantastic! I went to see one of my favorite bands at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn then went to my first hipster wedding the next day. Fantastic location, it was on the rooftop right next to the Empire State Building.

This tea is fantastic! This rarely happens, but we went for the lower grade of tea from this estate. It is still a SFTGFOP, which is the top grade but it is very affordable and is even more flavorful than the more expensive tea. This year I didn’t get around to tasting 2nd flushes until much later than I should have. We tasted about 40 second flush teas all at once. This one really stood out and I would say that it is a Darjeeling for people who don’t like Darjeelings. It’s very malty, super buttery and has a delicious burned chocolate flavor and is nutty. There are light undertones of floral but they are hardly noticeable. This is a tea that I don’t mind drinking all day long. Yesterday I had 3 cups of it in a row and I’m drinking it now. My only issue with this tea is that it is very easy to oversteep but that can be remedied by adding more water. We will definitely be using this as a base tea for at least one flavored tea.

Show 33 previous comments...
Stephanie 12 years ago

Wow, Facebook sucks huh?

Butiki Teas 12 years ago

Yeah, wasn’t so happy about that and its a real time suck to try and find people.

Fuzzy_Peachkin 12 years ago

Ugh! Stupid facebook!

Andie 12 years ago

Hmm, so it costs money to have a business account/page? Personally, I don’t want to be “friends” with a company on facebook (as much as I love Butiki Teas and think you are awesome, Stacy), I would rather be able to ‘like’ a Butiki Teas page.. I’ll definitely subscribe to this one like I did the other one, but sadly it doesn’t let me comment on anything :(

Andie 12 years ago

Oh no, I can’t subscribe. You may have to enable that feature in your account settings :/

Ysaurella 12 years ago

this tea seems lovely ! hope to see a pic of it soon

Butiki Teas 12 years ago

Andie-I think I fixed it. Let me know if you can’t subscribe. It doesn’t let you comment as a subscriber, that stinks. Another possible option, is to friend us but not allow us to see what you post or comment on your page. I think that may be an option, it used to be but I’m not sure if it still is.

It doesn’t technically cost money to have a business page but if you want your ‘likes’ to see your posts you have to pay for that otherwise only a few people will see the post. I will probably still post on the other page but you probably won’t be able to see anything I post.

Butiki Teas 12 years ago

Ysaurella-I might take a quick pic while we are inspecting the tea and storing.

Ysaurella 12 years ago

great ! I love tea pics :)

Andie 12 years ago

Thanks- I was able to subscribe.

Butiki Teas 12 years ago

Andie-Great! :)

Ysaurella-I’m thinking tomorrow, we will probably link a picture. I can post it in this thread. It isn’t super impressive looking but its just a very tasty great value tea. It will be under $5 an ounce.

Butiki Teas 12 years ago

I just took a pic today since I was going to have another cup anyways, here it is: http://instagram.com/p/e5idHTlfIr/#

BrewTEAlly Sweet 12 years ago

i must have!!! curse you BROKE GIRL gods!

Plunkybug 12 years ago

What band did you see in Brooklyn? What part of Brooklyn were you in?

Butiki Teas 12 years ago

Heather, I went to see The Legendary Pink Dots. Here’s a song from them: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Szd_rVhsbuQ. I was in Williamsburg at the Knitting Factory. Before the show we went to Wild Ginger which is an amazing vegan pan Asian restaurant. We also hit up this tea bar which was mostly a bar with some tea and tea infused drinks. We end up in Brooklyn quite a bit.

Plunkybug 12 years ago

I’ve heard of The Legendary Pink Dots, actually, though I’m not terribly familiar with them. Hubby is since he used to do an 80’s (late 70’s-early 80’s punk/new wave. etc) radio show (slowly being digitized for podcasts). I looked up The Knitting Factory and it is quite far away from where I was in Brooklyn (with my brother, SILm, and niece). It’s a super big area, apparently. :P

Butiki Teas 12 years ago

Heather-How unusual. I think your the first person that has ever told me they heard of LPD when I bring them up. Sounds like a fun podcast show! Yep, Brooklyn is super big. :P

Plunkybug 12 years ago

I worked with a guy at a vegetarian place that liked them, iirc. I mainly know of the name. But when I hear it, I think of Wire, Throbbing Gristle, Cabaret Voltaire, Killing Joke and some of the early 80s pre-industrial phase….I’m not terribly versed with them though. The podcast is fun! I’m on some of them (I met hubby through the show) but mostly just referred to rather than on air.

http://www.crustyoldwave.com

)If you are interested..you can also get it through iTunes)

As for Brooklyn, I was in the Bay Ridge area southwest-ish (south of DUMBO).

Butiki Teas 12 years ago

I love all sorts of music but I do love me some Industrial. I typically go for 80s and early 90s but some 70s Throbbing Gristle is pretty sweet. I was lucky enough to catch an amazing Throbbing Gristle show (not so possible anymore since Peter Christopherson died). I caught Killing Joke once which was good but nothing spectacular. My favorites are Skinny Puppy and Coil though. I will definitely have to check out that podcast. Thanks for the link! :)

Butiki Teas 12 years ago

Also, what an interesting way to meet your hubby!

Plunkybug 12 years ago

I used to have a bit if industrial when I was younger. I had some skinny puppy…trying yo remember what it was. I know I had something with Dig It. I think that’s what it was. There was something else where the second half was really mellow and instrumental like. I had some nitzer ebb, front 242, thrill kill kult, die warzau, and meat beat manifesto. I kinda outgrew my industrial and goth phases, but there are still some tracks that bring me back when I hear them.

Butiki Teas 12 years ago

Ah Dig It, that’s from Mind: The Perpetual Intercourse. Skinny Puppy is touring in February of which I will be taking off of work to catch a few shows. Music is my obsession. It’s kind of weird but I don’t really grow out of music. I grew up on Pink Floyd and The Beatles and I still listen to them. I just seem to rotate between genres. I will listen to 70s-90s Industrial (new Industrial is horrid) for a while then move to classical then to 90s alternative then to experiential then to Reggae and dub then to metal, etc, etc until I come back to Industrial and then back around I go. Nice selection of music there Heather.

yyz 12 years ago

I’ve not really grown out of music either, I’ve just expanded and diversified maybe.. Though I’ve always loved most types of music. I’ve never seen Skinny Puppy, but I’ve seen Front Line Assembly many times. When I was in university one of the local bars had a strange but fun, goth, industrial, brit pop night that was pretty popular and was great to go to if all you wanted to do was just dance!

Butiki Teas 12 years ago

yyz-I’m the say way. I continue to enjoy more and more genres of music. I saw Front Line Assembly once. The show was really good but Bill Leeb was lip syncing. Not sure why but it was so obvious. Maybe he was sick or something? They played with Switch Blade Symphony which was pretty cool. Sounds like a fun club night. Skinny Puppy puts on very theatrical shows. It can be very mesmerizing to watch. Usually lots of props, some fake blood, background videos. They go all out.

yyz 12 years ago

I might of seen that same tour, they also played with Spahn Ranch. I’ve heard many amazing things about Skinny Puppy live, I would love to go.

Butiki Teas 12 years ago

Yes, they did play with Sphan Ranch. I couldn’t remember the third band. I really like Spahn Ranch live and have seen them a couple of times in the past. Well, February is your chance to catch them. It is so worth it. Here is link with the dates: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=743585525657201&set=o.2237915069&type=3&theater

yyz 12 years ago

Me to. Thanks for the link!

Butiki Teas 12 years ago

Your welcome! :)

I’ve been working on a Skinny Puppy inspired tea for some time. Originally it started out completely different but it is now an insane chocolate chilli chai (but still needs some work). I really wanted to call it Heaven’s Trash (since it is so colorful and just a little of everything) but the hubby vetoed that one. He said it didn’t sound appetizing. Boo. Then I was like what about Genocide Applied with Subtlety? I thought the chilli peppers would make that perfect. Nope, he vetoed that too. Still working on a name and the blend needs some more work too.

yyz 12 years ago

Sounds nice. Perhaps something simple like ‘bites’ after the album. It has several double entendres and fits with the heat of the blend.

Butiki Teas 12 years ago

Hmmm, that is a solid potential name.

Butiki Teas 12 years ago

Depending on how hot it gets Last Rights could also be used.

yyz 12 years ago

That might be fitting!

Plunkybug 12 years ago

I had to check wiki, but I think the one I had was either Too Dark Park or Last Rights…I’m thinking it was the latter. I once had a cassette my friend made me of Christian Death (not nearly as bad as it sounds) but the cassette player in my car would consistently spit it out. It was kinda of funny, actually. My friend opened me up to a lot of music, but in terms of industrial, if did prefer the dance-y stuff more. I was also a pathetic goth, but oh well. I have a pretty wide range of music tastes, which of course is helped by my hubby and his search for good stuff, and my music friend who sends me cds with random stuff on them, which sometimes I hate, but sometimes I love. I range from loving Steeleye Span’s “Lovely on the Water” to Tears For Fears everything to Pet Shop Boys to The Damned to The Specials (and other 2nd wave ska) to The Decemberists to Die Roten Punkte to The Housemartins (and later The Beautiful South) to Cocteau Twins and Dead Can Dance…it covers a lot, but mostly in the alternative and less mainstream areas.

Butiki Teas 12 years ago

Nice, both of those are excellent! Hahaha, I was a pathetic goth too. I even had the whole black hair thing going for a few years. That’s quite a range on those mix cds. Mix cds are the best. I’ve participated in a few group music exchanges where you send your mix cd to everyone in the group and you receive one from everyone in the group. I’ve found some great music that way from people around the world. Confession time, I still really like Tears For Fears. Shhhh, don’t tell anyone.

Plunkybug 12 years ago

It is a wide range, yeah. The music exchange sounds cool. There’s also a few Scandinavian groups I like. Right now though, I have a wide range of songs from A Very Potter Musical and Sequel in my head. :P Temporarily replaced with the music from hubby’s computer (Andy’s 80s) right now though…

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91
drank Coconut Chai by Zhena's Gypsy Tea
1040 tasting notes

OMG!!! WOW!!! I don’t care that this is tea bags, I don’t care that it doesn’t count in my chai quest (re the coconut) – This is one of the best chais I’ve come across. This totally works. Lots of coconut – almost to the point that I think it’s more of a spicy coconut rather than chai – nice delicate spices. Add a little sweetener, add just a touch of milk and you are left with a delightful cup of sweet, creamy, coconut, spicy goodness.
This goes right on the shopping list. (Where do I buy it?)
Thank you OMGsrsly for introducing me to this amazing tea!!!!

Show 26 previous comments...
Cavocorax 12 years ago

Hahaha that’s awesome. Also, who cares if it’s bagged, right?
(It’s just surprising!)

Dexter 12 years ago

LOL I’m not a tea snob, I don’t care how it come – this is FANTASTIC. But yes a little surprised. :))

Courtney 12 years ago

I tried so to find where to buy it too, but it either didn’t ship to Canada or shipping was outrageous.

OMGsrsly 12 years ago

Isn’t it good? It’s available at London Drugs, and goes on sale quite often.

yyz 12 years ago

http://www.iherb.com/search?kw=tea&x=-801&y=-141#bid=ZHE&p=1

you can get it here. It’s a us site but the shipping is cheap to Canada

Courtney 12 years ago

Yay! I was just checking the Zhena’s site and the US Amazon. Thank goodness for Steepster :)

yyz 12 years ago

They have other things too like some Harney’s teas including loose leaf Paris..

ashmanra 12 years ago

I think here in NC it is available at World Market, Southern Season, and possibly the Fresh Market. I don’t know how widespread those chains are, though.

Dexter 12 years ago

Thanks yyz – will check that out if I can’t find it at my local London Drugs.
(I’m seeking tea at London Drugs?…who would have guessed).

MissB 12 years ago

I think I sent you a few bags of their Chocolate Chai. Did I? I found it at Winners. Comes in a cute tin and was super cheap. Next time I go, I’ll see if there’s any coconut chai left.

Dexter 12 years ago

LOL no you didn’t MissB – but that’s ok. I was just looking at the iherb website yyz mentioned and saw the chocolate chai rooibos, peach ginger, Tropical Green Berry Bellini. I might have to place an order from here. I didn’t realize they had all these fun flavors.

Dexter 12 years ago

I don’t think I’m allowed to go back to Winners yet – little afraid they might still have/or more of the French teas.

yyz 12 years ago

Apparently you can buy from London Drugs online but unless our dollar takes a complete nosedive it’s still cheaper to buy from the US site because shipping is 9.95.

akgrowngirl 12 years ago

This is one of my favorite coconut chai teas, it is amazing, bagged or not

Cavocorax 12 years ago

I’ve been waiting to walk by the Holiday teas from Celestial Seasonings as well! They’re not at Walmart, so I’ll just keep my eyes open. For a bagged tea, they work out well for an evening treat.

OMGsrsly 12 years ago

London Drugs pretty much only has the Chais. I like the iherb site, though. :) Thanks for the temptation, yyz! Cavo, Superstore had some of the Celestial Seasonings ones. They all have gluten, or I would have picked one up.

yyz 12 years ago

Cavo, they carry most of the Celestial Seasonings holiday teas at Bulk Barn. They have had them at the one near me since before labour day.

Cavocorax 12 years ago

Cool! Thanks guys. :)

OMGsrsly 12 years ago

iHerb has this cute wee glass steeper cup for $3, and I’m so tempted to place an order. Retail therapy, etc. I don’t need it really, do I, tea friends?

Dexter 12 years ago

Don’t you just love when a comment on a tasting note turns into a learning experience for several of us. You guys are just a wealth of information and awful enablers.. :))

Dexter 12 years ago

OMGsrsly Wait to see if they have sales this weekend…..
(if you are ordering tea anyway…what’s a 3.00 steeper…)

Dexter 12 years ago

It’s very cute, and 3.00 is an awesome price!!!

MissB 12 years ago

Sigh. If it wasn’t 9:56pm on a Sunday, I’d be walking over to the London Drugs up the street from my place right now.

OMGsrsly 12 years ago

If I didn’t have to finish laundry and get to sleep, I’d offer to meet you somewhere and do a quick, clandestine tea trade off. :D

Dexter 12 years ago

We’re awful, I’m thinking about what day this week I can get to the mall to check out London Drugs – LOL mine isn’t “just up the street”.

MissB 12 years ago

Heh. This is getting dangerous, OMGsrsly and Dexter.. woo boy. Love it!

keychange 12 years ago

Adding this to my shopping list too now! aaahhh!

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81
drank Alpine Punch by DAVIDsTEA
1789 tasting notes

Sipdown! (158)

I’m especially happy to finish this one as I bought it last February and it’s time to clear it out. Sure, I didn’t open the bag up until a month or so again so it was fresh but I’m pretty happy with my recent efforts to keep my tea rotated! So when I log a tea that I already have in stock, it gets a seperate entry on my sheet so I know how old the oldest stuff is and how new the newest. (Thanks Sil for that tip)

We were talking about tea earlier (right? who does that?) and I realized that 90% of my teas were purchased AFTER July 2013. So, that’s damn fresh.

Damn fresh.

Show 26 previous comments...
Courtney 11 years ago

Fresh to death.

Sil 11 years ago

…so what you’re saying is..you really became an addict in july

Cavocorax 11 years ago

Define: addict

Yvonne 11 years ago

Phresh.

Sil 11 years ago

Addict – someone who uncontrollably buys tea and considers themselves a heffalump. A-D-D-I-C-T Addict.

VariaTEA 11 years ago

Haha. My earliest teas are August, Cavo. Now I just need to drink them up soon (or send them away, that also has helped) to ensure my stash remains at maximum freshness.

Cavocorax 11 years ago

I’m not addicted! I can stop ANY TIME!!!

Cavocorax 11 years ago

I just don’t want to! And you can’t make meeeeeeee!

What if you’re a woozle?

Yvonne 11 years ago

That’s what they all say. :P

Cavocorax 11 years ago

VariaTEA – that’s pretty awesome too! I try to rotate between my newest exciting tea, and my oldest nearly forgotten stuff.

The spreadhseet makes it so easy to track though. I love sort. (excelnerd)

VariaTEA 11 years ago

I think I will have to add a column to my spreadsheet to mark when I got things. Typically I drink swaps first though and then go back to my own tea. Though I do make exceptions for cravings and for sipdowns.

Sil 11 years ago

I do he the same variatea….try to get to sample swaps first, then on to my teas. My oldest tea is from march at the moment but there’s only 1 and then it jumps to May….not too shabby, and of course I don’t count puerhs

Isaila 11 years ago

Hi I really love the Winnie-the-Pooh reference undercurrent to these comments. Okay. Izzy out.

Cavocorax 11 years ago

I should probably try to drink my sample sizes down. Usually I rush through as many as I can when I first get them, but if I get a lot of new teas at once it’s hard to do it, and then some end up getting pushed to the back. I don’t like to let them sit more than a month. Maybe two?

Sil – You not counting puerhs makes more sense than me not counting my ‘guest’ Tetley Orange Pekoe box that just won’t go away (for ppl who don’t want loose tea), and my eucalyptus/mint/ginger blend for colds that I only drink 2-3 times a year if I’m lucky! At least puerh ages nicely.

You changed your picture!!!

Sil 11 years ago

shhhhhh don’t tell the woozles!

Dexter 11 years ago

“Addict – someone who uncontrollably buys tea and considers themselves a heffalump”
I’m not a heffalump……does that mean I can buy tea….?

Sil 11 years ago

uh oh… i think i found a woozle!

Cavocorax 11 years ago

Heee. slightly tempted to change my pic to a woozle, but…
I’m a sucker for this cat. And this is my fav pic of her.

Plunkybug 11 years ago

You guys…sheesh! Lol!

Isaila 11 years ago

A heffalump or woozle
Is very
Confuzle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLnADKgurvc

OMGsrsly 11 years ago

Geez. Between that, Fantasia, and some of the super weird cartoons on TV when I was a kid, it’s amazing I didn’t turn out weirder.

Sil 11 years ago

Isaila! yay!

Plunkybug 11 years ago

I have a lot of this tea, and the last time I had it, my throat prickled. I had a different rooibos and no prickly issues from it, so maybe it is from a spice in this that I got too much of in that steep? I hope it was a fluke, cuz this one is sooo good, and one of the few rooibos I like.

Cavocorax 11 years ago

Hmmm. Did you buy any this year? From what I hear this blend is slightly different than the one from last year, so that might be part of it.

That sucks though. I get that once in awhile with rooibos, and I don’t know what it is, aside from the rooibos that triggers it because it’s not consistent.

Plunkybug 11 years ago

I’m not sure. Miss B sent me a packet, I think, and I had some from before. It may be that it happened with the tea from her packet.

Isaila 11 years ago

OMGsrsly: Kids shows are weird. I remember being super freaked out by many Winnie the Pooh movies. And I cried when I saw Finding Nemo in theaters…

OMGsrsly 11 years ago

I freaked out with ET and Snow White… just to show my age. :D

Isaila 11 years ago

I love that we can date people by movies now… I guess I showed my hand there a bit too.

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84
drank Nina's Japon by Nina's Paris
11287 tasting notes

Sipdown! So i have to say, I tried this a while back and liked it a lot but then forgot about it because it’s a green tea and i don’t drink those often. VariaTEA sent a sample to me, which i opened up today in an effort to get ahead with my sipdowns since now i might not have the weekend at all for tea drinking!
…We’re driving to Detroit on Friday night, Chicago on Saturday, and then all the way back to Toronto on Sunday. Because we can. lol…

I love this even more than the first time. Something about the vanilla and caramel REALLY makes me happy. it’s deliciously creamy and wonderful and now i want more. So maaaaybe i can convince my friend to trek up to Miami in February heh :) Thanks variatea!

Show 22 previous comments...
Courtney 11 years ago

I love the road trip, because you can. This tea is AMAZING. I must have more. I emailed them and they mentioned you…

Sil 11 years ago

ME? lol

VariaTEA 11 years ago

Haha yeah, Sil, they told both of us to talk to you about a group order to save on shipping :P. I am glad you liked it by the way. I think I recalled reading your tasting note so I tossed in a bit more so you could have it again.

Courtney 11 years ago

Haha yes. If only Steepster could support pictures. I also was chatting with VariaTEA for this. They mentioned you might place an order and to see if we could get some sort of group order going to help with shipping costs because they think it’ll be quite expensive.

Courtney 11 years ago

Oh man, VariaTEA I would send you anything for more haha!

Sil 11 years ago

So….i’m likely going to be trying to visit their store in Miami at the end of February. If i do, i’m fine to bring things back and send them to you guys or something like that…

Courtney 11 years ago

Ahh yes. That’s not quite what came across in the email haha. I definitely wouldn’t want to take up room in your suitcase, although I appreciate the offer. :)

Sil 11 years ago

….you realise, when i travel to florida i take 2 suitcases right? one for the clothes and one for tea? hahahaha

Sil 11 years ago

(don’t get me wrong, i’m all for a joint order as well, but if i’m going there, we save on the shipping to us and just need to split shipping from here to us when i get back)

Courtney 11 years ago

Hahaha the two suitcases. Okay, I don’t feel so badly anymore. :P

Sil 11 years ago

i guess technically we pay the 25$ for flying BUT the second one i can totally turn into a carry on and not pay for it bwahahaha

VariaTEA 11 years ago

Haha. I was actually saying to Courtney I will be in Florida in March and plan to do the same thing as you Sil. Plus, last time I came back from Florida I also had a second suitcase to bring back my teas. By the way, where do you buy tea when you are there? Aside from Nina’s, I couldn’t really find where to go.

Sil 11 years ago

Soooo funny story…i order from retailers, ship it to my friend’s places and pick up that plus anything else i’ve ordered. I am a fan of ordering my camera bags while i’m down there: www.kellymoorebag.com to save on duty/taxes etc..

VariaTEA 11 years ago

It’s okay. I order from retailers and send it to my Dad in LA to save on shipping. If he knows I will be in Florida he sends the stuff there to avoid customs and then I just bring it home. Yay for tea mules!!

Cavocorax 11 years ago

Pssssst. I would be interested in a group order.

Courtney 11 years ago

Right Cavo? Group order for the win!

VariaTEA 11 years ago

Haha. I feel like the group order would be a whole bunch of samples and a shitton of Nina’s Japon :P

OMGsrsly 11 years ago

Oh man. Sil! I need to get on this group order. :D

VariaTEA 11 years ago

I like how Sil has been appointed the leader of the group order by the people at Nina’s themselves.

Cavocorax 11 years ago

Hahaha. Yea, that’s pretty hilarious. And tey should probably give Sil and VariaTEA some free teas for a) getting us all excited about an order and b) ‘volunteering’ to make it happen!

Sil 11 years ago

I am ALL for that… totally plotting how to get to Miami with ease…

VariaTEA 11 years ago

If you are there around valentine’s day, they are having a tea, wine, and chocolate tasting event.

Sil 11 years ago

sadly it would be the last week in February..if i can convince folks to make the drive. We’re usually only in the orlando area when we o.

VariaTEA 11 years ago

I won’t be there until March so I am missing it too. I tried convincing my mom to go but she is not into teas enough to drive the hour into Miami.

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84
drank Wild Cherry by Fru P Kaffe & The
1351 tasting notes

First cup of tea in MY HOUSE! We moved into OUR HOUSE! yesterday and I had a cup of this with my mother while the menfolk did all the schlepping. Our task was mostly to unpack what could be unpacked (really just the kitchen and the bathroom), heat lunch in the oven (a rooty lasagna), keep the cats calm and generally stay out from underfoot. OUR HOUSE! is all-over chaos with chaos on at the moment. Boxes and stuff everywhere, but we have the internet and our computers up and running, so chaos is not likely to be going down very quickly. Emptied the rest out of our old place today and cleaned it, so we’re both quite tired. Am now having some ice cream, before we’ll be going to bed for our second night in OUR HOUSE!

At least tomorrow we can go to work and relax. ;)

Show 12 previous comments...
Fjellrev 12 years ago

That is awesome. Congratulations on moving into… YOUR HOUSE!

yyz 12 years ago

Exciting, but exhausting, Congrats on your new house, have fun making it into your new home!

Roughage 12 years ago

Congratulations. Now you can host tea parties in your own home! :)

Nicole 12 years ago

Woop! Congrats!

Courtney 12 years ago

Yay! Congratulations :)

Anna 12 years ago

Too awesome!

gmathis 12 years ago

Welcome home!

__Morgana__ 12 years ago

Gratz dearie! Sounds wonderful!

Nxtdoor 12 years ago

Awesome! Enjoy these moments :)

OMGsrsly 12 years ago

Woo! :) Congratulations on your house. :)

TheTeaFairy 12 years ago

Yay, congrats!

ashmanra 12 years ago

Congratulations! Enjoy every bit of the experience!

caile 12 years ago

Congratulations on your house!

MJ 12 years ago

wow, congrats!

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90

hum, when did blueberry become my default comfort tea? it wasn’t a conscious decision, but the day has been long, the sleep has been little and i am grateful to yyz and her swap package for this tasty sample!

by the by… what contractor builds walls without a vapour barrier? by the by part II: if you get a text from a tenant about a ‘little’ mold in a closet… break out the blueberry tea. the long day is going to segue into several more.

this tea is not candy or jam. it is soft, fresh blueberries with beautiful sky swirled flowers falling in my cup. the tea itself has a warm element, almost woody and somewhere in there i detect a note of green… as though the odd stem or leaf had been left with the blueberries. the green makes me smile further.

i think is my favourite part of swaps…. trying teas i never would have otherwise, being sent things that my friends think i may enjoy that i really, really do. i wonder if swapping teas counts as a hobby.

i dislike contractors…. at least the ones that cut corners.

thank you for my lovely cup of calm, yyz….

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec
Show 27 previous comments...
yyz 12 years ago

I’m glad it helped improve your day! As to the contactor issue you’d be surprised! I remember watching too separate contractors build a group of Townhomes within a block of each other and the difference in the quality between the construction and materials was night and day. Sad, because neither were exactly budget homes. Hope that the issue is localised and not rediculously expensive to deal with!

Dexter 12 years ago

I count swapping tea as a hobby – but that’s just me….

JustJames 12 years ago

i think i really need to count it as a hobby… i find it far too much fun not to. and it makes me happy….. i wonder if i could somehow incorporate tea into a tattoo? hmmmm.

Dexter 12 years ago

I’ve been looking at tea tattoos as well – most of the pics online are too “girly” flowery teapots for me – thinking about gaiwan with Chinese art or something like that (I’m just not sure anyone else would understand what it is). Placement is part of my problem – feel like I’m running out of skin….

Dexter 12 years ago

Swapping tea makes me happy as well – tons of fun :))

JustJames 12 years ago

far as i’m concerned i don’t care if other people understand what i put on my skin… the people that know me will get it. the girlie is tricky, i agree. there are things that are beautiful, but if i wear them i might seem odd… then again i never said i wasn’t odd!

i think the blooming teas are beautiful as they expand, as they carry/are carried by the tiny air bubbles…

you make another good point… where oh where would i put it? lol.

JustJames 12 years ago

http://www.outblush.com/women/images/2009/11/high%20tea%20art.jpg
http://th05.deviantart.net/fs50/PRE/i/2009/326/f/e/Green_Tea_Dragon_by_Gildhartt.jpg
http://www.skaneatelessuites.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/japanese_tea_set.jpg
http://tech.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/japanese_tea_apple.jpg

i think i like the last one most, but liking something is a far cry from having put permanently on your skin!

Dexter 12 years ago

I like the last one too, but I’m not sure how it would translate into a tattoo – the pic looks good because of the dark background. Depending on your skin tone, but I’m not sure it would stand out as well. I like the green dragon 2nd one-
Things to ponder – but now that I’m not buying tea, I could use that money for a new tattoo….

JustJames 12 years ago

i’m part smurph i’m so pale, lol. the only colour i avoid is yellow because it makes me look jaundiced. a good tattoo artist takes any idea you bring them and caters it to fit your shape and space though….

dexter… you did NOT just turn this into a tattoo enable forum did you? because i’m not buying tea for awhile either. i cannot believe you just went there, lol.

Dexter 12 years ago

http://www.tattooinspiration.com/tattoo-of-the-day-4151.html
I like this but I think it would be more appropriate for Awkward Soul

Dexter 12 years ago

LOL – Oh I’ve been thinking about tattoo rather than tea for a month now…. LOL I’m not telling YOU what to do, was just thinking out loud…
I haven’t gotten any new ink in almost 2 years…I’m suffering from withdrawal big time….

JustJames 12 years ago

very nice! i have 2000 years of cybernetic history in a 7 inch cuff around my ankle and up my leg that i want things always to link somewhat to (theoretical bypass to repair my nervous system)… sortof a theme for me =0). cybernetics, wires, gears, patches and screws.

JustJames 12 years ago

oh no… i have another tattoo that says ‘you can’t make me’ (long story)…. but you can suggest with great efficacy!! it’s been awhile for me too.

sigh. great things start with ‘t’. lol.
i’ve been itchy for the buzzing pen.

Dexter 12 years ago

I agree that they are personal and should somehow represent something about you. I like your idea of cybernetic re nervous system. That’s awesome. I also agree that others don’t have to like/understand your tattoos – as long as you like them then it’s all good.

Dexter 12 years ago

I thought you had stopped buying tea re tuition, groceries, etc….
Ummmmm LOL you can’t eat a new tattoo…. I shouldn’t be encouraging this – but I don’t get to talk tattoos very often. :))

JustJames 12 years ago

i have imposed a moratorium. i have a ton of tea. truly. and i have a student loan and i am applying for a scholarship this next week.

similar to my taste in tea, my taste in tattoos is expensive (also expansive). i love to talk about them… the next one will probably coincide with a major mile marker (ie a degree).

http://modeletatuaje.ucoz.ro/_ph/19/839921587.jpg this one would fit right in. what do you think…. 3000$? lol.

Dexter 12 years ago

As much as I can appreciate how awesome that is, it’s not something I would get. I don’t think the tattoo would be 3000.00 but the travel expense to find an artist who could pull that off might be. LOL
Expensive – yep expansive yep – go big or go home. That’s my running out of big chunks of skin problem….
Good luck with the scholarship – hope that comes through for you. :))

JustJames 12 years ago

all i can do is try…. as far as i know i have the grades. i have demographics going my way too. disabled permanently, check. mature student, check. straight A’s, check.

it won’t be happening for awhile, lol. but i can dream and/or live vicariously through you! http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g5DdWGS28vU/Tr5cP5ibSpI/AAAAAAAAXgs/RMjV8EfzVys/s1600/cyborg-tattoos14.jpg

for me machinery fixes it all. my nervous system is so corrupt that basic things can be exhaustive! if i were partially mechanical the problem would be diminished. or so i have reasoned in my brain =0). and seeing as that is a rather remote conclusion, i am happy to have it represented artistically.

Dexter 12 years ago

I love that tattoo. Most bio-mechanical pieces that I’ve seen are straight black and grey. I love the added color – looks like real circuit boards – love how the torn skin has some redness around it. That is a fabulous piece…..

Dexter 12 years ago

OK that’s it, you’ve convinced me. I’m going to pick/commit a piece of skin and start searching for an artist who can/will pull off my Roman/Philosophy vision.

JustJames 12 years ago

do i get to see photos? i want to see photos! lol. my cuff is very 3 dimensional with lots of colour. the artist spent 5-6 hours replicating an actual sized circuit board. ha! i even have an on/off button…. i think my wife wished there were a ‘mute’? ;0)

Dexter 12 years ago

It’s still in my head – I can’t draw, at the mercy of an artist to capture my vision. I want to do something representing Ancient Rome and the contradiction of the different sides of that society. They were way ahead of their time as far as status of women, social services, democracy etc and yet they were brutal, cruel, slave owners and warriors.
Picture Roman soldier sitting in the “Thinkers” pose with a Roman senator reading to him from a tablet – garden setting olive trees, grape vines etc. That’s my vision…..

Dexter 12 years ago

LOL doesn’t the “off” button also work as “mute” – or does she want you to function but in “mute” mode… ;))

Terri HarpLady 12 years ago

Ok…I love you guys!
It’s been 2 years since my last tat, & if I didn’t spend so much money on tea (or sold more CDs) , I’d be getting a new one for my birthday in a few weeks.
I loved the green dragon. Tony has his entire right chest, shoulder, upper arm, & upper back as a Tibetan dragon, in shades of black & gray & I love the detail of it. The other shoulder etc is a hummingbird surrounded by tropical flowers…kind of like a Hawaiian shirt, very colorful. Mine are smaller, but symbolic of the place my head was at when I received them:
- a fairy that sits on my left shoulder to whisper in my ear & remind me of who I really am once in awhile. Got that one 20 years ago.
- a personal symbol I once drew during meditation, that ended up on the inside of my left arm, that serves to remind me that all answers to my questions lie within. That was about 15 years ago.
- a butterfly on the back of my right hand by my thumb & pointer finger. Freedom of self expression, letting go of inhibitions, especially in the area of playing Jazz. That was my birthday tat a few years ago.
I love tats & dream about them, drawing them on myself to try them out. I have a special affinity for spiders (& they like me too…the ultimate creators), but I have yet to find the spider tats I want. I think a spider stalking a butterfly or becoming one, would be the ultimate symbol for creative freedom, which has been my musical quest. I also have had several visions for back pieces, but never the funds. Ok….I’ve rambled enough.

TeaExplorer 12 years ago

A spider becoming a butterfly … wow, that is both intriguing and unique. If I saw someone with that I would have to stop and talk about it. What a cool idea :D

Shmiracles 12 years ago

this is a great thread! so inspiring! beautiful ideas. i thought of getting a new tattoo too, and tea is a big possibility.

JustJames 12 years ago

so we all love tea and many of us have tattoos… many of us are artists, many of us are students…. so many connections. what a brilliant thing.

oh and dexter… yes, i think ‘functional’ but ‘muted’ is precisely what she would have wanted, lol! i’m not a terribly quiet individual. i’m guessing that comes across and doesn’t surprise anyone on steepster. =0)

Sil 12 years ago

i love tattoos…on other ppl lol

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100

Aaah… I’ve had a good morning so far.

Got out of bed at 4:30am in order to go outside and watch the sunrise… a cup of Ailaoshan in hand, my dog Dexter by my side.

Love the feeling at that hour of the day, it’s like the world stopped, everything got suspended in time for you to admire. It’s so quiet, it has you think you are the only one blessed enough to witness such beauty.

That feeling is ephemeral, cause a few minutes later, nature starts its joyful symphony, and you are quickly reunited with life.

I love this tea. It fills my head with beauty and happiness, starts my day in the best possible way.

Still getting those sweet and salty caramel notes, with some nice cocoa feel.

Love the fruitiness of it, dried dates and figs.

A favourite of the morning….Forever and ever.

Show 23 previous comments...
Whispering Pines Tea Company 11 years ago

Good morning! :)

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

And good morning to you as well ;-)

SarsyPie 11 years ago

Sssshh… I’m still sleeping. :p

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

(Oops, Okay…sorry ;-))

SarsyPie 11 years ago

Seriously, you have inspired me to try to get up early and see a sunrise. I think it’s been over 15 years since that happened, and it wasn’t from getting up early, it was from staying out late!

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Nothing beats that feeling…
Haha! I’ve had those wasted sunrises as well dear…memory lane. Mind you, I went to bed past 2am, so it was almost that!

Terri HarpLady 11 years ago

This makes me want to start dragging my butt out of bed earlier, at least once in awhile!
I love the freshness of the early morning, & of course the birds & their songs!
My problem is I also love the silence of late night & my creativity seems to always awaken & peak from 10pm to 2am.:)

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

I understand the night creativity…then just be like me, a night AND a morning person ;-)

Whispering Pines Tea Company 11 years ago

TheTeaFairy, do you get that beautiful blanket of cool mist in the mornings?

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Brenden, yes I do… Especially on cooler nights like yesterday. A blanket is right, this morning, it was only at ground level, so dense I could not see through!

Whispering Pines Tea Company 11 years ago

My favorite :) I had a fair bit of fog here last night and I went for a walk. Truly beautiful stuff!

inranger 11 years ago

I work in the night time Indiana woods. Last night a mist enveloped my world. A very special sight/feeling. :)

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

I so love that feeling inranger…glad to know the sight doesn’t get old even for you, as it is part of your job to see beautiful nature canvases every day :-)

inranger 11 years ago

Yes, I am blessed. :)

Terri HarpLady 11 years ago

Every day!

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Count me in also :-)

K S 11 years ago

Love these comments!

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Brenden, I go night walking as well, but only when there’s a full moon. Then it gets really magical!

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Then jump in KS, you are always welcome :-)

Whispering Pines Tea Company 11 years ago

The smell of thick fog in the forest is my absolute favorite thing <3

Whispering Pines Tea Company 11 years ago

Or after it’s stormed all night and the sun is hitting the trees and you get that unexplainable freshness…mmm

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Ok stop! You’re going to cause a massive human migration to the woods…how could anyone resist all that?

Whispering Pines Tea Company 11 years ago

Right?! Well, I could only do about 5 minutes in the woods today to get some mushrooms I was letting grow a bit more…It’s mosquito hell out there today!

yyz 11 years ago

Understand the night and morning person thing. I just have to watch out for the phase out in the middle of the day thing bred into me by years of boredom at school.

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Yyz, hate napping in the afternoon, it’s screws me up more than my insomnia!!

Brendan, mmm, fresh mushroom…what kind do you get? Have to be careful though…
And mosquitos have been the worst here this year, they are so big, and they give me allergic reactions, i have a bite the size of an orange on one leg, dammit!

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Working this one up tonight. I bought this after tasting a sample of it a while back. Mengsong material is usually pretty decent.
I grabbed 11 grams out to start with and gave it a rinse and a little sit time.
Wet leaf you can pick some hints of floral but subdued and there is some smoke in there as well. The tea brews a nice aged golden color in the cup.
It starts out fairly thick and seems to rattle around in the mouth a bit. It is a pretty strong brew with the mintyness and camphor and bitterness rolling around in there. It is not as strong as a Bulang area tea but it is quite strong. Letting the cup cool a bit the bitterness can really come to the front. I see this one doing quite a few quick steeps as I am already 8 in and the leaf keeps giving. The aged profile of this will make you think it is a few years older than it actually is.

Flavors: Bitter, Camphor, Floral, Mint, Smoked

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 0 min, 15 sec 11 g 10 OZ / 295 ML
Show 15 previous comments...
tea123 9 years ago

Better than the 2008 Bulang? ;)

mrmopar 9 years ago

I never had the chance on that one. It was gone away I heard good reviews of it though.

tanluwils 9 years ago

I think after comparing your sample with the newly arrived one I’ve convinced myself to grab a cake.

mrmopar 9 years ago

I think it is a good cake for the price.

tanluwils 9 years ago

Have you tried Teaurchin’s Baotang?

mrmopar 9 years ago

@tanluwils I have. I have a cake aging away. I may need to put it side to side. I think the EoT was a bit more punchy if I remember right.

tea123 9 years ago

I bought a cake of this and it certainly is punchy!

mrmopar 9 years ago

@tea123 there is another one similar to this one…..
http://steepster.com/teas/menghai-tea-factory/67819-2015-menghai-dayi-legend-of-taetea-raw

tea123 9 years ago

Thanks. Yes I remember now commenting that you said it was similar. Very interesting.

mrmopar 9 years ago

I have a good hookup on a good price on this one too.

looseTman 7 years ago

205 °F, 15 SEC, 11 G / 10 OZ: Understood. So 15 sec for the first steep, & then … ? Thanks!!

mrmopar 7 years ago

@looseTman I would go about 5 seconds on the first and adjust from there. I should go back and re session this one in the future.

tea123 7 years ago

I approach this tea with caution.

mrmopar 7 years ago

@tea1123 I really like this one. I think 3 cakes worth at least. Well maybe 2 1/2. I have drank a lot and shared as well.

tanluwils 7 years ago

This one has acclimated nicely to my tupperware storage. No more of that awkward prune and a bit more sandalwood, camphor, leather, and fig.

looseTman 7 years ago

Hi mrmopar, Yes, I thought 15 sec sounded longer than you typically recommend for a first steep. I will look for your update. AllanK’s 5 sec, 5 sec, 7 sec, 10 sec, 15 sec, 20 sec, 25 sec, 30 sec, 45 sec, 1 min, 1.5 min, and 2 min seems works well for Baotang.

mrmopar 7 years ago

@looseTman how are you liking it? I am hoarding it.

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86

Tea of the night…

I love my little green teas. Yes, they are my little ones. I don’t drink them as often as my blacks and oolongs but I do appreciate them. Yes, I play on the dark AND the green side!

This is like drinking morning dew. As if I had gone out at the first hour of the day to collect in my glass steeper enough little grassy drops to fill a decent tiny cup. In French, morning dew is called “la rosée”, I love that word, it sounds so soft and fluffy, just like this tea is.

I took a picture…

I know, I know, I often like to show…well see, I don’t have a blog but I take pictures all the time, especially tea pictures, so why not share them? Of course you don’t have to click, I won’t be offended… But for those who love to watch, here it is:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/laafeevertee/14377042107/

Isn’t it pretty and tender looking? Like beautiful seaweeds, moving in slow motion.

It tastes so fresh and vegetal, a bit salty and marine. It’s a pure and clean taste. The type I love to pair with fish.

I threw this one in my cart on last order cause ya know…my plan is to try ALL existing Whispering Pines teas!!!

I’m glad I did.
Show 23 previous comments...
Christina / BooksandTea 11 years ago

That does look lovely. Why must you tempt me so! I told Steepster and my entire family that I wouldn’t buy any more tea until September!

MzPriss 11 years ago

So pretty in that glass. Do you love that steeper? I’ve been thinking about one…

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Christina…just give in…september was way too ambitious ;-)

MzPriss, I love my test tube! Short steep for the lazy…works really well for green and shou but not so much for larger leaf like oolong, it gets too jammed packed.

mj 11 years ago

I like the pictures you post :-)

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Thanks mj :-)

MzPriss 11 years ago

@TeaF I’ve been eyeing one at I think Verdant. What I need to be eyeing is where I’m going to put everything that is either alresady here or coming to my house.
@Christina – she is a total temptress…

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Oh, I hear you on that…massive shit load of tea coming our way…i have 2 yixing pots on the way also. Sigh.
(I did buy my test tube at Verdant…totally worth it…you should seriously consider…just sayin’)

MzPriss 11 years ago

Maybe when the Laoshan Choky Genmaicha comes in. I have massive shitloads still to come, but I’ve been putting Madala in tins this morning and it makes me happeh :) I have also been LOLing at my messages this morning but now I want chai, so that will be my on the way to work tea…

MzPriss 11 years ago

2 yxings??? LOL. I LOVE you.

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Hahaha! I don’t blame you, I cold brewed some right after that conversation!

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Well you obviously don’t know my relationship with yixing pots…I buy them, I break them…then I buy some more, and I break some more….CLUMSY!!!

MzPriss 11 years ago

I a breaker too. Well more of a chipper actually. Although, my sweet little cup w/infuser that I reviewed on here recently? I had it for a week and a half before I broke the mug :(

MzPriss 11 years ago

’scuse my typos. not enough sleep :(

MzPriss 11 years ago

Off to work (with my chai) Have a good day

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Lol, you too :-)

Cameron B. 11 years ago

Why don’t you have a blog? :)

Cheri 11 years ago

I love your pictures!

Terri HarpLady 11 years ago

Lovely pics as always, & we have matching test tube steepers :)
I love that thing, wouldn’t dream of brewing green teas in anything else!
On the topic of breaking things (rolls eyes dramatically), my desk & studio are both littered with chipped tea cups, because once I chip them I won’t serve tea in them. So they become holders of things: pennies, paperclips, a wet tea strainer, the weird little Bingo keytags that I write my daily tasks on (in hopes of actually getting them done), etc.
I have a fantasy of rounding them up this fall & planting a small succulent jade plant in each on, to give as winter gifts to my students.
Gratefully, I haven’t broken any of my yixings (knock on wood). I would be heart broken.

mj 11 years ago

I love that jade plant idea! Teacup planters are adorable and I have a very handsome jade plant that I enjoy a lot. It’s one of my favorites (shhhh don’t tell my other plants)

boychik 11 years ago

Yixings? From where ? Links ?
I love the pics and you should blog, telling ya

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Thanks you guys, but no need for a blog, Steepster is my tea-home, I’m way happier here with you all :-)

Terri, what a great idea!

Boychik…dunno if you remember, but when you were buying yours from Zen Tea, I told you I had purchased the pumpkin one and that IMHO, their prices could not be beaten for signed handmade pots. Well….I cracked it. It’s not conpletely broken, but can’t be used anymore. I liked it soooo much that I repurchased it…

http://zentealife.com/yixing-teapot-siji.html

And…couldn’t resist this one in the process…does it look familiar?

http://zentealife.com/yixing-teapot-songdan.html

boychik 11 years ago

Oh I love the pumpkin and second looks very familiar. I just checked prices went up, mine was $29
Oh well, it’s worth every penny.

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Lol, yes, it’s totally worth it…I have bought lots of teaware from them and I know they are 100% reliable. I don’t know any other places where you can get a certificate of authenticity for such low price. Kenneth, the owner had told me it was his last batch in inventory, he wouldn’t be able to get them anymore. So I made my move before they’re all gone :-)

Terri HarpLady 11 years ago

Mine are all very plain, but wonderfully functional, all from Mandala. However, there are others I’ve been drooling over for awhile…

boychik 11 years ago

I got 2 fr YS some time ago but they are 200 ml. At that time I didn’t realize that they are huge. I really want them to be 100-130ml .

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Yummy!!!

Now that some magician has handed me some dried elderberries, I was able to make the real version of this Northern Sweet Tea. Though my own temporary blueberry version was pretty darn delicious, I admit that it’s fun to have it the way it was meant to be.

It was hot today. This was the perfect iced tea.

Really, A little maple syrup added to Golden Orchid and some cute rustic tiny little berries….how could you not like this?

I drank two big mason jars today, and wanted more!! And the good thing is, I can make more, which makes me a very happy fairy :-)

Show 27 previous comments...
Terri HarpLady 11 years ago

I do need to try this!

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

It’s fab.

MzPriss 11 years ago

I have some in the fridge!

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Lol, I’m having GO right now AND I’m having some NST. A sip of hot, a sip of cold!

MzPriss 11 years ago

I’m having some GO after I finish this delicious cup of Yi Fu Chun. I’m saving my NST for later in the day out on the porch. I LOVE the combo though. May have to try that.

SarsyPie 11 years ago

I am making this today. I know I said that a few days ago, but this week was nuts. After my hike, I am coming home, and I am making this. Since HoneyBelle sent me elderberries, I am ready to rumble!

MzPriss 11 years ago

Make it before you go on your hike and put it in the fridge so it’s cold when you get back – it will be PERFECT after your hike!

SarsyPie 11 years ago

Yes, ma’am! Making tea NOW! :p

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Oh! Hike and NST = Perfect Sunday

MzPriss 11 years ago

I can’t wait to hear what you think of it

SarsyPie 11 years ago

Indeed, TTF! I am looking forward to both. I’m making a double-batch of the NST. I’ll maybe share some with the boyfriend. :p

MzPriss 11 years ago

Double batch is a good idea with this. I make it a quart at a time. I may go sneak a little drink of it now

Whispering Pines Tea Company 11 years ago

I made a quart this morning :) Mmmmhm! :D

SarsyPie 11 years ago

I tripled the batch. What the heck! You guys haven’t led me astray yet. I know I’ll love this!

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Oh yes you will. And so will the boyf.

SarsyPie 11 years ago

IF I share. :p

He didn’t appreciate the pu’erh I am drinking, but I’m certain he will like the NST.

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Which one are you having?

SarsyPie 11 years ago

Mandala’s Heart of the Old Tree Sheng Pu’er 2012. Please check out my note if you get a chance. I actually read your note before I made it, since I was looking for brewing times. I thought it was interesting that you found peach, because to me, it smelled exactly like dried apricot!!!

MzPriss 11 years ago

That settles it – I’m ordering that now.

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

MzPriss, I was just gonna offer you to send you some, but I don’t think a sample would be enough :-)

I did check your review Sarsonator, awesome!

MzPriss 11 years ago

I’m just gonna order it.

MzPriss 11 years ago

It sounds sooooooo good!

SarsyPie 11 years ago

I hope I someday end up in the tea retirement home with you two. Remember it from this thread? http://steepster.com/discuss/2404-stash-slash-cupboard-pictures?page=10&post_id=135229

Also, does this mean that I am now a tea enabler, MzPriss?? :p

MzPriss 11 years ago

Yes, you have totally earned enabler status. We will have to all be there together and all chip to pay a Tea Dobby to make us amazing, perfectly-prepared tea all day long.

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Haha! Yes, I remember it!! And you have now officially entered the TTEG. (The tea enablers guild)

SarsyPie 11 years ago

Awesome!!!! I will wear my TTEG badge proudly, and look forward to the day that we sit around all day, chatting and drinking perfectly-prepared tea! :)

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

And I so want a tea-dobby…

MzPriss 11 years ago

NEED a TeaDobby. It’s a NEED.

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Haha! Definitely a NEED.

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89

I needed good sheng energy today (AKA sheng tripping)…

I planned on being a tea noodle all day and just take it easy, but this gave me such good energy, I had to go swimming for a while. (But I came back to being a tea noodle right after).

Mao cha is beautiful to look at. Silvery dark strands, super long and rigid, they beg for hot water to soften and relax.

The first steeps are so fresh, bright and mineral, with citrusy notes. Slightly astringent, but nothing offensive. I also get that very light camphor taste I have come to appreciate so much. I get the tingling tongue, which is always fun :-)

At around the 5th steep, it gets sweeter and smoother, spicy notes are also developing. It’s not woodsy or smokey at all, just pure and clean. I also get peachy notes, the type you find in white tea.

I’ve been sipping on those leaves all afternoon. This tea is fantastic, so glad I’ve included it in my order.

It gave me such a warm feeling, I feel invigorated and ready to watch the supermoon tonight with other Steepster members, from a distance…Fun!!!

Show 26 previous comments...
SarsyPie 11 years ago

Another lovely review!

What, may I ask, is a tea noodle? LOL

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Tea noodle: a long and and relaxed thing that absorbs tons of tea…. (Myself on a couch, reading and steepsterising while drinking tea…lots of it)

Cameron B. 11 years ago

Lol, I love that term! :P

SarsyPie 11 years ago

OMG… that’s too cute! I had a rough night, but now I am back in the tea saddle and I’ll join you in this tea noodle status, if you don’t mind!

Cameron B. 11 years ago

Picturing you in the fairy jacuzzi again! With cherries floating around! Teehee.

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Hahaha! One day I might just do that cameron, bring a ton of cherries in the pool with me and let them float around me :-)

Sarsonator, tea noodles love company, you are always welcome to join me :-)
(Sorry you had a rough night though…)

SarsyPie 11 years ago

Thank you!

Weren’t you or MzPriss (or both) talking about the Laoshan Black Chocolate Genmaicha from Verdant? I put it on my wishlist and I think it was because one of you lovely ladies mentioned it. Or am I getting senile?

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Noooo!! Not crazy!! Look at Cameron’s review just now, lol. (Cough, I just bought 8oz.)

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

(Cough, Honeybelle bought even more I think)

SarsyPie 11 years ago

LOL. Cameron’s review just made me think of it. I am not ready to get 8 oz, but I did order 2 oz.

It must be good if you and HoneyBelle would buy that much! I also got the Laoshan Black and the Lady Gaga blend. Why not? :)

Cameron B. 11 years ago

I WANT THE LADY GAGA! QQ Let me know how it is!

SarsyPie 11 years ago

Well here’s the thing. I already have a sample to send you, but my little zippie tea sample bags have not arrived yet. Verdant usually ships quickly, so since you’re already waiting so patiently, I’ll add a little Lady Gaga when I send you the other sample. Then you can decide if you want to buy more!

Cameron B. 11 years ago

Psh, that’s amazing! Can’t wait to try it, all of the ingredients sound delicious. Thanks so much! :D

SarsyPie 11 years ago

No problem! I like tea sharing. :)

Terri HarpLady 11 years ago

I’m also a LB Chocolate Genmaicha hoarder. It’s so good it makes me appear to have tourette’s syndrome when I take the first sip

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Hahaha! Totally a Tourette syndrome tea!!!

SarsyPie 11 years ago

Oh my! Now I am extra excited to try it!

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

It tuns on the mega twitch switch on.

Marzipan 11 years ago

Best taken while wearing a negligee

MzPriss 11 years ago

Terri – I’m with you on the Sudden Onset Tourettes when drinking LBCG. And LTF – I didn’t order hardly much more than you at all – but it’s not HERE yet.

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

I did offer to send you some, you should have said yesssss!!!! :-)

MzPriss 11 years ago

I know and I love you for that. But it will be here soon. Right?

MzPriss 11 years ago

OMG I just thought of a song for LBCG!!!

Terri HarpLady 11 years ago

Almost time for the moon to come up in St. Louis…

MzPriss 11 years ago

LOL – I just said that on your Elderwood note – about 30 minutes and I will be on my porch with my tea

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Me too!!

SWApilot 11 years ago

Great review. This is may be in my next order.

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Thanks SWApilot, it’s really worth trying.

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