Time and time again I have shared my preference against white teas, specifically bai mu dan and shou mei teas. I don’t like the floral notes nor the soapy quality they can often have. If I am going to have a white tea, I tend to reach for either a White Rhino because it tends to be more robust like a black tea, or a Silver Needle.
I also have now tried a few What-Cha teas and been pleased with all of them.That is why when I came across this What-Cha Kenya Silver Needle White Tea, I had to give it a try.
Following the recommended steeping parameters, I brewed this for 2 minutes at 175 degrees. I was left with a pale and translucent liquid, typical of a white tea.
This tea boasts sweet notes of corn and it delivers, despite the packaging suggesting that this is best before June 2017. It’s so simple and yet so good. Flavorful without being in your face which means it is a tea that can be reached for again and again without becoming tired or boring.
I don’t reach for white teas often, especially straight white teas but when I come across Silver Needles like this, I am reminded that they can make a pleasant alternative to all the dessert and fruity teas I usually drink.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White Tea
Where to Buy: What-Cha
Description
A very sweet and smooth silver needle with notes of melon and sweetcorn without any traces of bitterness or astringency.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Cucumber Mint Limeade White Tea from 52Teas. . . .
White teas and I have been best friends as of late. And this tea is the reason why.
I love the fresh flavors that a lime can bring to a beverage or really food in general. Add in the refreshing flavors of mint, crisp notes of cucumber, and soft subtle floral base of a white tea, and you have yourself a tea to remember.
Because this is a white flavored tea, I prepped this tea up at 170F and allowed to steep for about 4 minutes. After that, I allowed the tea to cool for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to settle in. The first flavor you really get from this tea is the spearmint. Refreshing and cooling. A lovely burst of minty freshness without being too overpowering.
After the initial mint blast, the other flavors start to take shape. I can’t say that I can pinpoint the cucumber but I can pick up the limeade and base white tea flavors and that combination is insanely delicious. Such a bright and vibrant blend of flavors. Almost like a mug of sunshine waiting for you to indulge in. I personally can’t get enough of the lime and spearmint flavor combo with a white tea twist added in for good measure.
This tea is hands down one of the best takes on a limeade tea that I’ve had. And I’ve tried several. This is one of those teas that I have literally emailed 52Teas to ask how much inventory do they have left so I can gobble up the remaining pouches. Luckily for me, 52Teas was able to come up with a few more pouches for me to enjoy but I will sadly be finished with those shortly.
Because that is the heart breaker of it all with falling in love with a tea from 52Teas. I fell in love with this tea from the first to final sip of each cuppa. And sadly, unless I beg our friend Anne to re blend the tea or she happens to re blend the tea, this tea will always be in my heart but that will be it.
Let’s cross our fingers for a reblend because this is just the sort of tea that will help with those winter time blues!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Description
This tea is no longer available but click below for teas that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Cucumber Berry Lemonade from A Quarter To Tea. . . .
I can pretty much always count on A Quarter to Tea for incredible blends. For real– I belong to another tea of the month club that I just adore, but AQTT’s is the one that I pick up when I REALLY want to treat myself and have some super quirky and fun blends that I wouldn’t normally try out– enter this Cucumber Berry Lemonade white tea blend!
First things first: this blend came with REAL, DRIED CUCUMBER in it. You guys. I just can’t get over how cool it was to see a legit slice of cuke in my tea. The freeze-dried berries were slightly less plentiful, but the lemongrass was abundant. And was it ever noticeable in this blend! Of course I iced this one, and it was absolutely delightful. The brew was reminiscent of that ubiquitous “spa water”– you know, served in fancy glass dispensers with slices of lemon and cucumber floating around like they own the place– that stuff. It’s crisp and clean and fresh, from the cucumber. It’s lemony and bright, from the lemongrass. It’s tart and fruity, from the berries. It’s everything I dreamed it’d be by name alone, and more! It’s delicious enough cold-brewed with nothing added, but a tiny splash of lemonade to finish takes it over the top.
Again, AQTT knocks it out of the park!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
Tart lemonade with sweet berries and cooling cucumber. Definitely one to try iced!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Red Wine Apple Cake from A Quarter To Tea. . . .
Friends, there’s no question that we here at SororiTea Sisters love us some A Quarter to Tea. (I feel like I can speak for us all. I may be speaking out of turn, but… have you *seen* our AQTT archives? I rest my case.) I’ve recently renewed my AQTT subscription box to be a monthly thing, and not just a “whenever I feel like it”, because I have to say– I don’t think I’ve ever gotten a bad blend from the brilliant minds in AQTT’s blending room.
Now– when this particular blend (red wine apple cake? Who’d even heard of such a thing?!) showed up at my doorstep last month, I wavered a little bit. Would this be the blend that steered me wrong? I’m not typically a white tea drinker, and it takes a LOT for me to be impressed by a white blend. I shouldn’t have worried, though, you guys. Even on sniff alone, this tea is impressive. Big chunks of apple are strewn throughout the bountiful white leaves, boasting deep apple-and-grape-y notes that translate just beautifully to the brewed cup. This one is heartier than most white teas, and that’s probably why I love it so. The only thing I can’t quite pick out are the “cake” notes– which, let’s be real: when someone tells me there’s cake (in my tea, at work, on my birthday/any random tuesday), I want CAKE. This one’s a bit lighter, and lacking on the pastry notes I’ve usually come to know well from AQTT’s blends. That said, I don’t necessarily think it’s a bad thing– in fact, I think cakey, pastry flavors may have overwhelmed the beautifully fruity notes otherwise present in this blend.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
This tea is currently not available but click below for teas that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Blueberry Pie from DAVIDs Tea. . . .
Blueberry pie. If I am being honest, I don’t think I have ever had it. I have had Apple Pie, Strawberry Rhubarb Pie, Pecan Pie, even Bumbleberry Pie which I believe has blueberries in it. Never Blueberry Pie. I do like the sounds of it though and I am all on board for pie teas so this Blueberry Pie tea from TeaTaxi seemed like a winner. I would prefer if it weren’t a white tea though, at least that’s how I feel going into this even before trying the tea as my usual preference is for non-white bases. Also, seeing no blueberries in the leaf was a bit disappointing. However, you never know until you try…
What I will say is the lack of blueberries in the leaf does nothing to lessen the blueberry flavor in the hot tea. It is definitely present. More than just present, it is at the forefront of this tea. And it is not just fresh blueberry flavor either. Instead it is the rich and sweet flavor of pie filling…blueberry pie filling (or at least what I imagine blueberry pie filling to taste like). Alas, at least for me, the white base takes away from the flavoring. That can be due to my personal bias against white teas, especially the heavily floral white teas of Bai Mu Dan (White Peony) and Shou Mei. The base does contribute a bit of a baked good vibe due to the hay and wheat-like notes, but the floral component takes over at the end of the sip and leaves a potpurri-type flavor in the aftertaste.
I had extra leaf so I tried making this iced as well. Unfortunately, the blueberry flavor I enjoyed in the hot cup seems to have subsided and is lingering in the bottom of the sip acting as more of a base for the floral, and almost bitter base, instead of the star of the tea. As such, I don’t recommend this method.
I think this tea exceeded some of my expectations and met others. In the hot tea, the blueberry flavor was better than I thought it would be while the base was as I anticipated. Consequently, I enjoyed this tea well enough, but don’t think I will be seeking it out again. It was worth a try though and for those that enjoy blueberry pie AND white teas, this might be something you should check out.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: DAVIDs Tea
Description
This tea is no longer on the site but click below for teas that are.