Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: China Cha Dao
Tea Description:
Phoenix Dan Cong, a Famous Oolong / Wulong Tea from Chao Zhou Province in China.
Tea comes with a superb aroma and sweet taste!
The Phoenix Dan Cong are noted for their ability to naturally imitate the flavors and fragrance of various flowers and fruits, such as orange blossom, orchid, grapefruit, almond, ginger flower, etc…
Dan Cong is a botanical term that refers to the morphology of the tea plant. Most tea bushes emerge from the ground as a cluster of branches, however, the uncommon Dan Cong variety emerges as a single trunk that branches off higher up the stem.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Supreme Phonenix Dancong Snow Flake Oolong from China Cha Dao (deep breath) is …. a mouthful! A mouthful of goodness that is.
This is not necessarily in line with my favorite flavors in a tea, but I absolutely appreciate it for what it is. The flavors range from citrus, to sandalwood, floral, to astringent.
The aroma is that of flowers, orange, and grapefruit. The liquid should be rather pale, be sure not to over steep this one. Gong Fu brewing is recommended.
I prefer the second steep to the first, and in the future would probably even do a quick rinse, like one would do with pu-erh, before sipping.
This is a unique tea with a completely different flavor profile from any oolong that I have ever had. I can see where some would adore this tea and where others may not care for it. I think those who adore it will want it in their stash at all times, however for those we do not, they should at least experience an oolong like this once.
I feel as though this years Snow Flake picked up plenty of citrus elements, and then secondly floral aspects. I really had hoped to pick up the almond flavor, but could not.
The leaves of this tea are long, full, and lovely but do expect some stems as well.
China Cha Dao started on Ebay but they now have their own website and it is designed quite well. Their teas are sold in larger quantity 4.4 Ounces or 125 Gram being the norm, with Worldwide Free Shipping. The site even has a language translator in the upper left corner of the page.
What I have noticed about this tea that is also unique is the heat retention. My cup seems to have stayed warm for far longer than most teas do using the same cup. It also is a heart warming tea, meaning that I feel as though I am warming up from the inside out as I drink it. Seems perfect for a winter harvest!
Be sure to check out their Chinese New Year Sale here.
Snow Flake Black Tea from Sands of Thyme
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Sands of Thyme on Artfire
Product Description:
Ingredients: black tea -Ceylon, -South India, -China, coconut rasps, flavoring, almond flakes
Taster’s Review:
We’ve been experiencing some rather warm weather lately here in the Pacific Northwest – and sipping this tea makes me wish for the cooler weather of late autumn and early winter. Even with its tropical flair it has a very cozy, wintery taste to it.
The black tea base is delicious. Just strong enough to establish itself without overwhelming the coconut and almond notes. There is also an intriguing biscuit-y taste in the background that gives the overall cup a “cookie” kind of flavor. It is a brisk, pleasant tasting tea that is free from bitterness and has very little astringency.
The coconut is the strongest flavor of the cup. It is smooth and sweet with a touch of creaminess to it. It isn’t as strong a coconut taste as some coconut teas that I’ve tried, but I like the level of flavor to this – it has enough coconut to know what I’m tasting without being too much. A stronger coconut flavor might overpower the almond notes here, and I really like the way that the two flavors meld together. The almond is sweet and nutty, and enhances the cookie note I mentioned previously.
I like this one well enough that I can comfortably say that this is one of my new favorites from the Sands of Thyme. It’s yummy!
Snow Flake Tea from Sands of Thyme
Tea Type: Black Tea
Where To Buy: Sands of Thyme
Product Description:
Ingredients: black tea -Ceylon, -South India, -China, coconut rasps, flavor, almond flakes
Tasters Review:
I’ve said it before and I will say it again…I HATE WINTER. I don’t like being cold. I guess that is another reason I love tea…it’s a nice warm-up! I live in the snow belt and we’ve gotten slammed with snow this week so I thought it was only fitting to post a review about Snow Flake Tea from Sands of Thyme. Now THIS is a Snow Flake I like!
The Coconut and Almond gives this a neat flavor! I’ve had a few Snow Flake Blends from other companies before but this one has a mixed drink type taste to it that I am really enjoying! It also seems to leave a cookie-like aftertaste…this is a treat!
Another winner from Sands of Thyme!
