Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Handmade Tea
Tea Description:
For this blend I wanted to bring together something sweet, fresh, and light. Taking a cue from the beer industry, I wanted to create something very seasonal. I’ve been wanting to use hops in a blend for months and it took a lot of experimenting but I believe we have a hoppily delightful April blend. PLease, enjoy Hoppiness is Happiness from Handmade Tea.
Happiness is Hoppiness consists of a pan-fried green tea which is subtle, sweet, and fresh. Next we added apricots for a fruity, sweet flavor. Lastly this blend contains common hops for a bright, grassy, and bitter punch to the palate. The hops and green tea work together to build that super fresh and bright flavor with the apricots sweeten the blend up and help round out the flavor.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
When I received Hoppiness is Happiness from Handmade Tea I nearly squealed. Some of you may know I love hops in tea. I have had a couple custom blended just so that I could get my hop fix in a tea blend. I was thrilled to see that I am not the only one who loves a hoppy tea!
Now this is a good tea. Its a bit on the lighter side than I would prefer but its not lacking in flavor, I would just have liked it a bit stronger in the flavor department. One thing that is bothering me to no end however is the term “common hop”. Call me a hop elitist but there are so many wonderful types of hops, each imparting a different flavor into beer, or tea, or whatever it is used in. I am just not sure if this is a mixture of many different hops, or if it is a specific type of hop. Generally the term “common hop” is used to describe any number of hops used in beer brewing, and now sometimes tea blending. I would love to know specifically which type was used in this blend. Caleb of Handmade Tea is a nice guy and almost always available for chat on his website, so I may have to pick his brain on this one soon.
I will say the hops in this blend are large, some whole. That may or may not be a good thing, depending upon the type of hop being used. Some hops may require a bit of breaking down to release the potential flavor. Regardless, the tea does have hoppiness to it but it by no means too hoppy, or so hoppy that the average tea drinker would wrinkle their nose at the flavor imparted in this tea.
The apricot in the tea is what really shines. I can taste its sweet fruitiness well, and the pan-fried green tea is lovely as a base. I have found I prefer this tea when cold and it will make a lovely addition to my summer iced tea stash.
A big thanks to Caleb for always thinking out of the box and making us some unique blends to savor!
You can check out his monthly tea subscription plans here.
Doke Organic Silver Needle Second Flush from Driftwood Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: Driftwood Tea
Tea Description:
This second flush Doke Organic Silver Needle White Tea shows how this family run garden is constantly innovating (Chinese Silver Needles are only harvested once per year). Like most second flush pickings these loose leaves are slightly darker yet, here this simply concentrates the delicious white tea flavours – a truly extraordinary Silver Needle tea.
Key Flavours: Soft dried fruits – apricots and peaches – hints of straw and a delicate sweet long lasting aftertaste.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Doke Organic Silver Needle Second Flush from Driftwood Tea offers a crisp, clean, and juicy sweet cup.
It seems that it has been a long time since I reviewed a white tea, or at least a straight white tea. This tea from Driftwood is a nice reintroduction to a quality white tea.
The mouthfeel is what I can only describe as medium, not light yet not heavy, it is somewhat brothy but it has a very nice cleansing effect on the palate.
There is a slight drying sensation in the after effect of the sip.
The natural sweetness is delicious but I find the fruity notes very light, more apricot than peach on my palate.
The straw note is stronger than the fruit note but it is a sweet straw which makes for a contemplative cup.
This tea is quite grounding and I find it would be good for meditation relaxation.
I must admit this is not my all time favorite tea from Driftwood tea, but then again they have so many teas I have throughly loved, and obviously white tea is not something I drink a lot of. I enjoy it, but have to be in the mood for a straight white tea.
With that said, this is a very unique white and I respect that Driftwood Tea takes such great care in selecting cherished teas for us to purchase.
You can read more about Driftwood Tea and its founder, James Henderson Robe, here.
Oriental Beauty (Dong Fang Mei Ren) from Driftwood Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Driftwood Teas
Tea Description:
Oriental Beauty is also know by several other names including: Dong Fang Mei Ren; White Tip Oolong; and Champagne Oolong. Whatever name it goes by this is perhaps Taiwan’s most special tea and cited by many connoisseur as one of the world’s finest.
Key Flavours: Ripe fruits, honey and sweet muscatel notes combine with hints of warming spices and exotic woods.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Oriental Beauty (Dong Fang Mei Ren) from Driftwood teas does what Oriental Beauty always does for me, surprises me. I am always taken aback by this tea because I adore oolong, but this is never what I expect an oolong to be! This tea is light, sweet, and fruity, with notes that lean toward muscatel, and juicy peach.
Then we have the woody and spicy notes that come forward but very subtle on the spice more strong on the woodsy notes. I do love the wood notes in this tea, it feels so natural and wonderful and makes me long to go hiking!
One thing that is a bit different from this Oriental Beauty is that the honey notes are really thick, as in lay in the back of your throat thick, and so wonderfully sweet. Also unlike some Oriental Beauty this tea does not have that drying sensation in the back of the throat. The tea coats the throat and lingers lightly with honey kissed floral notes.
I can’t mention enough how lovely these wood notes are and with the honey sweetness, and that light touch of floral and spice. This may be one of my favorite Oriental Beauty oolongs, yet I find myself saying that in almost every review I do of Oriental Beauty. Yet then I say that I normally do not gravitate toward lighter oolong. Maybe I am changing in that aspect.
Driftwood Tea certainly does bring us a wonderful example of a high quality Dong Fang Mei Ren with a light smooth taste and mouthfeel. Light, yet so very flavorful! You won’t be wishing for more flavor because this tea has it all from woodsy, sweet, fruity, spiced, and, muscatel, almost in a Darjeeling way, to apricot and floral notes.
This is truly a tea to savor through multiple steeps Gong Fu style!
Oriental Beauty Cake from The Mountain Tea Company
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: The Mountain Tea Company
Tea Description:
It’s no wonder this tea is also called Champagne Oolong. This Oriental Beauty in compressed cake form tastes of apricots, thick with honeyed spice. Simply break off a piece and enjoy. 3.8 oz
Other names: Champagne Oolong, Formosa Fancy Oolong, Braggart’s Tea – Peng Feng Cha – 椪風茶, White Tip Oolong – Bai Hao Oolong – 白毫乌龙, Dong Fang Mei Ren – 东方美人
Water: 85°C
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Oriental Beauty Cake from The Mountain Tea Company is one of the prettiest teas I have ever seen, let alone the pretties cake I have ever seen! There is also a lovely story about this tea’s creation and discovery here.
Well to begin this is an organic tea so points for that! Furthermore it is a pressed oolong yet has a distinctive pu’er flavor profile. Perhaps the pressing of this tea into a cake is only for presentation and novelty but I swear that in doing so it has manifested itself into a more earthy tea like a pu’er. Whatever the case may be – my imagination or reality, this is such a wonderful cup.
I will confess, I am getting a bit of a tea high while sipping on it. Either that or I just need a nap but I am feeling quite laid back and cozy in this sipping moment.
The aroma is a sensory explosion! Sweetly floral, and fruity, peppery notes, and the aroma of a wooded place. The aftertaste is so very familiar – what IS that flavor? Savory, vegetal, something buttered perhaps, GAH what is it? … Squash, Zucchini perhaps. I will come back to that another time it may drive me batty. It is delicious regardless!
I am surprised at just how bold this cup is. There is only a slight touch of astringency to it, but I like it as it has this slight bite then changes into that mystery flavor I was trying to pin point above.
I do also pick out notes of fruits, honey, and spices. It is in a way reminiscent of spending a day at the farmers market or maybe something a little more extravagant like a Moroccan market perhaps.
Ah the second infusion really brings forth the fruit notes! Now I get that raisin note that another reviewer had mentioned on Steepster!
I had got distracted while doing this review and came back to a very cold cup of tea and you know what. Its really good!
This really is not what I generally gravitate toward in an oolong but when I don’t think of it as an oolong I love it. Okay I love it even when trying to see it as an oolong. I think the point I am trying to make is, is that if someone handed me a cup of this I would think it either a black tea with some excellent layers in the flavor notes or perhaps a pu’er. I would be very confused.
I am also pretty sure this is the type of oolong served at a couple of the local Asian buffets here local to me. Now granted I do not think they are near this level of quality of an Oriental Beauty Oolong but hey at least its not Liptons!
So in closing I must say I am excited, surprised, confused, intoxicated, and wooed by this tea. I look forward to many many more steepings and sessions to come with this beautiful cake!
Kudos to The Mountain Tea Company for always having some of the best teas!
Oh and if you order from The Mountain Tea Company be sure to look for the button on their item pages that says “Tweet for Discount” if you have a twitter account you can get a code for 5% off your purchase.
Amaretto Matcha (White Base) from Red Leaf Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White Matcha
Where to Buy: Red Leaf Tea
Tea Description:
Amaretto, with its distinct taste can be made truly special by adding a spalsh of exotic oriental Matcha. The resulting Amaretto Matcha has a new fresh flavor that is more heightened and very pleasurable for the adventurous palate. When wanting to make many snacks or desserts to stand out in an assortment of their equals, adding a touch of this exceptional Matcha treat can both surprise and delight it many takers with its sweet sharp taste. With Amaretto Matcha, any culinary delight can be a special experience in new tastes and adventures for the palate.
Although Amaretto Matcha can be restricted to mainly adults, it is very adaptable depending on the quantity and where it is being used. Its hint of almonds and apricots can make it acquire a large following of delighted fans. In any social setting this delectable treat can quickly become the party favorite because of its deeply satisfying taste and flavor. Its mellowing effect makes it the perfect early evening treat when a person just wants to unwind and rewind the successes of their busy day. Amaretto Matcha can be considered the silver lining in any day where a healthy boost of tastiness is required to turn it around.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This matcha flavor is very true to the Amaretto Liquor without the heavy liquor aroma or flavor / burn. I know that may not make a lot of sense. Alcohol has a burn to it, a warmth, and its own aroma as well as flavor. What I am trying to evoke is that with this matcha you get everything you would expect from a true amaretto flavor without the alcohol. I probably should have just said it like that.
Regardless, this is an excellent flavor selection.
Now I got mine in a white base. I prefer green matcha base in all flavors I have tried thus far, and I have tried a lot of them. However it is nice to have a couple of your favorite flavors in white base for when you want a matcha in the evening like I did today.
The white base does not mix as easily. I will say that. It takes a bit more whisk work than green, and does not whisk up as frothy. Other than that, there is no problem with a white matcha base. It just takes a tad bit more effort.
If you are not familiar with Amaretto flavor it is predominantly nutty. Amaretto is made with almonds and apricot, specifically the pits. Interesting isn’t it! I love fresh apricots but care for only a few apricot flavored teas. I love amaretto matcha! Now with that said I personally do not detect much if any of an apricot flavor in amaretto, this or any other amaretto. To me its more of what the blend of almond and apricot creates which is something wonderful unto itself.
I grew up in the 70’s and 80’s and if you are from that time era you may recall the oh so often sipped on Amaretto Sour. I used to drink those down like water. That however is another story. The point is this matcha flavor is excellent, in a white base, green base, or for the more adventurous, Red Leaf Tea also offers oolong, and black tea bases as well.