Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Verdant Tea
Tea Description:
“This wild-picked Golden Fleece is an exquisite lesson in texture, and one of the truest flavor embodiments of Yunnan itself. . . .This is the finest, most nuanced and intriguing Dian Hong we have ever encountered. Wang Yanxin, our sourcing agent who has devoted her life to Yunnan, has been searching for a Dian Hong like this for years. Every time she sends us pu’er, she includes 30-40 Dian Hong teas, and Jin Jun Mei teas. This time, she only sent us one, and wrote on the bag “this is the one. Best Dian Hong. Taste slowly.” She was so very right.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I have had Golden Fleece from Verdant Tea since it was released on Verdant Tea website. I actually ordered it twice because the first order was gone in a flash. I had thought I would save the second bag I bought and hoard it, but the fact is tea is best when fresh, and I would not want to deprive myself of enjoying this tea while still fresh, let alone deprive the tea of giving off the best cup possible. So I have opened my second bag and I am enjoying it daily until it is gone. When it is gone I will most likely purchase another bag if it is still available on the Verdant web site. As of right now it is still available so if you are tempted by this tea – get some while you still can!
This is everything that could be desired in a black tea, especially in a morning cup. It is toasty, creamy, and the aroma is one that will wet your appetite for breakfast or sustain you and give you all the flavors that a calorie ridden decedent breakfast would. Everything you will find in the aroma, you will also find in the flavor. There is a malty, maple flavor, along with a fresh hay laying in the morning sunrise dew flavor, a spun sugar flavor, a subtle vanilla flavor, and a cocoa flavor. That is just on the top levels of this tea!
Once you relish in those beautiful top note flavors you will find yourself emerged into a world of sweet spices, such as cinnamon, clove, and even a taste of paprika.
The mouthfeel is like that of silk or satin, creamy and luxurious. It offers a very full mouthfeel indeed!
This tea can be steeped many times offering new layers and flavors in each cup which is always quite enjoyable and my preferred method of brewing (gong fu style). However, if you want your first cup to be richer, fuller, creamier, or just don’t feel like fussing with a gong fu sitting, by all means enjoy it western brewed as you can’t go wrong with this tea. You will still get two to three steeps out of it western style. Its just such a fine tea however you may find yourself feeling that gong fu brewing is a must. I prefer drinking this tea on weekends when I can take a bit more time in the mornings and go at a slower pace, enjoying up to eight or more steeps.
There are other wonderful flavor notes to find in this tea – some of the base notes I find are mushroom, oak moss, rock mineral, and wood. There is a dry finish to this tea which is due to the base notes.
According to Verdant’s Website: “ Instead, this is a subtle experience that will appeal to lovers of fine oolong and pu’er.”
I could not agree more! I myself am a lover of oolong and pu’er so they are absolutely correct as I fully appreciate this fine black tea.
I always say that good tea, which is defined by each of us alone, should evoke a thought, a feeling, or a memory, and for me this tea evokes the thoughts and feelings of friends, family, good times, warmth, and love. This is why I have chosen this tea for my Christmas Time Tea and why my review of it is posted today, Christmas Day. I will be enjoying this tea all day today as I spend cherished moments, and make forever memories, with my family and friends.
Merry Christmas to all.
Jade Oolong from The Mountain Tea Company
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: The Mountain Tea Company
Tea Description:
Our Jade Oolong is a light-medium bodied tea that yields a buttery, pale-green liquor. We taste strong notes of cream and sweet corn.
Very well known among tea drinkers this semi-oxidized tea from the mountainous region of Nantou, Taiwan has a delightful flowery aroma, brisk flavor, smooth body, and fruity finish, all of which combine to make this a pantry stocker.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Ohhhh Yes!! This is one of those teas that makes me realize how far I have come as a tea drinker. I remember not too long ago I began my loose leaf journey somewhat haphazardly. I was rather lucky to start off with some really good loose leaf teas but stumbled across a few that were subpar. Along my journey I have went up a few hills and down a few hills, but at the summit of this Mountain Tea is where all good things are found! A tea like this makes me appreciate how far I have come as a tea drinker and what a truly excellent tea experience feels like. Yes, feels like, not just tastes like. A truly excellent tea will make you feel something, be it excited, or refreshed, or soothed, some emotion accompanies the tea drinking experience, and sipping this tea is an experience.
Jade, from The Mountain Tea Company, is a delight! Fresh and refreshing, yet buttery and soothing. Vegetal green notes with the essence of steamed corn on the palate are some of the flavors that just spring forward. The after taste is lingering and delicious. There is somewhat of a high or tea drunk feeling that sneaks in rather quickly with this one. Things just slow down around you. I find myself not quite so annoyed by my doggies incessant barking at the neighbor’s dog, not quite so bothered by the television blasting noise from the other room, not quite so anxious. Through all that noise I rather am picking up on the birds chirping happily outside, the sun is streaming into the house more brightly, and I just feel peaceful.
Isn’t it amazing how this little leaf, from a simple plant, can make something so delicious? I am often bewildered, astounded, that these leaves can be so different, give off such rich flavors, so many varieties to delight us. It makes me want to start steeping everything green I find! I realize that may sound strange, or make no sense, but tea just amazes me. This tea amazes me.
As the tea cools the flavors become a little stronger and there is an almost numbing sensation in the mouth from a herbaceous note. The mouthfeel is lightly creamy. There are subtle notes of peach, somewhat on the bitter side, but enjoyable. A bit like a peach that is not quite ripe enough to be eaten yet but temping nonetheless. There is a subtle sweetness as well somewhat like honey but not cloying. A nutty note plays around but disappears quickly, lingering fresh asparagus, dandelion, and fresh flower notes prevail.
This is a light roast oolong that is tightly rolled and when steeped unfurls into lovely tips with two leaves. Quite beautiful.
Tea like this is why I drink tea!
Iron Buddha from Oriental Teahouse
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Oriental Teahouse
Tea Description:
One of the most famous of all Chinese Oolong teas, it has a delightfully fresh fruity flavor.
Partial Oxidation means that Iron Buddha combines the benefits of both black and green teas.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
One of my friends on Steepster and I did a trade and this is one of the teas she sent me. I was so excited to try this as I love oolong and it is a tea company I have never tried before.
This oolong is typical to the toasty roasty taste I would expect but it is one of the sweeter oolong I have tasted. It really is quite delicious. It sports an almost creamy flavor and mouthfeel.
Iron Buddha has a nice lingering aftertaste and resteeps well.
I would rate this in my top 10 of favorite straight oolongs to date.
I also really like the outer packaging of the tea. It comes in a nice box that is unusual. My problem is with the inner packaging as the cellophane like bag the tea is in could be prone to rips if you are not careful. Otherwise it has cute unique packaging as far as the box is concerned.
The company website is unique as well. As with the packaging there are things I enjoy about it and things that are a little irritating but it is quite artistic and fun to navigate if you have the time.
Regardless the main point is the tea the company offers and as this being my only example I am wanting to order from them in the future because this was an excellent introduction to their brand.
Pink Earl Grey from Fusion Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green, Floral
Where to Buy: Fusion Teas
Tea Description:
The classic idea of bergamot turned into a very enthralling new blend on this green tea base. Invite your sweetheart to this pink version of the traditional English Tea Time and the wonderfully fruity and sweet rhubarb flavor will put your two hearts in tune!
Ingredients: green tea (94 %), flavoring, rhubarb pieces, rose petals, rosebuds.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
My confession is that I did not think I was going to like this tea. I am surprised to say that I do like it.
In my opinion this would be the ultimate in Valentine’s Day teas. Keep this in mind as Valentine’s Day will be here before we know it! I could see this being served for a traditional English Tea with tea sandwiches, and cakes. So yummy!
It is a bit on the perfume-y side, the bergamot is strong but it quickly changes into a sweet, floral, creamy, and fruity flavor.
Now according to the ingredients there are no fruits in this blend, however the combinations of the ingredients somehow comes across to me as fruity. Yes the rose does take its time in the limelight, but the fruit notes come over almost as strawberry somehow. Yet in other sips I taste something of lime or citrus.
The mouthfeel is heavier than I would have suspected but not too heavy, just full with a creamy finish that remains bright.
It is a really pretty tea as well.
I am impressed. I really feel that Fusion Teas got this one right. It may not be what the true Earl Grey lover is looking for but if you keep an open mind you will enjoy it. I like regular Earl Grey but I have to be in the mood for it. This is an Earl Grey that I could drink just about anytime. I also think that younger people would love it because of its sweet, creamy, and fruity like flavor.
Now I suppose I could see an argument for this tea having a different name. Just because something is flavored with Bergamot does not mean it has to be called Earl Grey. Earl Grey does not have the entire market cornered on Bergamot after all. Also this is clearly not a black tea.
Call it whatever you want Fusion Teas, I like it!
Tibet Dream from In Nature Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type:
Where to Buy: In Nature Teas
Tea Description:
A new blend of red and flower teas, Tibet Dream has evoked the imagination of many as its red deep colors remind the Chinese of the deep red robes of the Tibet Monks. This blend is an exceptional combination of a red/black tea with a floral after-taste. Sweet in the palate and mild, this is a must-drink blend to the ones that can appreciate the qualities of superb tea, from the region of Fujian.
Tibet Dream is a great relaxing drink that is said to refresh your mind and body.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Ha! What a delight to the eyes! When I opened this sample (generous sample) from my SororiTea Sister Jennifer I was so surprised I giggled. I showed my daughter the “tea” and said “look at this”! My daughter said that it looked like flowers. I had to look again as I was sure I was looking at some kind of confetti streamer like stuff I would put in a gift to give to someone. Then I saw the flower buds. What a truly interesting tea! I have taken a photo with my iPhone for you to see the beauty of this tea:
Dry leaf aroma is very floral, somewhat earthy, almost musty but not in a way that turns me off, and slightly sweet.
Tibet Dream is a sweet tea in my opinion with a very creamy mouthfeel. There is an astringency to it that verges on medicinal but in the way I would expect an herbal tea to taste.
In the after taste I pick up an almost menthol like cooling sensation on my tongue.
I do detect a delicate black tea undertone which is nice.
There is a savory element to the flavor of Tibet Dream as well.
One could not say this tea lacks depth or interest layers of notes within it!
I do also taste a light fruity note such as tart cherries. Perhaps this is what Jennifer was picking up as a slightly tart hibiscus note.
What a truly unusual and delightful tea! I can’t say that this is a tea I would have selected for myself however after having it I can say it is one that could easily grow on me. I could see myself craving this flavor now and then and if the effects are as the site describes I know I surely need that kind of relaxation with mind boost often!
See Jennifer’s (TeaEqualsBliss) review here.