Lotus Ancien from The Tao of Tea

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Green

Where to Buy:  The Tao of Tea

Tea Description:

A delicate green tea with a clear, crisp flavor is paired with the heady, aromatic fragrance of Lotus, reminiscent of anise and vanilla.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

I am truly amazed at how delicious this tea is.

I have been a fan of scented teas for quite some time, especially jasmine scented teas.  In fact, jasmine has been my favorite for many years now, but I think that lotus has a good chance of dethroning my beloved jasmine after tasting this tea.

When I first saw the leaves, I thought they might be an Oolong, or even a black tea (they are darker in color than the photo above suggests, they are a deep chocolate-brown color), so I was glad that I checked on it before I brewed it, because if I had brewed it by what I saw, I think the water would have been too hot and I might have ruined this fantastic tea.

I steeped it at a low temperature (175°F) for 2 minutes, and the result was a pale golden colored brew – it is much paler than I expected with such dark leaves.  The aroma is intensely floral – it’s very pleasing to the nose!

The flavor is superb.  The green tea is a very delicate flavor, sweet with hints of vegetation.  The lotus provides a delightful vanilla-y tone, just as the description above suggests, as well as hints of anise.  It isn’t a snappy licorice flavor, but more of a gentle, sweet anise, softened by the creamy overtones.

This is one of those teas that goes beyond “pleasant” or “enjoyable” – this is a memorable tea, one that will make ordinary moments extraordinary and special moments even better.

I love this tea.