Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Green Terrace Teas
Tea Description:
While most Bi Luo Chun is grown in Jiangsu Province, China, this unique cultivar grown in Taiwan has bigger leaves and is picked slightly earlier in the year. As a non-fermented green tea, it is rich in antioxidants and other natural chemicals that promote various health benefits, including reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Bi Luo Chun is sweet and fruity in flavor, with notes of peach and a mildly vegetal aftertaste.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Oh this is lovely!
When I think “Bi Luo Chun” – I think of the tiny conchin shell shaped leaves from China. These leaves are larger, not as curly and darker in color.
It tastes different too. This has a sweet, buttery and vegetal taste. The buttery tones are profound and lend a soft, almost creamy texture to the cup. The vegetal tones are slightly grassy, somewhere between grass and lima bean. No sharpness to the grassy notes and no bitterness. This is a sweet grassy taste.
The sweetness is somewhat fruity, although I find myself struggling with trying to pinpoint what kind of fruit notes I’m tasting … melon, perhaps? It’s got the juicy sweetness of a melon but not the flavor of one. Perhaps a melon that’s been pressed for the juice and then that juice was mixed with rainwater and dew drops, enough so that the flavor of the melon becomes obscured but the sweetness of it remains.
There is some astringency to this. I feel a slightly dry sensation toward the tail. But it is very slight. I noticed a little more astringency in the second cup (second infusion) than I did in the first, but in both infusions, the astringency was very light.
To brew this tea, I measured a bamboo scoop of the leaf into the basket of my Kati tumbler and poured 12 ounces of water heated to 180°F. I let it steep for 2 minutes. The liquid is a pale golden-green and has a very faint vegetal aroma.
These leaves resteep well. I brewed a second cup much the way I brewed the first (adding 30 seconds onto the steep time) and sipped the second cup with just as much enjoyment as I experienced with the first cup. Still sweet and delicious. The texture is a little lighter in the second cup. The first cup was a little creamier than the second, although the second did have lighter creamy notes. I found that the second one felt more refreshing because it was a little crisper and lighter. Both infusions were delicious and it’s well worth the resteep!
Gui Fei Oolong Tea from Zi Chun
Tea Type:
Oolong Tea
Where To Buy:
Zi Chun
Product Description:
Gui Fei oolong made in similar fashion to Oriental Beauty in that the tea leaves are bitten by small green insects. It is the insects biting the leaves that gives these teas their unique honey characteristic aroma and taste, and also initiates the oxidization process. The main difference with Gui Fei is that 1.) it is grown in the central regions of Taiwan (Oriental beauty is grown primarily in the North) and 2.) Gui Fei is processed using traditional Dong Ding oolong processing techniques.
Tasters Review:
I’m not sure why – perhaps it’s just a personal preference – but I tend to drink Oolong Teas in the afternoon. While I’m working and writing and writing and working I tend to drink teas that I can infuse over and over again. The other day this tea accomplished both. This tea is from Zi Chun and is their Gui Fei Oolong Tea.
It’s not overly colorful once infused – more of a tint or a hue than a color – but that doesn’t mean it lacks for aroma. It’s gently roasted yet slightly sweet. It’s not lacking flavor but the flavor is not intense either. Eventho I was sipping on this while frantically writing and typing in the afternoon I could totally picture myself unwinding with this tea in the evening, too. It’s incredibly smooth and comforting.
A few things I found out about this tea is that it was harvested in the summer of 2013 in Lugu township, Nantou County, Central Taiwan at the elevation of 1,200 – 1,500 feet. Another thing that I enjoyed learning about this tea is that it’s also known as King’s Concubine tea.
Just when I think I might stray away from Oolongs – a really fabulous one enters my life – that I must listen to and try – and try over and over again. THIS is one of those Oolongs!
Taiwan Sun Moon Lake Formosa Black Tea (Premium Grade) from Cameron Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Cameron Tea
Tea Description:
Region: Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan
Type: Black Tea
Oxidation level: Fully oxidised
Taste: Strong and refreshing flavour.
Terroir: Sun Moon Lake is located at altitude of 700m, surrounded with mountains and lakes with remarkable environment and typical climate for growing black teas. Heavy moist and stable yearly average temperature make the tea trees grow thick and rich tea leaves which produce carmine and perfectly clear liquor.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I know I’ve mentioned this more than once, but I LOVE the teas from Cameron Tea. They are the very best that Taiwan has to offer. And this Sun Moon Lake Formosa Black tea is no exception.
You might recall that I previously reviewed the competition grade of this tea back in July. Since it’s been a while that I’ve tried the competition grade, when comparing the two grades, my opinions will be based off what I can recall with the help of that review and my tasting notes.
The leaves look very similar to the competition grade tea: they are long and chocolate-y brown in color. The leaves are whole and have been rolled into slender, curly forms. They slowly unfurl to release their flavor.
Also similar to the competition grade: the dry leaf had very little discernible aroma. Mere hints of earthy tones. The brewed tea has more fragrance, it smells warm and earthy with notes of spice. It’s a sweeter smell, and in the aforementioned review I suggested notes of molasses. I’m getting that with this tea as well.
I used my Breville One Touch to brew this tea. Because the leaves are so large and curly, they’re difficult to measure or scoop out with the bamboo scoop into any type of measurable tool. I don’t weigh my teas and since I don’t utilize a scale, it’s difficult to tell you how much tea I put into the basket of the tea maker, so I’ll just say that I put three pinches of tea into the basket. Then I looked at it and it looked like it should be enough tea. Sorry for my less than precise measuring method but I am very adamant when it comes to tools for my tea. The less tools, the better, in my opinion, because tea is meant to be a simple pleasure and I feel like the more gadgetry used to make the tea – the less simple it becomes.
I brewed this tea at a slightly lower temperature than I would normally steep a black tea. I guess I found myself feeling that this tea needed a little less heat – I was worried that these beautiful leaves might find boiling water to be too hot a bath for them. So I went with 195°F and steeped the tea for 3 minutes.
The result is an absolute delight to sip. Sweet! It’s smooth and there is no astringency. No bitterness. Just smooth, sweet molasses-y goodness. It tastes as though I thinned some molasses rather than brewed some tea! Maybe added a couple of warm, gentle spices to accent the delicious, deep flavor of the sweet molasses with hints of caramel.
Beneath these sweet flavors, there’s a savory “earthy” note that has notes of chocolate and leather. I infused this tea a second time and I found that the second infusion was a little less sweet and I discovered more complexity as a result. I picked up on layers of fruit and as I continued to sip, I started to notice a dry astringency toward the tail. This astringency is quite soft and for those of you who are sensitive to that dry feeling that the astringency delivers, I think you’ll find this tea to be quite acceptable as the astringency is barely there.
It’s a very smooth and delightful tea to drink. This isn’t the kind of black tea I’d want as my first cup of the day because it doesn’t have that “shake me awake” kind of quality that I want in that first cup. Instead, this is the kind of tea that you want to brew when you want to sit and reflect. As I sit here on a chilly afternoon, I realize what an autumnal taste it has – the molasses, the spice … even the stone fruit notes … remind me of the early days of autumn when the weather becomes crisper. When the late summer harvests deliver those delicious stone fruit to enjoy in warm cobblers and the weather is just cool enough that those warm desserts are the perfect comforting thing.
A really delightful tea.
AliShan Milky Oolong Tea from Teasenz
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Teasenz
Tea Description:
Intense creamy taste with floral undertone. A one-of-a-kind tea from Taiwan with a fantastically creamy flavor resulting from its unique roasting process. Our Ali Shan Milky Oolong offers you great depth of flavor that lasts into even the fifth brew.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Mmm! AliShan! Seriously … is there anything better?
Yeah, I’m sure there are. And I have other favorite teas that I like at least as well as an AliShan Oolong. But when I’m indulging in an AliShan, it’s as if I’m drinking pure liquid gold and everything is right with the world. AliShan is definitely my favorite Oolong tea.
And this AliShan Milky Oolong from Teasenz is absolutely divine.
It’s so sweet and creamy. And take note: this isn’t going to taste as creamy as some Milk Oolong teas you may have tried. That’s because these creamy notes have been derived naturally, not by adding flavoring to the tea. I have tried both types of Milk Oolong and I’ve enjoyed both natural Milk Oolong teas and Milk Oolong teas that have been flavored to get their creaminess. So, I’m not here to try to tell you which you should like better or why you should prefer one over another. It’s all subjective because no two palates are the same. I’m just offering an explanation to you as to why this isn’t going to be quite as milky-creamy as a Milk Oolong that has been enhanced with flavoring.
That said, this is amazing. I love the soft creamy notes of this tea. It’s warm and comforting – like warm milk. Sweet and floral. There is a hint of nutty flavor in the distance that melds beautifully with the warm milk notes.
To brew this tea, I grabbed my gaiwan and my YiXing mug that is designated for AliShan Oolong tea! My mug fit five infusions in it, so my first cup was infusions 1 – 5 (after discarding the rinse!) I heat the water to 180°F and infused the rinse for 15 seconds, discarded the liquid, and then started brewing! The first infusion was 45 seconds and I added 15 seconds onto each subsequent infusion.
And this mug is filled with tea that is a little bit like perfection. And since this is an Oolong, I decided to go for a second mug (infusions 6 – 10). That’s one great thing about Oolong teas – they keep going and going!
My second mug tasted even creamier than the first. The floral notes began to emerge a little bit. It was smooth and sweet. Very little vegetal taste, mostly this cup was all about the milky/creamy flowery taste! I think I liked the second mug even better than the first so get all that flavor out of these leaves and keep on infusing!
A really wonderful tea! Teasenz is a great company, I highly recommend them!
Taiwan AliShan Jin Xuan Oolong Tea (Premium Grade) from Cameron Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Cameron Tea
Tea Description:
AliShan is one the famous oolong tea growing areas in Taiwan. Located at altitude of 1500m, the mountain has a rich soil and ideal climactic conditions. The cool climate and moist from daily mists make the plants to grow very slowly and produce tender, flavourful tea leaves and buds.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Having previously reviewed Cameron’s AliShan Jin Xuan Competition Grade Oolong tea (and absolutely loving every sip of it!) I was very happy to try the Premium Grade of the AliShan Jin Xuan from Cameron.
I wondered how different the two grades would be and since it’s been a little while since I had that tea (back in June), I wasn’t sure that my memory would be as quick to recall all the nuances of the tea. Thank goodness I have my notes to fall back on!
I steeped this the same way I steeped the competition grade (and for the most part, this is how I steep most Oolong teas. There are occasional exceptions, but the exceptions are quite rare!) I used my gaiwan and started out with a 15 second rinse and then started steeping. The first infusion was 45 seconds and I added 15 seconds onto each subsequent infusion. Since this is an AliShan, I used my special AliShan Yi Xing mug which holds four to five infusions. This time, it held five infusions.
So this – my first mug of this tea – is the combination of the first five infusions.
Mmm! This is so lovely!
I’m finding this premium grade to be slightly less creamy than I remember the competition grade tasting and feeling. The mouthfeel is a little lighter here than the competition grade, which was rather creamy and thick. This is still creamy and thick – just not as thick as I seem to recall from the competition grade.
The creaminess doesn’t linger the same way, either. This feels much cleaner and even a little more refreshing than the competition grade. The palate feels cleaner and less coated by the tea when I sip this.
That is not to say that I don’t enjoy that thick, creamy texture – I do! I loved the competition grade! But I’m enjoying this one too and am also enjoying the differences between the two teas.
As the tea cools slightly, I find that the texture and flavor thickens somewhat. It’s still considerably lighter than the competition grade, but if you’re wanting a thicker texture from this tea, just let it cool off for a few minutes longer and you might find that you are getting more texture.
Sweet. Hints of vanilla. Lovely, soft floral notes. A really beautiful tea.
Just as I experienced with the competition grade, I find that the second cup (infusions 6 – 10) is just as lovely as the first cup was. Still sweet and creamy with subtle vanilla tones and floral notes that are emerging a little more in this cup than they were in the first.
As I make my way to mid-cup, some fruit notes develop on my palate. At first, I thought of a fruit that is something between a sweet apple (flavor wise) and a ripe nectarine (texture wise with hints of the flavor). But after I read through my review of the competition grade and I compared the fruit notes to a melon, I would say that comparison would suit these fruit flavors quite well too.
Another truly remarkable tea from Cameron. I’m nearly finished with the set of Cameron teas (I think I have but one more to review!) and I have truly adored each one that I’ve tried. This company is one that all of you tea lovers out there should check out! If you want a top notch tea – this company has got you covered!