I can’t remember the last time I drank a Tie Guan Yin, which is something of a surprise as it’s become one of my favourite oolong varieties. I was more than pleased when I came across this one, not least because it’s a good opportunity to reacquaint myself. This particular Tie Guan Yin is from the Anxi Nature Reserve in Fujian Province, a major Chinese tea growing region (although one I seem to associate more with black tea than with oolong, strangely enough!)
I used 1 tsp of leaf for my cup, and gave it 3 minutes in water slightly cooled from boiling. The resulting liquor is a clear, pale green with a light yellowish tinge. The leaves are beautifully variegated, encompassing pretty much all shades of green from the palest to the darkest, and just a hint of brown. It’s like walking through a forest in the sunlight! The leaves are rolled, and after three minutes they haven’t entirely unfurled, suggesting that this one might be good for at least another couple of steeps.
The scent of the brewed tea is light but noticeably floral. It reminds me primarily of orchids, lilies, and jasmine – heady, scent-heavy flowers. This carries through into the taste, which initially is very heavily floral. So floral, it almost tastes thick. It doesn’t cross over into territory that’s too perfumey or cloying, but it’s definitely distinctively floral. The mid-sip brings a green beany sweetness that helps to freshen up the overall flavour profile, and towards the end of the sip there’s a hint of nuttiness that puts me very much in mind of hazelnuts. It’s an interesting flavour combination, but one that ultimately works well.
I’m also pleased to find that it very smooth in terms of mouthfeel, with an almost-silkiness about it. There’s no bitterness or astringency at all,
even though the water was quite hot and the brew time reasonably long. As the cup cools, it develops a creaminess that complements the flavours (and particularly the lingering nuttiness) beautifully.
This reacquaintance with a Tie Guan Yin has reminded me why I enjoyed these teas so much in the first place. I’m impressed with the quality of this tea, and I’ll definitely be checking out more of Teasenz’s offerings in the future. Impressed!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Teasenz
Description
An all-time favorite of Chinese oolong tea lovers. This beautiful emerald green tea is named after the Chinese Goddess of Mercy, Guan Yin. Poets of the Middle Kingdom have described this premium tea for its purifying taste, bringing you into a peaceful, meditative state of mind.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Holistic Hearts (Black) Tea from Beleave Teas
Holistic Hearts (Black) Tea from Beleave Teas is the second tea I have had from this company and I have to say both impressions have been positive ones! As soon as I opened the package of this Holistic Hearts (Black) Tea from Beleave Teas I could smell a fruity yet crusty combo – much like a jelly croissant! As you can see from the photo above Holistic Hearts (Black) Tea from Beleave Teas comes in the shape of hearts.
My first infusion of this Holistic Hearts (Black) Tea from Beleave Teas was a lighter to medium black tea liquor in the cup and a semi-sweet and bit of fruity notes on the first few sips. I knew this would be a black tea I would want to infuse multiple times and I am glad I did. I actually prefer my second cup of Holistic Hearts (Black) Tea from Beleave Teas to the first because it was stronger!
The second infusion was much more hardy, more strong, more malty, and a deeper flavor all around. It was like I was drinking to completely different teas and I am ok with that. I love doing a compare and contrast with the multiple infusions.
With the third infusion the tea color was much like the first infusion but the flavor was somewhere in between the first and third infusion taste-wise. The differences in the taste in the third infusion that I didn’t notice in prior infusions was the creamier maltiness rather than a hardy maltiness.
This Holistic Hearts (Black) Tea from Beleave Teas is a real thinker. I like that in a tea. One that makes you think. One that forces you to take your time. Sometimes we all need that, don’t we?
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Beleave Teas
Description:
Dark Tea and rose petals from the Hunan province of China are compressed into single cup heart shaped pieces. Very smooth with a natural sweetness. Probiotic tea.
Learn more about this tea here.
Venetian Rose from Chash Tea
Venetian Rose from Chash Tea was the tea that started my day a few weeks ago! And let me tell you – it was a mighty fine way to start the day!
With black teas from India, China, and Sri Lanka paired with rosebuds – how could you go wrong? Venetian Rose from Chash Tea smells and tastes just like you think it would based on those ingredients! It has a medium strength black tea base and mild to slightly-medium rose flavor to it. It feels great on the tongue and on the throat! It leaves a lovely floral aftertaste, too!
Eventho I sipped on Venetian Rose from Chash Tea for my morning tea – I think this would be ideal for afternoon tea as well! This is completely delightful and satisfying in every way! If you are looking for a gently flavored and scented black tea try Venetian Rose from Chash Tea.
Here’s the Scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Chash Tea
Description:
Venetian Rose from Chash Tea. We select choice black teas from India, China and Sri Lanka
To complement the tea we add lots of delicate and fragrant rose buds
Full-bodied and rich; warm yet light; comforting and relaxing
Enjoy with or without milk
Learn more about this tea and tea company here.
Superfine Keemun Mao Feng Black Tea from Teavivre
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: TeaVivre
Tea Description:
- Original Place: Qi men County, Anhui
- Tree Species: Zhuye
- Appearance: black, tightly twisted tea leaves interweave with tight and straight tips
- Flavor: smells of naturally sweet and a flower aroma, smooth and fresh. It also produces a rich flavor with the subtle undertones of delicately aged tea.
- Tea Liquid: reddish in color; at the surface of tea water a golden loop appears along the circle of inner side of tea cup.
- Spent Leaves: bright brown in color, shiny and neat
Keemum Mao Feng, one special variety of Keemun black tea origins from Qi Men County in Anhui province of China, has famous reputation for its peculiar aroma and shape. It has also been made widely familiar as one of the four world’s best black tea. It is carefully processed so that the shape of the tea leaves resemble that of the Mao Feng Green Tea. This is why it got the name “Keemum Mao Feng“.
With the thin and twisted strips of tea leaves and peculiar aroma (fruity mixed with orchid-like), those russet interwoven tea leaves look neat and taste wonderful.
Aroma and Taste
With fresh, finer selections of tea leaves and traditional style processing method, this Keemum Mao Feng Black Tea do have floral notes in the aroma that could mature to a deeper, fruit-tone fragrance. This is the very tea you have been looking for.
Appearance
Once the tea leaves and buds are harvested, those tender leaves are sorted out by hand to create a premium Keemun tea. The selected leaves then go through an elaborate fermentation process which changes the color of the leaves from green to a deep dark brown or brownish-black color.
Where is TeaVivre’s Keemun black tea produced
Huangshan Mountain lies in the south of Anhui Province, circling from east towards west.
Mountain regions occupies 90% of its total area, with an average elevation around 600 meters. Tea gardens mainly spread in valleys between the elevation of 100 to 350 meters. Forests take an percentage of 80% of its total area. Day and night temperature here ranges greatly, while with cloudy climate and short time of daylight, forming a suitable environment for tea’s growth. This Keemun Fragrant Black Tea TeaVivre chose is from the tea base in Huangjing Village, Boxi Township.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
TeaVivre ‘never ceases to amaze me’ so I shouldn’t have been shocked to enjoy Superfine Keemun Mao Feng Black Tea from Teavivre! I can’t decide if I like this tea better piping hot or cooled naturally at room temperature or even iced. All 3 options are great! It’s a very flavorful tea without it being flavored with anything. By that I mean…the black tea leaves have character and class all on their own.
Superfine Keemun Mao Feng Black Tea from Teavivre is a medium strength black tea that is somewhat fragrant but just when you think you are smelling hints of flowers it switches it up to hints of fruit. Regardless – it’s delightful! The taste follows suit. It has a nice ‘even steven’ ratio of floral, fruity, nutty, and cakey, even!
This tea – Superfine Keemun Mao Feng Black Tea from Teavivre – keep you guessing – but – keeps you satisfied that is for sure! This is a a real winner!
Organic Nonpareil She Qian Dragon Well Long Jing Green Tea from Teavivre
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: Teavivre
Tea Description:
Growing area:Tiantai Mountain, Zhejiang, ChinaSeason:Spring TeaHarvest date:March 23, 2016Dry leaf:Uniform flattened tea leaves, mostly bud with unopened tiny leafAroma:Sweet floral, chestnutLiquor:Pale yellowish greenTaste:Smooth, sweet and brisk; no hint of bitterness; aftertaste of this tea is pleasant lingeringTea Tree species:Jiukeng tea tree speciesTea garden:Cangshan Organic Tea GardenCaffeine:Low caffeine (less than 10% of a cup of coffee)Storage:Store in airtight, opaque packaging; keep refrigeratedShelf Life:18 Months
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Organic Nonpareil She Qian Dragon Well Long Jing Green Tea from Teavivre is today’s tea of choice for me and it’s a good one! This is a mighty fine Dragon Well that is for sure! Organic Nonpareil She Qian Dragon Well Long Jing Green Tea from Teavivre is sweet, clean, crisp, and has a pleasant, satisfying linger and aftertaste.
Organic Nonpareil She Qian Dragon Well Long Jing Green Tea from Teavivre is delightful as a hot cuppa or a cold one. I bet this would also be a good green tea base for those who like to mix and mingle teas and flavors.
The best part? This Organic Nonpareil She Qian Dragon Well Long Jing Green Tea from Teavivre has NO bitterness what-so-ever! It’s a very forgiving green tea, too, so if you over infuse you won’t have to worry about a bitter cup! This is a great tea for those new to green teas as well as those who have loved green teas for YEARS.