Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: thepuriTEA
Tea Description:
Also known as “Bai Mu Dan,” White Peony is an excellent everyday white tea with a full flavor that appeals to many black-tea drinkers. Each spring in Fujian, China, it is hand-plucked as sets of two leaves for each bud, and then minimally processed for a nuanced flavor and high level of antioxidants. White Peony’s pale golden brew has complexly woodsy, floral aromas with hints of cocoa, peaches and apricots. Its layered, full, woodsy, bittersweet flavor is almost reminiscent of our Golden Yunnan black tea. Its light, clean aftertaste makes it a perfect tea for pairing with honey-drizzled apricots or toasted English muffins with butter and honey.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This White Peony Tea from thepuriTea is amazing … it certainly qualifies as one of the best Bai Mu Dan teas I’ve ever had. I shouldn’t be surprised, of course, because thepuriTea seldom fails to impress me … in fact, I can’t think of a time when they have failed to impress me with their teas.
The flavor is so surprising. My first sip, I tasted creaminess: sweet, luscious, creaminess! After that first sip, my palate began to explore many of the flavors that are suggested in the description above. Yes, I taste the notes of cocoa – and they are profound! I taste sweet peaches. I taste a hint of flower in the distance, and a slight woody/oaky taste.
And while most Bai Mu Dan teas tend to be very delicate … this one is much fuller flavored. It does have that lighter quality … this is not a black tea, after all, but from the moment I take a sip, my palate is greeted with so much flavor … it doesn’t have to go searching for it.
What I’m not noticing much of here, are strong notes of vegetation or of hay … which are often found in Bai Mu Dan. That’s why I find this cup so surprising. I enjoy those vegetal and hay notes in other Bai Mu Dan – don’t get me wrong! – but, it was nice to try this cup and discover something a little different!
I’m sure you’re probably thinking, oh, sure, it’s just a Bai Mu Dan … and you’ve tried one, you’ve tried them all. Not true! And the same can be said with just about any type of tea … don’t think that just because you’ve tried one type of tea that you won’t like that tea from any company. It is important to taste around … and discover new teas! Otherwise, you may just be missing out on a new favorite!
Hong Jing Luo from thepuriTea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: thepuriTea
Tea Description:
Fans of Golden Yunnan will love our similarly rich, sweet Hong Jing Luo black tea (also known as Golden Bi Lou). The name Hong Jing Luo roughly translates to “golden, downy feathers;” it was chosen because the tea’s golden leaves and buds are loosely rolled into small coils that are shaped like tiny, delicate feathers. Its aroma, flavor and aftertaste are all incredibly rich and sweet – anticipate notes of raisins, sweet potato, cocoa, brown sugar, malt, roasted pumpkin, dry wood, tobacco and dark brandy. A balancing astringency makes this black tea ideal for pairing with breakfast foods, pumpkin pie or chocolate.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This morning as I meandered into my kitchen to start brewing my first cup of the day, I looked through my small “counter top stash” for a black tea. I have a beautiful green, handmade bowl on my counter top near my tea maker that holds the teas that I want to brew in the next day or two … somehow this manages to keep me somewhat organized when it comes to tea reviews. This was the first tea that I found in my bowl, so, I decided that this would be the tea to start my day.
And what a lovely choice!
This tea brews to a beautiful golden-coppery color, and appeared to be a bit on the light side compared to some of the other black teas I’ve been drinking lately. I wondered if it would have the vigor I needed today – because I was feeling a bit more asleep than awake at that moment.
But as I began to sniff at the tea and noticed the beautiful earthy notes as well as hints of cocoa and caramel, I could feel myself slowly beginning to wake, my eyes beginning to open with anticipation of the flavors I was about to savor.
Ahhh! Deliciously sweet with notes of burnt sugar and just a hint of cocoa that might be a bit more bittersweet than sweet … but is still quite delightful. And then I notice the distinct flavor of raisin, and I realize that the burnt sugar notes I noticed before weren’t so much burnt sugar as they were that sugary note that comes from dry fruit. I can almost feel the texture of a raisin in my mouth, the flavor is so distinct.
As I continue to sip, I notice other flavors woven into this tea. Hints of leather and oak, as well as a delightful malty tone and that sort of sweet, caramelized taste of the golden brown crust of freshly baked bread. It was so good, that the cup was empty before I knew it, and I decided that I really MUST infuse these leaves again to see what flavors another infusion might have in store.
The second infusion might even be better than the first! I notice a yam-y, sweet potato note beginning to emerge as well as a deep, pumpkin-y kind of flavor. These are all complemented with a background note of molasses-y brown sugar. Some of the original flavors I noticed in the first cup are present too, but it seems that they are not content with remaining as they were, but evolving into something more. This cup is richer and denser in flavor, but there is still a lightness to it that allows the flavors to be enjoyed.
This is one I’d recommend that all tea lovers try … I might even insist upon it! It’s so good, it’s one that should not be missed!
Jasmine Golden Yunnan from thepuriTea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: thepuriTea
Tea Description:
Our Jasmine Yunnan Buds black tea combines the sweet, chocolaty flavor of our Golden Yunnan with the delicately peppery, floral notes of our Jasmine Silver Needle. It’s made from the fully oxidized buds (or “tips”) of the tea plant, and then aromatized and blended with fragrant jasmine petals. When dry, the tippy, golden buds smell of rich dark chocolate, while the tiny, pale jasmine petals are seductively aromatic and pungent. The deep umber brew has an aroma that’s chocolaty, lightly peppery and topped with fleeting jasmine notes. The sophisticated, mellow flavor of jasmine melds seamlessly with the flavors of chocolate and pepper inherent to Yunnan black tea, making this a fantastic alternative for jasmine lovers and a great choice for fans of flavored black teas. Jasmine Yunnan Golden Bud’s aftertaste is lightly astringent, and later infusions retain the rich flavor of Yunnan black tea. For a special treat, pair this elegant blend with brunch foods, anything with dark chocolate, or coconut macaroons.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I do love jasmine teas, but, most jasmine teas tend to be green teas with white jasmine teas becoming increasingly more popular. But, I don’t often see a jasmine scented black tea.
So, it was quite a find when I discovered this Jasmine Golden Yunnan from thepuriTea!
This tea brings together the amazing complexity of a high quality Golden Yunnan and the exotic floral qualities of jasmine in such a pleasing way. The sweet floral notes seem to bring out the Yunnan’s natural spice tones, highlighting them in a way that I probably wouldn’t experience without the jasmine’s presence.
On Steepster, I referred to this tea as an example of synergy, because I really love the way the two elements – Golden Yunnan and Jasmine – work together to achieve this delicious, full-flavored tea with its beautifully sweet floral notes. I also mentioned on Steepster that this may be my new favorite Jasmine. I don’t know if I’m quite there – yet – but, it is definitely giving Jasmine Silver Needles a run for their money!
This is truly a fantastic tea, and it stands up nicely to a second infusion. The second infusion is smoother, and I notice the flavors of the Yunnan popping out a bit more, with the jasmine notes becoming more of a soft, background note … still very noticeable, but not quite as center-stage as it was in the first infusion.
I am definitely going to have to get more of this tea!
Dan Cong Oolong Tea from thepuriTea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: thepuriTea
Tea Description:
Dan Cong Oolong is, perhaps, our best tea. It is handcrafted from the leaves of the famous Dan Cong tea bushes of Phoenix Mountain in Guangdong, China, and then well oxidized and roasted for a remarkably rich, nuanced aroma and flavor. Its dark, wiry leaves are highly aromatic. Open a package and you’ll immediately smell apricots, peaches and bittersweet cocoa powder. The clear, pale-golden brew has lively aromas of apricots, nectarine, firewood, dark chocolate, and toasted walnuts, pecans and hazelnuts. Its flavor is fantastically sweet and complex, with notes of fruit, honey, natural osmanthus flowers, wood and minerals. The aftertaste is phenomenally full, and it changes with each re-infusion of Dan Cong Oolong.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
My favorite Oolong tea is Ali Shan, but, I think that this one may narrow in to be a close second. The flavor is outstanding!
The leaves have been deeply oxidized as evidenced by their dark color. The dry leaf is wiry and long, and possesses an aroma with deep fruit, flower and earthy notes.
The flavor is intense. I have spoken with a few people on-line who have mentioned that they do not like Oolong because the flavor is so light, to these people, I say, try Dan Cong! This is not a delicate brew; it is so flavorful and complex.
The first thing I notice is a piquant fruit note that tastes of apricots and peaches. I taste the osmanthus flower, and its natural peach-like tones further accentuate the fruit tones of the tea. There is a lovely sweetness to this that reminds me of wildflower honey.
I can also taste the firewood as mentioned in the description with hints of smokiness, and a distinct sharpness that arrives mid-sip that evoked thoughts of firewood before I even having read the description.
I don’t know that I taste the individual nutty flavors that are mentioned in the description, but there is a nuttiness to the flavor profile. Toasty and delicious! I also taste hints of cocoa within the brew, but, not a strong sense of dark chocolate. More like a hint of cocoa intermingling with the toasted nut flavor.
One seriously fabulous Oolong. I highly recommend this to any tea drinker.
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Earl Grey from thepuriTea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: thepuriTea
Product Description:
The small, blue-black tealeaves of our Earl Grey are brimming with the bold, citrusy, sweet aroma of pure bergamot (citrus fruit) essence. A classic breakfast blend or afternoon tea, its deep garnet brew has a bold, zesty flavor that’s great alone, with a dash of sugar or a drop of milk, or alongside pastries, scones and cream, or petits fours. Our Earl Grey is supported by the complex flavors of its malty, chocolaty, earthy Fujianese black tea base, making it a far more complex brew than most Earl Grey teas out there. Whether you’re a new tea drinker or an Earl Grey aficionado, this Earl Grey is an excellent choice.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
It’s no secret that I love Earl Grey tea, but there are just two Earl Grey teas that I consider favorites. But now, I may have to make that three.
Yes, it’s true, I have just found a new favorite Earl Grey. This is amazing.
The black tea base is strong. Earthy and rich, this tea adds a great deal of depth and flavor to the cup that the average Earl Grey tea lacks. There are background notes of cocoa and malt. It is astringent but not bitter. It is absolutely delicious.
On its own, I think that the black tea base would make a great tea. But, this IS an Earl Grey tea, and it can’t be an Earl Grey tea without the bergamot. The bergamot oil used here is of excellent quality, as evidenced by its flavor. The citrus tones are tangy and bright, and the floral notes that so often grace an Earl Grey are less evident. I can still taste a hint of it – letting me know it’s a bergamot – but, it doesn’t come off as perfume-y. It is one of the smoothest tasting bergamot flavorings that I’ve encountered in the years that I’ve been enjoying Earl Grey.
My only complaint is that thepuriTea has difficulty keeping this one in stock. The stock was just recently replenished, so if you love Earl Grey, you should get this one NOW while it’s available! This one should be a MUST TRY on your list! It’s that good.