Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Enjoying Tea
Company Description:
This is a rare and expensive tea grown in Zhejiang province. In Chinese medical journals the Tianshan Lushui is known to lower cholesterols and help with weight loss. This tea produces a green color liquid. The better its quality is, the greener the color. This tea has traditionally been used as a diet tea in palaces by the empress and princesses of ancient China. Because this tea is very concentrated, we suggest using one teaspoon of tealeaves for every 500ml of water.
Taster’s Review:
These tiny leaves are so much fun to watch as they brew. When I first watched them, the first thought that came into my head is that this is “instant gratification for tea watchers” – because it unfurls much like a gunpowder or pearl, but much faster. It is kind of like watching a gunpowder tea unfurl in fast forward.
I was a little afraid to taste this tea, to be honest. When the name of the tea is “bitter” – I get a little worried. But, really, this is “bitter” in a good way. Kind of like dandelion greens. And that is a really good description of this tea, because when they unfurl, the damp leaves look like baby dandelion greens! Really tiny, baby dandelion greens!
This is actually quite good. It has a savory quality that I’m finding very rewarding. The key is to not over brew it, I found that with a short brew time (I brewed it for about 1 1/2 minutes in hot but not boiling water) the flavor is lightly bitter, with an interesting sweet background note. It’s a very crisp, bright, herbal taste that I’m finding rather energizing. Vibrant!
I also recommend not using too much leaf when you brew this, because the flavor is quite intense. Too much leaf will result in a cup that is quite bitter, and because the bitter is so overwhelming, it is difficult to enjoy the other flavors that this tea possesses. A lighter infusion allows the many dimensions of this leaf to come alive in the teacup!
By now, you might be wondering what “Tianshan Lushui” is – is it a tea (as in Camellia Sinensis) or is it something else? Well, I was not entirely sure if it came from the Camellia Sinensis plant, so I contacted Enjoying Tea for more information. I was very impressed with the speed in which they responded!
They informed me that it is in fact an herb and not from the Camellia Sinensis plant. I also did a little research of my own, and found that this herb is also often called “small-leaf bitter tea.” It is often utilized to help cool the body temperature, as well as help to lower cholesterol and improve blood circulation. It’s also supposed to be good for the skin! So while it’s not a true tea, it is a tasty herb and very good for you! Cheers!
Wild Blueberry from Octavia Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: Octavia Tea
Company Description:
Capture the deep, luscious flavor of wild blueberries in a cup of tea. This enchanting infusion is made from an exquisite white tea blended with organic blueberries and a touch of sweet-tart hibiscus. Known for its detoxifying, stress-relieving properties, white tea has a delicate, nectar-like flavor contains the highest antioxidant level of all teas.
Taster’s Review:
This is an excellent blueberry tea.
The white tea base is light but it does not allow itself to be overwhelmed by the other flavors of the tea. It has a sweet, fresh flavor that enhances the blueberry flavor.
The blueberry tastes very authentic. It tastes like ripe blueberries – actually, since I’m drinking this tea hot, what it reminds me of is the blueberry taste in a piping hot blueberry muffin, bursting with sweet, juicy deliciousness!
There is also hibiscus in this blend, but I am happy to report that it is a very small amount of hibiscus. Just enough to add a wee bit of tartness in the aftertaste, and a pleasant texture to an otherwise very light bodied tea.
I quite enjoyed this blend. It is best served hot because the delicate nature of this tea tends to become a bit muted as it cools, however, if you want it iced, just add a little bit of sugar or other sweetener (try honey or agave nectar) and this will enhance the flavors a bit.
If you love blueberries – you really should try this tea!