417 Tasting Notes

97

Steepster ate my last note. I really should know to copy my note before hitting “save changes”…

I decided to revisit this one after trying Zhi Tea’s Gong Fu Black last night. It had reminded me of this. There are some similarities, but the Laoshan Black is more subtle and sweeter. The dry leaf of this also has a milder aroma, the Zhi tea leaves remind me much more of a Yunnan Black. I think I would pair this with sweet foods and the Gong Fu Black with savory foods.

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 0 sec
justnord

Glad you got to try the Gong Fu. I’m with you, I generally prefer the Verdant Laoshan Black. It’s soooo rich, like eating a dessert. Hard to describe… But glad to hear you got to try the tea we swapped.

CharlotteZero

I really like the Gong Fu too. It is smooth, but can stand up to being paired with heavy/spicy foods.

CharlotteZero

I really like the Gong Fu too. It is smooth, but stand up to being paired with heavy/spicy foods.

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81

I noticed that sherapop started following me today, and in their profile they mention that they have an interest in perfume and the intersections between it and tea.

I suddenly thought of a fragrance that I always loved the concept of, but not the execution- Jo Malone’s White Jasmine and Mint. I was inspired to brew a jasmine tea (this) and add some fresh spearmint leaves to it. I have to say it was a success. I had to remove the spearmint rather quickly, though. I believe this might be better brewed cold. I am enjoying this very much tonight. This is a sipdown, but I am considering ordering more of it to combine with mint again!

Preparation
175 °F / 79 °C 2 min, 0 sec
TheTeaFairy

Great idea!

Whispering Pines Tea Company

Jasmine and mint is one of my favorite combos! :)

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92
drank Gong Fu Black by Zhi Tea
417 tasting notes

Thank you, justnord, for swapping with me for this tea! This is really nice. It reminds me of very much of Laoshan Black. It is chocolatey and fruity with very low astringency. I believe that Laoshan Black was sweeter and more complex than this, but now I’m going to have to do a side-by-side comparison soon! I really enjoyed having this with one of my current vices- Gardein Chick’n Sliders. :-)

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 0 sec

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94

I love this tea. The flavoring is mild enough that you can still taste the base, and the base’s flavors actually complement the flavors that are added. I can’t believe I am putting a tea that is both flavored and green on my reorder list…

Preparation
180 °F / 82 °C 2 min, 30 sec

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94

This is a nice tea. It’s not as sweet as I thought it would be, but I believe I prefer the subtlety. The taste is quite fruity, and the aftertaste is floral, followed by a cooling sensation. I know I am going to really enjoy getting to know this one better.

Preparation
185 °F / 85 °C 6 min, 0 sec
TheTeaFairy

I loved this one too!

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87

This was very nice! I don’t ever eat cantaloupes because I find them to be too sweet, but I thought I might like this tea anyway, because it would be sugar-free, and I do.

Preparation
180 °F / 82 °C 3 min, 30 sec

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68

I’m sad that I don’t like this one. I’m beginning to see a pattern: I do not like black teas with vanilla flavoring. I also really wasn’t into Paris, and I think the thing that made me dislike it was the vanilla. Oh well, this will also be swapped soon, so that someone else may enjoy it…

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec

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78

This one was nice, but not what I was hoping it would be. I has too much spice and not enough pumpkin/caramel flavor. I think I will put this in a swap list soon and try adding “Pumpkin Milkshake” with my next order.

Preparation
Boiling 2 min, 30 sec

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94

I don’t usually even like flavored teas, and I love this tea! At first I thought that the green base was too strong, but by my second 4 oz. cup I had changed my mind about that. This was a wonderful tea. I had a piece of marzipan with my third cup, and I was in heaven!

Preparation
180 °F / 82 °C 2 min, 30 sec

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93

I brewed a big pot of this tonight after work. I ordered a whole bunch of tea from Butiki earlier in the week, and I plan to order even more once the Premium Taiwanese Assam is back in stock. These teas are really good!

Anyway, about this tea in particular: The dry leaf is so beautiful! The pictures on Butiki’s website don’t do it justice. The small black tea leaves are beautifully twisted and covered in golden “fur”. Pieces of orange peel and chocolate chips are sprinkled in, but there isn’t a lot. As someone who usually drinks only straight tea, I appreciate this. Tea not potpourri!

The smell is incredible- very much like a chocolate orange mixed with creaminess from the marshmallow. The taste is near perfection, and I like that the flavoring doesn’t leave a strong aftertaste. The only things I didn’t love about this tea: either the orange peel or the chocolate chips produce some oil that rises to the top of the cup, and I wish the black tea base had more body.

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 0 sec
tea-sipper

i’m eating a choc orange right now so I can see how this tea might be nice!

CharlotteZero

My boyfriend asked for one of those in his stocking this year, but he hasn’t had it yet…I’ve been really tempted to open it!

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Profile

Bio

Tea means so many things to me, it is so deep and it is revealing new meaning to me all the time.

Tea is a mindfulness practice, and a doorway through which to explore different philosophies, cultures, and historical times. Tea is hospitality and a way of communion. Tea is an art, a ritual, and a tradition. Tea is a complement to the foods I eat (preferably vegan desserts) and is something I enjoy collecting and curating.

I love to swap, or even just send people samples, so if there’s anything in my cupboard you’d like to try, just send me a message!

Location

San Francisco Bay Area

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