Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Verdant Tea
Tea Description:
Traditional Earl Grey is a classic, great for every season. With the Earl of Anxi, we start not with a black tea, but with our Master Zhang’s Hand-Picked Tieguanyin to give the bergamot a sweet, bright base and reinforce the floral citrus notes. We draw out the citrus sweetness with a uniquely creamy and rich orange peel, and crystallize the florals into a prominent position with jasmine blossoms.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This is really a unique take on Earl Grey – unique but very enjoyable!
What is so remarkable about this blend is how incredibly balanced it is. This Earl of Anxi has a very balanced fragrance as well as flavor and the result is a very smooth tea. Unbelievably smooth!
Verdant Tea has found a way to balance all that is unique about Earl Grey to create an uncommonly smooth version of the classic tea. First, let’s think about the aroma of an Earl Grey tea, because let’s face it, that’s usually the first thing you notice about Earl Grey … that beautiful scent of bergamot! But the fragrant note of the bergamot is something that is noticeable not just by scent but also distinguishable by taste. That’s why sometimes bergamot in an Earl Grey can come off as “perfume-y” because one not only smells the heady aroma of the bergamot orange but also tastes it. Don’t believe me? Try plugging your nose when you drink Earl Grey and you’ll notice that it tastes different.
The way that the Oolong tea melds with the floral notes of the jasmine and the fruit tones of the orange and goji berry is really remarkable. It is so creamy and fluid. Smooth like silk.
To my recollection, I’ve only tried Frankincense in one or two other teas, but based upon my memory of those experiences, I can taste the Frankincense now. It has a somewhat perfume-ish quality to it, very aromatic and exotic to the nose and to the palate.
The frankincense and saffron offer contrast and balance to the fragrant flavor of the bergamot, as does the jasmine, while the goji berry accentuates the citrus tones. The oolong offers a creamy taste that is the basis for the smooth flavor and texture of the tea. It is the conduit for the incredible smoothness of this tea.
A sweet, beautifully balanced, delicately spiced, exotic cup of tea that is so delightful that it is almost impossible to describe. It is one of those teas that you MUST try to believe. It’s an amazing tea.
Li Li Xiang Anxi Wulong 2013 Oolong Tea from Seven Cups
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Seven Cups
Tea Description:
The name “Li Li Xiang” means each leaf is fragrant. Most versions on the market are made from a blend of several tea bushes such as huang dan, ben shan ,mao xie and tie guan. This year we are excited to introduce Li Li Xiang made purely from leaves of the Tie Guan Yin Bush. Experience the stronger dark chocolate aroma, rich lightly roasted flavor and complex aftertaste of this high quality tea. While this tea’s level of oxidation is similar to other Anxi teas like Monkey Picked, it has undergone more intense roasting in its processing. This stronger roast gives Li Li Xiang a golden liquor color and a flavor that is reminiscent of Anxi’s traditional style. The interesting flavor and affordable price makes this a great everyday wulong tea.
Learn more about this tea here.
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Taster’s Review:
The aroma of the dry leaf of this Li Li Xiang Anxi Wulong 2013 Oolong Tea from Seven Cups was very interesting to me, it had a fragrance that was familiar – smelling of a top-notch Tie Guan Yin Oolong – but, the scent was much more intense than I have experienced with other Tie Guan Yin Oolong teas that I’ve tried. It smelled very lush and “green” but there were also some very intriguing notes of raw chocolate. The brewed tea loses much of this aroma, smelling mostly of vegetation, but there are some faint hints of raw chocolate if I really focus on the scent.
The raw chocolate notes translate – surprisingly! – to the flavor, and what a delightful surprise that was. I’m not sure if it’s because I was smelling the chocolate in the aroma that my palate simply wanted to taste the chocolate but … it still took me aback because I’m not used to experiencing chocolate from a pure Oolong like this.
The vegetal notes are present too, but they meld with the other flavors of the cup. I taste notes of flower and peach, with hints of toasted nut in the distance. There is a creaminess to the cup too. This creaminess reminds me a bit of vanilla, but it’s not quite a sweet as vanilla. I like how the creaminess complements the notes of cacao.
My second cup (infusions 3 and 4) was even more delightful than the first. The vegetal notes are softer now, and the fruit notes are emerging. The floral notes blend in with the fruit notes and I like the flavor that the two produce together. The notes of vanilla remain although this isn’t quite as creamy as the first cup. I’m still noticing the subtle raw cacao notes.
With my third cup (infusions 5 and 6) the flavors were beginning to soften a bit. This is still a very flavorful cup, but, I don’t think that I’ll continue to infuse this tea for a fourth cup. I taste a sweet peach/apricot note mingling with the floral notes. The vanilla is less discernable now, and I taste very little cacao as well.
This is a really wonderful tea. One of the very best Tie Guan Yin I’ve ever tasted!
Anxi Superfine Tie Guan Yin “Iron Goddess” Oolong Tea from Teavivre
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Teavivre
Tea Description:
When mentioned Anxi County, people will spontaneously think of Anxi Tie Guan Yin, “Iron Goddess”. It is well-known both inland and abroad. This Tie Guan Yin is close to forest green in color, has a pure aroma. Meanwhile the liquid of this Oolong tea is transparent and bright, which truly is a feast to the eyes. In taste, this Tie Guan Yin has sweet flavor, long-last fragrance and comfortable sweet aftertaste.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Teavivre is one of those companies that continually impress me with the finest quality teas. This Anxi Superfine Tie Guan Yin “Iron Goddess” Oolong Tea from Teavivre is a perfect example of what I mean.
This tea smells amazing. The dry leaf has a floral and vegetative aroma, and once brewed, the liquid becomes less vegetal and more floral. It’s really very fragrant, and it’s a joy to inhale the fragrance deeply before sipping.
I brewed this tea the same way I would normally approach an Oolong. Using my gaiwan, I first did a quick “awakening” of the tea leaves, allowing them to steep in the hot water for 15 seconds, and then draining off the liquid. Then I steeped the first infusion for 45 seconds, and with each infusion that followed, I added an additional 15 seconds. I combine the first and second infusions to make my first cup, and the third and fourth infusions to make the second cup … and so on.
The first cup is light and crisp. My experience with Tie Guan Yin is to expect a buttery quality, but usually the first cup is lighter in texture and flavor than the subsequent cups. The flavor is sweet and floral, with delicate notes of honey. It’s a nice way to start off with this lovely tea!
Usually, my second cup is my favorite, and that is true with this tea experience as well. The flavor and texture is creamier, but it isn’t a heavy, buttery taste. More like a light touch of butter – imagine steamed, mild tasting green veggies that have been lightly buttered. That is much of what I taste right now … together with a lovely floral tone that is somewhere between honeysuckle and orchid, leaning more toward the orchid than the honeysuckle. Notes of honey-esque sweetness please the taste buds.
The third cup becomes a more unified flavor, where there is less sharpness between the contrasting flavors. The creaminess is more subdued, and the floral tones are lighter, but the cup is still very rewarding. It’s definitely worth the effort to keep on steeping with this tea!
Overall, I found this tea to be a bit more mellow than some of the sharper Tie Guan Yin teas that I’ve tasted. It’s a more refined taste, and I really enjoyed it. As I type this, I see that this tea is currently out of stock … I hope that Teavivre restocks it soon, because it is definitely one you should put on the “gotta try it” list!
Tie Guan Yin (Iron Buddha) Oolong Tea from Driftwood Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Driftwood Teas
Tea Description:
Tie Guan Yin or Iron buddha is perhaps China’s most famous Oolong. We sourced this handmade version from a small farm in Anxi County, in China’s Fujian Province, and believe this to be one of the finest Tie Guan Yins, or even teas, any of us at driftwood have ever tasted.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Lovely!
This Tie Guan Yin (or Iron Buddha) Oolong Tea from Driftwood Teas is one of the nicest of its type that I’ve yet to encounter! I’m only on my first two infusions at the moment, so time (and additional infusions) will tell whether or not that opinion remains intact … but I’m liking what I’m tasting thus far!
This first cup (the combination of infusions one and two, following a quick 10 second rinse) is light, crisp and refreshing. There are floral tones but they are not heavy or inundating, and I think that is what stands out most about this particular Tie Guan Yin … so often the floral tones are so heavy that they muddy the complexity of the cup … I like that I can taste the floral tones but they aren’t overwhelming my palate.
The flavor starts out light with a refreshing sweetness. Towards the end of the sip, I notice a nice, creamy, buttery tone that hits the palate, and lingers for a short time in the aftertaste. No bitterness and a moderate astringency. A very relaxing cup.
In the infusions that follow, the floral tones emerge … but they are still not what I would classify as heavy or inundating. I like that they are subdued and emerge slowly, so that the other notes of this tea can be enjoyed fully.
A really nice Tie Guan Yin … yep … definitely a must try!
Hand Picked Spring Tieguanyin from Verdant Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Verdant Tea
Tea Description:
The complexity of this fresh spring harvest Tieguanyin stands up to the rich flavors of our autumn harvest, and the sweet floral notes of our last spring harvest. Indeed, we must admit that this may be our most exquisite Tieguanyin yet. We sometimes wonder why the farmers part with something so precious, but hope that you will join us in appreciating the new crop.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I suffer from allergies. I actually have the symptoms year round, but when spring comes they are worse. I don’t even have to look at a calender to know when spring is here. I can feel it in my sinuses. Fortunately, I’m able to keep my severe symptoms somewhat controlled using medication that I take every day, and choosing raw, locally harvested honey helps too.
Of course, none of this has to do with this tea. I just thought I’d mention it to explain of the worst part of spring, at least for me. What’s in this cup that sits before me is about what is best about spring: The first harvests of the year! Yay!
I began sipping this before I read the tasting notes on Verdant Tea’s website, and I was surprised to note the vanilla-esque flavor to this tea. It is so strong that if I didn’t know better, I’d swear it had been flavored. The vanilla plays to the natural creamy tones of this tea beautifully, creating a very sumptuous experience for the palate that reminds me of a rich, cream-filled pastry.
Once I get over just how amazing the vanilla notes taste in this cup, I start to explore some of the other flavors. A exotic honey-like taste that is a little more savory than sweet – imagining the flavor of honeysuckle where the savory elements were the focus while the sweet, floral tones were off in the background. And yes, I agree with the aforementioned tasting notes, there is a saffron-like flavor to this as well.
As I near the bottom of this, my first cup, I notice a tingly sensation on my tongue – like the cool, crisp feeling that I’d experience if I were sipping a pure peppermint tea … but without the strong minty taste. There are hints of a mint-like flavor, but, they are quite subtle and almost hidden amongst the other notes of this tea, however the tingly sensation near the finish becomes more pronounced as I sip. Very intriguing!
With the next cup (the results of infusions 3 and 4, combined in one cup) I notice the vanilla tones tapering somewhat. It’s still quite creamy and sweet, however, I find the vanilla and buttery notes seem to have melded to become a sweetened cream taste rather than a distinct vanilla and butter taste. More vegetative notes are emerging now, as well, not really grassy, and not really vegetable, but, more of an herbaceous green kind of taste. The honeysuckle like notes have subsided, and I taste more of a distinct floral note that is more orchid than honeysuckle.
The third cup (the combined fifth and sixth infusions), the creamy tones have disappeared, allowing room for a lighter, crisper cup that tastes very spring-like to me. The floral notes are well-defined, and I taste more fruit notes now than I noticed before. Juicy, sweet fruit notes! The tasting notes from Verdant Tea suggest a mango-like flavor, and I don’t know that I taste mango as much as I taste a very tropical fruit-like flavor, with hints of berry. It is sweet and very refreshing … and it is quite unlike the first cup! I love the flavor transitions of this Tieguanyin!
Really quite an amazing tea!