(Insert Music Bed HERE)…The best part of waking up…is dancing leaves in your cup! Okay, I’m just having a little fun with spoof jingles and at the same totally showing my age. Regardless, it was the first thing that came to mind when I was infusing this tea. Shi Zuo Oolong from Tea From Taiwan…it’s where it’s AT!
Don’t let the gentle, pale yellow liquor tea color fool you! What it lacks in a bolder, more vibrant color…it makes up for in beautiful aroma and flavor!
It’s very fresh, clean, buttery, and sweet when it comes to taste. As for aroma it reminded me of sweet, sugar snap peas with a hint of raisin. The buttery texture of the sip lingers long after the sip and makes you crave more.
This is definitely one of the more interesting and flavorful Oolongs I have sampled in a while. I think it would pair well with a nice savory veggies and rice dish, too! YUM!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Tea From Taiwan
Description
Shi Zuo oolong tea (wu long tea) is grown in the Shi Zuo (Stone Table) area of Alishan (Mount Ali). At an altitude of 1300 meters, Shi Zuo has a cool, moist climate that is ideal for growing tea.
Shi Zuo oolong tea is hand picked and hand processed in the traditional manner of Taiwanese High Mountain oolongs. The processing results in ball-shaped tea pellets which consist of two or three leaves and a bud. These pellets open up during brewing to release the full flavor of the tea.
In order to experience the full potential of this tea, we recommend brewing it Gong Fu style. This method of brewing brings out the sweetness and complex undertones that mark this tea as one of the best that Taiwan has to offer.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
London Fog/Malfoy Tea Emporium
Fellow SororiTea Sister Starling send me a bit of this brew. On the sample bag was the branding sticker of Malfoy Tea Emporium “Betwitching Brews” for every fandom and underneath “London Fog” was handwritten in black ink.
I wasn’t able to locate this specific tea on their lovely Etsy Shop but that isn’t to say it’s not worth a mention!
When I think London Fog…I think a nice, solid medium strength black tea with vanilla and bergamot flavors to accompany the base. This was just the case with this flavored tea I received.
It was delicious! I believe this has been the one and only tea I have tried from Malfoy Tea Emporium and I can’t wait to try additional offerings! I LOVE fandom teas and I appreciate Etsy Shops and here at SororiTea Sisters we always try and help get the word out on either of those!
London Fog…you lift my spirits!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Malfoy Tea Emporium
Description
It appears this store is taking a break on Etsy but click below for more information.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Skin Deep/Urbal Tea
It’s rare that I start of a review with the focus being on the ingredients but it’s a MUST with this offering from Urbal Tea named Skin Deep.
Skin Deep from Urbal Tea contains a slew of ingredients but they are carefully and thoughtfully mixed with care and include Calendula, Burdock Root, Red Clover blossoms, Oatstraw, Milk Thistle, Dandelion Root, Rosehip, Sarsaparilla Root, Oregon Grape Root, Yellowdock, Chaste Berry, Fig Wort, Cleavers, Licorice Root, Dried Cherries, Cinnamon, Dried Coconut, Chickweed, and Natural Flavors.
You may have heard of some of these before but I would like to highlight a few of the ingredients we don’t tend to see a lot of here at SororiTea Sisters such as Oatstraw, Oregon Grape Root, Yellowdock, Chaste Berry, Fig Wort, and Cleavers.
Cleavers are known for their anti-inflammatory properties as well as Urinary Infection, Water retention, Oedema, Cystitis, Swollen Glands, Tonsilitis, Ulcers, Lumps, Tumours, Eczema, Psoriasis, Boils, Abscesses, Skin irritations, Wounds and Burns. It’s also a friend of the kidneys and liver. Of course, we aren’t making any claims here…just sharing information we have found in our tea and tisane loving journeys in the wonderful world of herbs!
WebMD says that Yellowdock is used for pain and swelling (inflammation) of nasal passages and the respiratory tract, and as a laxative and tonic. It is also used to treat bacterial infections and sexually transmitted diseases. Yellow dock is also sometimes used to treat intestinal infections, fungal infections, and for arthritis.
As for Chaste Berry, Healthline says, It’s most commonly used against premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menstrual disorders, infertility, acne, menopause and nursing difficulties. It’s also touted as protection against insect bites and certain types of cancer and claimed to offer a variety of other health effects. However, not all benefits are backed by science.
Figwort is a natural alternative to a ‘water pill’ and the herb is sometimes applied directly to the skin for skin conditions such as eczema, itching, psoriasis, hemorrhoids, swelling, and rash.
So you can see that this blend of herbs in this herbal tisane is jam-packed with skin-friendly ingredients!
As for the taste – I was pleasantly surprised. With the additional of rosehips, coconut shreds, and cherry this really went above and beyond in superfoods and herbs and overall flavor. It’s just enough sweetness to enjoy both hot or cold.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Urbal Tea
Description
A unique blend of cherry, cinnamon, coconut, and other herbs and roots to help combat skin issues from the inside out.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Sun-Link-Sea Oolong Tea/Fong Mong Tea Shop
Currently Fong Mong Tea has their Spring 2018 Shanlinxi Taiwan Sun-Link-Sea Oolong Tea featured in their shop. It’s a High Mountain Ooolong Loose Leaf.
I haven’t sipped on the Spring 2018 one YET but the Sun-Link-Sea Oolongs from previous years have been stellar!
Gaiwan Style is preferred but in a strainer always seems to get the infusing job done, too! I used about a tablespoon – maybe a little more – and let sit just until the leaves were ‘open’. This is what I like to call a ‘dancing tea’. Yup! You guessed it! The leaves dance around in the cup naturally while uncurling and steeping.
As much as I hate the term ‘mouth-feel’ I don’t really know how to describe the texture of the sip. It’s really quite amazing. It’s smooth, light, refreshing, a tad floral, a little vegetal-sweet, and even a bit fruity-sweet…maybe like a sweeter crab apple.
This tea is just begging me for multiple infusions. Of course, I had to oblige. I infused longer each time and was able to get a solid 3 to 4 infusions out of it. Delicious!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Fong Mong Tea
Description
Located between Xitou and Ali Mountain in central Taiwan – Nantou County, Shanlinxi (Sun-Link-Sea) is famous for its amazing “sun links sea” scenery. Situated at an altitude of approximately 1200 meters, Sun-Link-Sea has an average temperature of 20 degree Celsius all year long. Shanlinxi (Sun-Link-Sea) tea tree mountains, not as high as other high-mountain tea tree ones though, with their distinctive geographic environment, gestate another different fragrance and taste which is another characteristic fine tea of Taiwan high-mountain teas.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Lemongrass Marigold/India’s Tea. . . .
Lemongrass Marigold Green Tea is a traditional Indian tea and is available from several different companies.
Some of the information I found online for this new-to-me blend said the following: The marigold is an esteemed flower and is called “the birth of the sun.” It is regarded as a great detox agent. Lemongrass is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties and is regarded as a headache treatment, while green tea is lauded as a detox agent and a great source of anti-oxidants, as well as possibly assisting with weight loss.
Whether these statements are true or not, what I can tell you is that this is a beautiful blend. It reminds me of a brightly colored sari. The green tea and lemongrass have a vivid green color and the flower petals are bright orange. The smell of the dry leaves is primarily invigorating citrus, bright and sunny.
One teaspoon, low temp, just over two minutes. . . . the perfect steeping parameters! Recommended not going over the two minutes. The green tea and lemongrass are making my tongue puckery and dry. The lemongrass is sparkling and the floral aspect is rather muted to me.
This tea is recommended to pair with things like baklava and rice crackers. Could two things be more different? But I can absolutely see drinking this with rich desserts or with a spicy Indian dinner.
It will definitely stand up to any of it!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: India’s Tea
Description
An indulgent treat for Tea lovers with its startling blend of yellow and soft orange petals of marigold flower along with tangy Lemon grass.
Besides serving as a cuppa, Lemongrass relieves cough and nasal congestion. This brew also captures a hint of marigold- known to be good for your heart and eyes.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!