Shi Feng Supreme Dragonwell from Grand tea is a hand-processed green tea from China. Each of the light green leaves are roasted and hand-flattened into perfect little ovals. The first scent that comes forward in the dry leaf is an almost-floral, dark chocolate flavor. Beneath that first chocolate note, there are starchy tones of toasted rice.
I was careful with the temperature of my water to keep from burning the tea leaves, which makes all the difference with green teas. This tea brews up pale yellow and tastes much brighter than the dry leaf smelled. There are citrus and mineral notes, like lemon and coppery pennies. The back of each sip is softer, with more roasted, warming sensations.
I brewed these leaves twice, and found the second steep to be stronger with this toasted flavor, less sweet and more savory. Where the first steep was bright and mineral, the second steep was earthy and toasty. In both brewings the mouthfeel was exceedingly smooth and brought on pleasant feelings of warmth and comfort. Quite a bit of work went into preparing these leaves and the taste and experience of brewing them is well worth the effort.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Grand Tea
Description:
Shi Feng Long Jing is among the ten most popular teas in China. The light green tea leaves are roasted and flattened (by hand) before they are ready for use. The tea soothes your senses with its floral, marine aromas while the velvety, thick texture re-energizes you.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Green Twirl Green Tea from The Kettlery
Today is one of those days I was wanting some more palate cleansing than a flavored tea. I wanted a straight tea. So I went to our SororiTea Sisters inventory and pulled out a tea from a company that is newer to me, The Kettlery.
The Kettlery, based in India, is on a mission to develop a healthier loose leaf regime for tea enthusiasts in India and across the world. You have to enjoy a company that is dedicated to their craft. They do source their tea and keep a strict eye on quality, which you can taste in their tea.
At least I can in their Green Twirl Green Tea. This lovely tea is as delicious as it is gorgeous. Twisting leaves that produce a lovely amber brew that has a smooth and rich flavor with a hint of a vegetal side. Each sip commands another and another. This is one of those teas where you find yourself having trouble putting your tea cup down.
I did a second infusion of these lovely leaves and I have to say, this tea is incredibly solid. Well balanced with that slight twinge of astringency and a vegetal finish-this tea is just delicious and a wonderful way to change the pace.
Later this month, we will be giving away an absolutely amazing gift set from The Kettlery- An Earl Grey Tea set, valued at $45 (USD). Keep an eye out. The giveaway will start soon!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: The Kettlery
Description
Green Twirl as the name suggests is a green tea from the majestic Nilgiris. The eye pleasing green colored tea leaves unfurl to bestow upon you the love of nature. It calms your your body and mind to create a magical atmosphere of serenity. The mild green colored liquor can be enhanced with honey and lemon
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Green Hill from Teabox
I am feeling a little bruised and battered by my schedule right now and I thought I would take a few minutes to unwind with a tea break. I really enjoy pairing a green tea with a sweet, in this case a white chocolate truffle, and I find that it only takes a very little of the sweet to satisfy me when I pair it with tea. The bonus is that tea is good for me and is rejuvenating.
This is a Nepalese tea, and I believe it is the first tea from Nepal I have ever tasted.
The aroma of the dry leaves refreshes me immediately and I can’t wait to taste it. In the pouch I could have sworn I detected the barest hint of smoke, but definitely wood and leaves and crisp fall scent. It is the scent of wood newly laid for a fire on the ashes of an old campfire. Maybe the scent of wood was so strong that I imagined the smoke. Out of the pouch, I hold the leaves in my hand, breathe on them, and smell the new aromas released. Now there is a sharper scent, grassy, root vegetables, and an overlying black tea scent, of all things, perhaps a hint of low grown Ceylon.
The leaves are rolled into balls somewhat like oolong tea, but a little looser and softer. They are dark green with silver stripes here and there. When steeped, they unfurl into large deep green leaves.
The first steep is smooth and sweet, really nice with the truffle. Some teas don’t hold up well with food. This was a gem.
The second steep was strong, so strong that the next time I make it, I will cut the second steep short, keeping it around 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Even though it is on the strong side and has an astringent bite, it is just how my daughter likes her greens. This is good to know, because the tea is more versatile to adapt to your moods and personal preferences. If paired with a full meal, I would probably want it more like the second steep to cut through the heaviness of the food and to cleanse the palate.
Third steep – I cut the time back to two minutes. Ah yes, there it is, the woods in fall. Sweet and smooth again. This is a good warm up for a drizzly day like today. The rest of the dry leaves will be my aromatherapy for the day!
Where to Buy: 