Pu’erh is a new-ish, mostly unexplored territory to me, so I don’t have a huge range of language to use to describe it, or a lot to compare this particular sample to. That said, ready or not, WE’RE GOING INTO THIS REVIEW.
This is a really deep, wooded, hay-like, rustic taste, like an old barn that’s not in use. (No, like, gross animals. Just the structure and the hay and some age.) Which I really like, actually. It’s calming. There’s also a hint of cocoa here, but it’s not strong. The “candy bar” element, despite the tea’s name, isn’t the forefront.
This tea tastes like being outside and away from society. It tastes like what I imagine living in a Tiny House might be like. Wander around, hook it up to campgrounds in the trees. Sip tea. Work on your art. Look out the window for inspiration. When that inspiration runs out, go to another place.
Is it obvious, here, that I want a Tiny House? In addition to my real house, of course. Which I think is against the whole “GOING TINY” ethos of “less is more.” I just want to go glamping away from my troubles for a while.
This tea seems like the kind of straightforward “tastes good in a simple way” vibe that I would like to attain in more aspects of my life. I’ll enjoy drinking more of it.
Unfortunately, you will not, as it is not currently available at Liquid Proust. It appears, from his most recent blog posts, that he will be whittling down his tea involvement while he gets his MBA.
I’m very happy for his personal development, even though his blends will be missed! He’ll still be around, if you want to befriend him online or get straight teas.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Flavored Puerh
Where to Buy: Liquid Proust
Description
This tea is no longer available but click below for teas that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
#MusicAndTeaMonday: Laoshan Chocolate Genmaicha
It’s #MusicAndTeaMonday and I hope you will join us by posting on your favorite social media! #MusicAndTeaMonday
Today’s #MusicAndTeaMonday pairing is: Laoshan Chocolate Genmaicha from Liquid Proust Teas with song choice of Have Faith In Me by A Day To Remember.
Liquid Proust Teas tend to have unique and inspiring blends that are quickly becoming a favourite of mine. Generally speaking I’m not a flavoured tea fan but if it’s blended well it can be heavenly. From the small collection of LP teas that I have I chose Laoshan Chocolate Genmaicha as it’s sweet, rich and nutty which pairs with my feelings for my chosen song and band. I am a music fan and attend festivals and concerts when I can, A Day To Remember have been a favourite of mine for a few years; and not just because I swoon over the singer.
With the lingering sweetness and rich quality of the Laoshan Chocolate Genmaicha it mimics the lyrics:
“I said I’d never let you go, and I never did
I said I’d never let you fall and I always meant it
If you didn’t have this chance then I never did
You’ll always find me right there, again”
Sipping the tea whilst listening (and looking) at such beauty creates a warmth inside that feels like a hug. The impact of the tea sips making me want more each time until I’m left with a chocolate and dry, nut aftertaste and an empty mug. A sigh follows before I’m back with reality yet I still feel that when Jeremy McKinnon says he will always be there I believe him and that leads to a smile.
I hope you enjoy my #MusicAndTeaMonday pairing!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea and Oolong Tea
Where to Buy: Liquid Proust Teas
Description:
Ingredients: Laoshan gongfu black tea, Laoshan roasted oolong, jasmine rice, wild rice grown in Minnesota, cocoa nibs
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Dark Chocolate Oolong from Liquid Proust Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Liquid Proust Teas (No Longer Listed)
Tea Description:
Ingredients: Roasted Oolong, Cocoa, Flavoring
Learn more about this tea on Steepster.
Taster’s Review:
This is one of Andrew, from Liquid Proust Teas, crazy ideas but one which certainly looked interesting to me. I can’t actually remember ever trying a mind blowing chocolate oolong and so the possibility of this tea filling that whole intrigued me a lot! The dry leaf looks really interesting; and it has a soft, sweet cocoa smell and some floral notes too.
Hmm, this didn’t brew up to be the most appetizing smelling or aesthetically beautiful. It’s very murky/cloudy looking, and I get the impression it may have an oilier mouthfeel. However, the really concerning thing is the aroma of the liquor coming from the cup: it’s like the most floral oolong smell I’ve ever come across mixed with mildew and wet dog? And I know that’s harsh – but honestly that’s what I’m smelling and it’s making me gag just a little bit.
The weird thing is that it actually doesn’t taste bad; and I don’t know if I’ve ever come across a tea with such a disconnect between the taste and smell since those two senses are so incredibly intertwined. I mean it’s certainly not the delicious cocoa tea I was expecting but it’s actually nice enough. There are very strong nutty notes and then more medium notes of burnt toast and cocoa in the body of the sip. There are also subtle moss and floral notes. I don’t really like the way the more natural/floral notes pair with the toasty notes and sweet cocoa – it’s kind of like some sort of unholy Frankenstein’s monster of tea.
I’m gonna call it; this is the first offering from Liquid Proust that I dislike – I could probably handle it if, when I went in for a sip, I didn’t have to smell the steeped tea but that just kills it for me. That said, every other review I’ve read has been favourable so if you get the chance to sample this I encourage trying it and forming your own opinion. It’s just not for me.
Elixir #9 (Peachy Oolong) From Liquid Proust Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Liquid Proust Teas (On Etsy)
Tea Description:
Ingredients: Green oolong (Vietnamese Tung Ting), peach blossoms, flavoring.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Finally trying the last of the tea samples that Andrew, from Liquid Proust Teas, was nice enough to send my way. Over on Steepster I’ve posted this review as well – and there it has some special significance as well as it’s my 3000th ‘tasting note’ on that site. I really wanted to celebrate my involvement in the Steepster community by drinking a tea made by someone also engaged within the Steepster community not just as a ‘creator’ but as a consumer as well.
The base for this tea is a Tung Ting/Dong Ding, which is a type of oolong I find pretty enjoyable though not one I drink as regularly as other types. The infused leaf was just gorgeous; long, full olive green leaves with a nicely bruised and oxidized red rim around the edge of the leaf. I tried to show my mother, who was watching me brew the tea but she just didn’t understand the beauty of that.
With both Western Style infusions I ended up doing, I found that more than anything else that I could taste the base tea. It was very fragile/delicate overall with an initial sweet flavour with almost a ‘leather’ or gentle smoke note, but then evolved into this super fragrant and aromatic floral tea with very bright, round notes of lily or possibly lilac to a lesser extent. There was also a smooth, silky vanilla-like sweetness as well especially in the end of the sip/long lingering aftertaste.
I could also taste the peach blossom as just this extra ‘floral’ flavour with a little bit of honey and generic fruit sweetness. Sometimes I forget that, unlike orange blossoms, peach blossoms don’t exactly taste ‘peachy’. I do wish this had been peachier, though – with a name that contains both “Elixir” and “Peachy” I expected both a more vibrant, rich fruity taste as well as something distinctly peach. That said, this was a very calm, delicious tea and I did really enjoy drinking it.