Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Verdant Tea
Tea Description:
The summer 2012 Laoshan Black harvest is in!
Cutting open the first bag of our latest harvest of Laoshan Black is like stepping in to some fantastical cottage in the forest where fudge is being simmered on the stovetop, and the wafting dark chocolate caramel aroma mixes with the flowers and grassy smells coming in through the open windows. The aroma of the wet leaf adds a semolina sweetness of bread baking.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This is the second of the three teas that were part of the last Steepster Select box (the Founders Favorites box), as well as the second of two of the three teas in that box that I had previously tasted and reviewed. But, I certainly didn’t mind receiving this tea – even though I had tried the Laoshan Black tea from Verdant previously – because this tea is so good. It is nice to have it back in my stash of teas, if only for a short while! I will enjoy it while it lasts!
And, even though I have tasted and reviewed this tea before, this is a whole new harvest, so, I feel perfectly alright with composing a new review for it. New harvests often bring new flavor to the cup, so it is interesting to me to see how this tea compares to the previous batch I tried. (I believe that the first batch that I tried was Spring 2011, and this is Spring 2012)
Well, it’s still very rich and flavorful, with amazing chocolate-y tones. I taste the malt notes, which give it an almost “Malt O’ Meal” kind of flavor (one of my favorite hot cereals … I miss the chocolate Malt O’ Meal, I could never seem to find it in my local grocery store, and I’d faithfully look for it every time I’d visit for months and months – probably more like years – and I finally gave up. I might try looking next time I visit to see if it’s there… then again, I suppose I could make my own with some of the cocoa powder that I have in the cupboard. It’d probably be better that way!)
Anyway, this first infusion is very full-flavored. I taste hints of cinnamon and notes of caramel-y sweetness. I think I taste more of a caramel-y taste this time than I remember with that first cup (then again, it was quite some time ago!) and perhaps less of the honey-esque tone. It is nonetheless pleasantly sweet and rich. Very similar to what I remember from previous Laoshan Black tastings.
If you haven’t yet tried the Laoshan Black from Verdant Tea – I highly recommend it. It is truly one of the most remarkably satisfying black teas I’ve ever tasted.
Summer Sunrise from Joy’s Teaspoon
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Joy’s Teaspoon
Tea Description:
Like a refreshing dessert with a touch of something special – a very trendy finale to the perfect dinner. An elegant decoration of fine marigold blossoms simply adds to the beautiful image of this blend.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I brewed this tea without looking it up (yep, I did it again!) and I brewed this Oolong blend as a black tea, using boiling water and steeping for 2 1/2 minutes in my Breville One-Touch.
Dry, the leaf looks very much like a black tea, as the tea leaves are quite dark, so I thought it was a black tea and brewed it the way I would most black teas. Also, I must admit that the name tricked me a little bit. With the dark leaves and a name like Summer Sunrise, my thought was: this must be a black tea!
However, Joy’s Teaspoon has it categorized as an Oolong, and after first looking for the tea under “Flavored Blacks” and then finally finding it under “Flavored Oolongs” I started to worry that I might have scorched the leaves with the high temperature.
However, one taste tells me that the Oolong leaves did not suffer from the exposure to the boiling water, nor did the flavor suffer. This is a really delightful cuppa!
This is one of the more unique flavored teas I’ve tried, with its slightly spicy, basil overtones and a hint of lemon in the background. The basil gives it a peppery taste, with a hint of menthol and a slight sweetness. The lemon is more prominent at the start of the sip, like a quick “how-do-you-do?” and then quickly subsides into the background, giving it a bright, sunny flavor without tasting like a strong, distinct lemon note.
Despite these strong flavors, the tea is not overwhelmed. The Oolong tastes sweet with notes of peach in the background. The mouthfeel is quite smooth and silky.
Unique – yes! Delicious – definitely! If you’re one who enjoys unusual tea blends, you should add this one to your must try list!
African Summer from Tea Licious
Tisane Information:
Leaf Type: Honeybush
Where to Buy: Tea Licious
Tisane Description:
Honeybush, lemon grass, lemon myrtle, rosehips, eucalyptus, hibiscus, safflowers, marigold and orange.
Learn more about this tisane here.
Taster’s Review:
Summer is almost here! Alas, summer is not my favorite time of year – I prefer autumn and winter … why? Because hot tea is so much better when it’s chilly outside! Yes, it’s all about the tea! However, I am certainly enjoying this African Summer tisane from Tea Licious!
The first thing I notice is the zesty flavor of lemongrass and lemon myrtle which gives it a delicious lemon taste without the pucker-y tartness. Then there is a tangy orange note that melds nicely with the lemony herbs. But even with the zesty and tangy flavors, the overall cup is pleasantly smooth, which has a lot to do with the honeybush, which gives it a sweet and nutty taste.
I was a little worried at first that it might be hibiscus-y, but really, the hibiscus only seems to contribute a little to the color of the cup while adding very little tartness or its syrupy texture to it. That being said, I do recommend exercising some caution when steeping this tea, as hibiscus can quickly overpower a cup when left to steep too long. I steeped my cup for six full minutes, and it turned out just perfect!
There is a soft mouthfeel to the cup, which I think is because of the hibiscus. This tells me that there is just the right amount of hibiscus in it … not too much, but enough so that the flavor and texture is not too thin. Kudos to Tea Licious for doing hibiscus the right way!
This is a very pleasant cup of tea, one that is tasty hot, and very refreshing served over ice! This is one that you can serve to kids as well as adults, because it is naturally caffeine free, and it has a pleasing flavor that everyone will love.
Glenburn Second Flush Darjeeling Summer Leaf Tea FTGFOP1 from KTeas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: KTeas
Product Description:
picked 30 May 2011
Direct from the Glenburn Tea Estate in Darjeeling, India!
This second flush Darjeeling is plucked during the early summer months of May and June. Shoots of the bush which draw their succulence from the late spring rain showers are selected to make the stylishrolled leaf. The cup is clear amber to the eye, nonetheless full-bodied with a mature flavor compared to the First Flush that preceded it. Glenburn’s unique growing conditions imbue the very select clonal plants with a special character in their liquor all its own, yielding a complex layer of maltiness with musk and nutty undertones.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I’ve hung on to this sample for a while, waiting for that moment when I really wanted a Darjeeling … and I didn’t bother to really read the label. This tea was picked on my birthday!
Anyway… today seems like a good Darjeeling day. I’m not in a particular rush to get anything done (at least not for the next hour or so), and so I’d like to just sort of slowly ease into the swing of things. Darjeeling does that for me with it’s crisp, light nature. Or so I thought!
These Darjeeling teas from Glenburn Estates are so unique – quite unlike any other Darjeeling teas I’ve encountered. It is as though these Darjeelings want to be an Assam, but couldn’t quite get there. They are a bit lighter, of course, than a typical Assam, but, they are a bit heavier than a typical Darjeeling. Where Darjeeling tea tends to be quite crisp and light (somewhat reminiscent of a white wine), this Darjeeling has some body to it, with a thicker, smoother texture, and even a hint of malt in the background. It also has a toasty flavor in the background, providing a slightly nutty taste. Nice! Different, but nice!
But that is not to say that this Glenburn Second Flush Darjeeling is not at all like a Darjeeling because it does possess many of the characteristics that you’d expect from a Darjeeling as well. A fruity overtone – muscatel grapes! – providing a nice sweetness to the overall cup. Pleasantly sweet and delicious.
The astringency here is quite unusual as well. Astringency is that sensation that either leaves your palate feeling clean, or sometimes sort of dry, and still other times it imparts a slightly tangy sensation. But this astringency isn’t quite like any of those … instead, it is more like a tingly, almost prickly kind of effect on the tongue. Interesting.
I am so very pleased to have had the opportunity to try this Darjeeling. It is one of the best that I’ve tried yet. If you’re a fan of Darjeeling teas, you should definitely try this one… it will surprise you! It would also be a great Darjeeling for those who are new to them … although, be warned, after you try this one, other Darjeeling teas just may not satisfy. This one is a keeper!
Right now, through December 11, KTeas is having a BIRTHDAY SALE! Be sure to check out their homepage for details on how you can save 20% off the subtotal of your order! The only thing better than ordering tea is being able to save money when you’re doing it!
Summer Fruit Symphony from Praise Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green & White Blend
Where to Buy: Praise Tea
Product Description:
Our special blend of white and green teas are fused together to make the delicate flavor the perfect summer drink. This amazing blend of summer fruits of mango, pineapple, papaya, strawberry, sour cherry, and apricot bits produces a refreshing, naturally sweet tea.
Tea Information:
Summer is over, but this tea offers the very best of summer in one teacup. (And truth be told, we are still experiencing some very summer-like weather lately!)
There are a lot of different fruit flavors in this tea, but I like that even though the fruit flavors are strong, they do not completely overwhelm the delicate base of green and white teas. The tea base tastes lightly grassy, sweet, and fresh. It is a very smooth tasting tea.
The fruit flavors are sweet, but they don’t taste cloying or sugary-sweet. There are notes from each of the fruits present: I can taste the tropical notes of the mango, pineapple and papaya, I can taste an almost nectar-like note that is very apricot-ish, and the aftertaste has a berry taste that is very strawberry. There is an ever so slight tart note, which I attribute to the sour cherry. This tart note is not present in the first couple of sips, but as I continue to sip, I notice it hit just before the tail.
The finish is sweet and there is next to no astringency to this blend. The aftertaste is sweet with a berry tingle that lingers a while. This is a really delicious fruit flavored tea. Enjoyable hot or iced, but I think I find it most refreshing as an iced tea.
While browsing through Praise Tea’s incredible selection of teas, I had some trouble finding this particular tea on the website. I contacted the sales department of Praise Tea and learned that this tea is a seasonal blend that is currently sold out. (Their sales staff is very courteous!) Watch for this tea to return when the weather turns warm – you’ll want to keep it on hand for an iced tea that your whole family will LOVE!