Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Teavivre
Tea Description:
The leaves of Black Dragon Pearl tea would only be picked around the time of Qingming / Pre-Ming, which is around Apr. 5, 2011 in spring. It’s the highest grade in spring teas, with marked white hairs. The pearl of this tea are 8 to 12 millimeters in diameter. When carefully smelling the flavor of dry tea, you can easily figure a slight smell of chocolate beside the aroma of black tea.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I do love a good black pearl tea, and this certainly qualifies! This is right up there, just as good, if not better, than the ones I’ve tasted in the past.
I brewed this in my gaiwan so that I could watch the leaves unfurl (I can’t really do this in my breville!) I dropped three pearls into my gaiwan, and poured over the nearly boiling water (I used 205°F water for brewing this tea) and watched them open. After about a minute and a half, they were nearly opened, but still had a little left in them (which means more infusions! Yay!)
The flavor is so incredible. If you like those rich, malty black teas with the cocoa-ish flavors to them, you really MUST try this tea, because that is exactly what I’m tasting right now.
With the second infusion, the richness and maltiness continues, as does the chocolate-y notes. I also notice a savoriness beginning to emerge … just a hint of bitterness from the cocoa, a lovely contrast between bitter and sweet dances on the tongue.
I decided to give this a third infusion to see what other flavors I might discover. This third infusion is even smoother than the first two, with the rich and malty tones melding together with the chocolate. The savory elements have softened somewhat, to create a remarkably smooth taste from beginning to end.
An absolutely LOVELY tea experience awaits those who indulge in these amazing black pearls from Teavivre! Add this one to your must try list!
Premium Dragon Phoenix Pearls Green Jasmine Tea from Mandala Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Mandala Tea
Tea Description:
This beautiful green tea is a handmade masterpiece. Premium grade green tea leaves are scented with natural jasmine flowers that create a soothing aromatic experience while enjoying this tea. The leaves are shaped like pearls which are each formed by hand. It is a joy to watch the leaves unfurl as they steep. This is an extremely unique tea that produces a satisfying cup. It is a thoughtful gift and an interesting experience to share with guests.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it many times to come … in fact, I’ll say it right now: I love Jasmine Pearls! And I’m really loving these Dragon Phoenix Pearls from Mandala Tea. They are absolutely sublime!
Dry, the pearls offer the sweet, exotic fragrance of the jasmine flower together with a hint of a lush, leafy scent. The brewed tea is enchantingly aromatic without becoming overwhelming. Instead, it is quite soothing, lulling this sipper into a sense of calm that relaxes my stress and tension from the day.
The flavor is soft and beautiful. The jasmine is perfectly subtle; it is not perfume-y tasting nor does it taste artificial. Such a light, lovely taste that mingles with the buttery smooth flavor of the green tea. The green tea does not taste grassy or even really vegetative, instead, it is smooth and rich, tasting fresh without having a strong vegetal quality to it.
These flavors come together so perfectly! Thank you Mandala Tea for this truly wonderful tea experience!
Fortune Dragon Green Tea Blend from Zen Tara Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Zen Tara Teas
Tea Description:
Enjoy great tasting tea and good luck in the new year with our exclusive green tea blend that celebrates the 2012 Lunar New Year, the Year of the Dragon.
A pleasant combination of premium green tea, warming floral ingredients and tropical citrus creates a flavorful cup of tea perfect for drinking throughout the year.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
My first couple of sips of this tea were a little disappointing. I thought that maybe I did something wrong or had over-steeped it. It kind of tasted sour, but not a lemon-y kind of sour that I had expected. It just tasted … off. I decided to give it a couple of minutes to let it cool and try it again before tossing it, and that’s all it needed.
After allowing it to cool for about two minutes, the flavor of the tea has improved tremendously. No signs of over-steeping, no bitterness, no sour taste. Just really delicious green tea that has been flavored with the essence of passion fruit and lemon. A hint of chrysanthemum offers an intriguing contrast.
The green tea has a mellow flavor to it. It’s a little sweet, and offers a slight kelp-y vegetative taste in the background. It’s a soft green tea taste, one that I’d recommend to someone who seeks a green tea that doesn’t have that strong grassy flavor. Instead of a strong, grassy flavor, the green tea base here lends a smooth and almost creamy texture to the cup, allowing the flavors of lemon, passion fruit and chrysanthemum to do their thing.
And while lemon and passion fruit are not two fruit flavors that I’d have thought of combining, they really work well together. The lemon is tart and tangy without being TOO tart, thanks due largely to the sweet, luscious flavor of the passion fruit. And while the chrysanthemum is not a strong flavor in this cup, it adds just a little extra interest to it. Just a little extra *something* that make the taste buds perk up and say “hey, what is that? That’s different and I like it!”
Overall, a very vibrant cup of tea, soothing and yet energizing in its own way.
Organic Dragon Pearl Jasmine from Red Blossom Tea Co.
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: Red Blossom Tea Co.
Product Description:
Crafted from IMO-certified organic tea buds from Fujian and Jasmine flowers from Guangxi, our Organic Dragon Pearl Jasmine is produced over the span of two seasons.
In early spring, the hand-picked leaf buds are steamed then meticulously hand-rolled and dried. Once finished, the rolled teas are stowed until summer, when they are scented with fresh Jasmine blossoms over seven consecutive evenings.
The resulting fragrant pearl unravels in water, releasing a persistent Jasmine aroma in a smooth, lightly sweet liquor.
Taster’s Review:
This is the third (and final) package of tea that I received in my August Steepster Select package … and it is proving to be my favorite of the three! These Jasmine Pearls have really surprised me.
First of all, I am surprised that these pearls have been classified as a white tea. I do not see this classification on the Red Blossom Tea Co. website, but on the Steepster Select packaging, it is shown as a scented white tea. Most of the Jasmine Pearls that I’ve encountered have been categorized as green tea. But, after tasting this, I can see why it might be considered a white tea. The flavor itself is surprising! It is much softer and more delicate than any other Jasmine Pearl I’ve tried.
The white tea is sweet and subtle and has such a tranquility about it. When brought together with the essence of the exotic jasmine, it becomes euphoria in a teacup.
Yes, my time with this Dragon Pearl Jasmine has been an surprising experience for me. The only thing that didn’t surprise me is the fact that I love these pearls, even though I am surprised at just how good they are. These may just prove to be my favorite Jasmine Pearl I’ve yet to try.
Jasmine Superior Dragon’s Pearls (Molin Hua) from In Nature
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: In Nature
Product Description:
This a top quality flower (jasmine) tea created from only the finest leaves, buds and flowers picked early in the morning to ensure freshness of aroma and flavour.
The tea brews to a pale yellow colour and the beautifully subtle floral aroma invites you to drink.
Taster’s Review:
As I’ve said before, I adore jasmine teas. I’ve tasted many jasmine teas in the past, and it would seem that I’ve had many “favorites” – I guess it could be said that when it comes to jasmine, I’m quite fickle. Keeping that in mind, this is one of the best jasmine pearl teas that I’ve encountered.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’ve encountered some rather distasteful jasmine teas. Sometimes, the jasmine is overwhelming, leaving the cup tasting too floral, and there is often a sharp bitterness to it. Sometimes, the jasmine is an artificial jasmine flavoring, and this often produces a soapy tasting tea. But here, the jasmine is absolutely spot-on. It tastes natural. It tastes sweet. It tastes perfect.
The flavor is incredibly smooth. The green tea has a light flavor with mere hints of a grassy undertone. The tea has an almost-creamy texture to it, which highlights the smoothness of the tea.
Truly a beautiful jasmine tea. I recommend this one to all the jasmine tea lovers out there!