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Since I was re-visiting the Bailin black, I figured I might as well try this one out again using the gongfu method. Teavivre black teas gongfu experiment day!

I did four steepings: rinse,15,25,40, and 60 seconds.

The gongfu method really brings out the sweetness in the tea. I am getting more caramel notes than I did with the western method. I am still getting that slight sweet potatoe note as well. Or maybe my tastes have developed more and my palate is becoming more refined. Either way, I am increasing my rating a bit!

I wanted to steep this tea with my gongfu pot to see if I could bring out a little more of the chocolate notes and less of the grainy feeling to the tea.

Using my little gongfu pot. One note here: the leaves don’t get very large so make sure you use a straining device or else there will be leaves in your cup.

Quick rinse

I did four steepings at 30seconds, 40seconds, 60seconds, and 75seconds

I found with the gongfu steeping, there was a milder grainy aspect, which I enjoyed. It still wasn’t as sweet as I was hoping it would be. However, the chocolate did seem to come out a little more. I am pleased with this method and will continue to steep using this method with this tea.

Or if I continue to western brew this tea, I will take the first steeping as a rinse because I enjoyed the second and third steepings much more.

So, I was supposed to go with my friend on a DT date. I was waiting for that to go and get the fall teas. But, with all the reviews up on here, I couldn’t wait any longer. I finally got my fall teas yesterday! Fall teas are probably my favourite flavours and it is my fav season as well. I am rambling….

This is what I have been waiting for!! Sweet and a little spicy. Cute little marshmallows that dissolve quickly. They do make the brew a little bit cloudy though.

As for “toasted marshmallow,” I would agree with DaisyChubb that it is probably closer to eggnog. Either way, it is delicious.

Oh, and did someone say latte?…….this would be amazing as one…..be right back!

I had 1/4 of my cup left, but then I warmed up 1/4 cup of milk in the microwave and poured my remaining tea into it……….WHAT? Who put that eggnog in my cup? This is honestly delicious! What a sinful treat (but not as sinful as eggnog….lol).

I steeped this for 10 minutes based on other reviews here. I did test it at 5 minutes and it was fairly weak.

The brew is a nice light yellow. I noticed that there is some oil on the surface that I am guessing is from the oil in the nuts (or I hope so anyway). That is kinda weird.

So, anyway, I don’t usually go nuts for a banana flavoured tea. There have only been 2 that I liked so far. This ok, but it does taste a little artificial.

Not sure if I will stock this once my 20g sample is gone or not.

EDIT: I can also see why some people have said to use a t-sac for this one. It does leave a pretty gross mess in the infuser.

I went to get the fall teas FINALLY today! This one sounds kinda weird. So the SA whipped me up a small sample to try.

I must say, it is better than I thought it would be. Kinda like fruit punch. But there is just too much going on here. I am mostly getting the cherry flavour but everything else makes it a mish-mash (haha). The hibiscus makes it too tart as well.

Too bad, because me and white tea are really good buddies :(

Whoohoo, 300 notes!

I figured I had better make my 300th note something a little special. I am loving jasmine teas more and more. And this one is super expensive and it is rolled into pretty butterflies. I used my little gongfu pot just so that I could watch them uncurl. I steeped western brewing though.

This is silky, smooth, and sweet. Not bitter or overwhelming. Better than their Silk Dragon Jasmine. But…..not as good as Teavivre’s Jamsine pearls, and it is nearly 4 times the price.

I will save this tea when I have time to watch it uncurl. And when I need a special treat!

Thanks to Batrachoid for this sample.

This is really good. It is similar to DAVIDsTEA mint chocolate rooibos. But, this one has white chocolate with a honeybush base. It is nice and smooth with sweet chocolate. The mint isn’t overpowering.

I think I might even like this one better than the DT version. The rooibos base gives it more of an earthy base, whereas the honeybush in this blend makes is sweeter and smoother.

The dry leaf and the brewed tea smells very vegetal. Not really floral like I expected from a white tea. The leaves are really cute looking, curly and bright green when steeped.

First steep, 20seconds. I am getting boiled spinach with slightly salted butter. No hint of floral, but it is creamy.

Second steep for 25seconds. Maybe a little bit sweeter with a little bit less vegetal taste. More creamy in a way.

Third steeping for 25seconds. The aroma and taste of snap peas with a silky smooth finish enters my senses at this point.

Fourth steeping for 35seconds. This is probably my favourite steeping, it is lightly vegetal with creamy notes. I am not sure if I am getting soymilk, almond, or vanilla but there are maybe hints of each one.

Fifth steeping for 35seconds. Much the same as the fourth

To be honest, this is a lot more vegetal than I was expecting for a white tea. However, it is a tea of exceptional quality and flavour.

I tried this cold brewed. It doesn’t work as well that way because the little candies don’t dissolve. It isn’t as sweet as when it is hot. There is still some strawberry flavour there though. Next time, I will hot brew it then put it in the fridge to chill I think

Thank you to Nicole and Batrachoid for these samples!

This seems like a fall tea with cranberry and almonds. And since it is almost fall, time to try this!

Upon first sip, I get a bit of tart cranberry with almond and the black tea base coming through. The cranberry isn’t too tart though, just enough for it to be like real cranberries. I feel like I would want the almond to be just a little bit more prevalant here.

This is a great blend!