Colette Bennett Send Message

I am not a coffee fan but imagine if I was I would also love this tea. It’s smooth, full-bodied and absolutely delightful. If you are in the mood for a rich, earthy flavor with no bitterness, this would be a great one to reach for.

This is a lovely tea. Medium color, smooth and earthy. Mineral body and a nice touch of huigan at the finish.

This is a nice, mellow ripe puerh with a smooth body and flavor. I only had a sample from a friend so I did not have as much tea to use for the session as I would have liked, so the flavor may be richer if the proper amount of tea is used! This would be a good daily drinker for ripe puerh fans.

This is a pleasant, light tea with just a touch of astringency. Very mild bitterness but it passes quickly. I got a little bit of huigan as well. I had to do a 15-second steep to really get the level of flavor I prefer. Personally, this would not be one I would buy again, but I think that’s more personal preference and less tea quality.

A strong flavor and medium body with first notes of smoke and leather. I do not like these types of flavors at all so this tea was not for me, but I think whiskey fans might appreciate the profile.

So light on the first steep that I felt as if the leaves didn’t infuse, so pumped it up to 15 seconds and got more of the flavor, then 20. I got more bitterness than sweetness from steeps 2 and 3. A nice enough tea, but as I am not a fan of bitter flavors, it’s not my taste.

Did several steeps with Cosima and found a significant difference between 10, 20, and 30-second steeps. On 10 it’s light in color, refreshing and crisp, with a lovely astringency. 20 is my favorite steep as it brings the flavors out a little more but is not bitter. On 30 the flavor is darker and leaves a bitterness in the middle of the tongue.

I am just starting to explore Pu-Erh teas and discovered these mini cakes while at my local ZenTea. On first steeping, the tea has a robust flavor and is as dark as a cup of coffee. The flavor is earthy and rich. Distinctive and not for everyone, but enjoyable. Also tried a second steeping and found that flavor slightly less earthy but still worth drinking! I will note I did NOT brew this in a gaiwan.

Du Loup will forever be a luxurious tea to me. Even smelling it before the brew reminds you of dessert thanks to the essence of chocolate and hazelnuts. Delicious with steamed milk, but like all Theodor teas, absolutely brilliant on its own.