110 Tasting Notes
Ya know, it’s just not that special. To me, it’s not worth the premium price it commands. I’m starting to realize that for my regular daily drinking, I’m going to have to find 2 or 3 pretty basic teas (like a basic Keemun, a basic Yunnan golden tip, and a basic Taiwanese oolong), and then have a few over-the-top spectacular ones that I treat myself to once in a while. (See Butiki.) This tea would not fit into any of those categories, so I don’t think I will purchase it again.
Preparation
Just as yummy as last time. 2tsp in 16oz.
Now that I am more used to the leafhopper taste since I drank Taiwanese Wild Mountain Black and Mi Xian black, this tea seems lighter to me and less surprising tasting. I’m also picking up a somewhat floral note this time that I’m not sure I love. Glad I am getting more of the black tea this week since it seems that’s where my preference lies!
Preparation
Just had this as a latte with cinnamon! YUM! Felt like getting a quick caffeine jolt and was in the mood for something creamy and comforting.
I just completely winged this… 8oz plain unsweetened almond milk heated to 140F, 1/2tsp matcha, 1/8tsp cinnamon, 2tsp sugar. Whisk whisk whisk. Drink drink drink.
1 scant tbsp for 18oz water
Nice basic Yunnan. Not a lot of the classic Yunnan flavor probably because no golden tips. A little astringent for my taste, so it required a little sugar. After that addition, I quite enjoyed it.
My personal feeling is that if I find a tea needs sugar and/or milk, I’d rather not make it part of my usual rotation. If I feel like a tea with sweetener and milk, I’ll just have PG Tips or Typhoo. I’ll save my money for those special teas I find that are an amazing experience to drink and savor. (See Butiki Taiwanese Wild Mountain Black!)
Preparation
I think I severely underleafed this. Tea Trekker states the sample I purchased was 14g, so I thought half the package (7g) would be perfect for 18oz of water. But, on the other hand their steeping instructions call for 2 tbsp for 6oz, and half the package turned out to be not much more than 2 tbsp. So, something is really off…
As I steeped it, it had very little flavor. Liquor was just a cream color.
Preparation
Also… Though I have really enjoyed reading their books, I can’t say I’m having much luck with Tea Trekker teas. Could just be coincidence, but I don’t know…
Yep,sounds way underleafed for the amount of water. Some oolongs take a steeping or two to unfurl and release flavor. Having a gaiwan is easier for oolong tea in my opinion (smaller steeps with less leaf) since it’s also more expensive.
Thanks, Bonnie! Yes, I am starting to realize the error of my ways. When trying samples, I really have to brew much smaller amounts in order to have some room for trial and error!
Since there’s no picture of the tea it’s harder to comment on what type of oolong it is. Reading more on either Teavivre, Mandala or Verdant websites and watching their videos has been helpful to me.
Hi Bonnie, here’s a pic: https://www.teatrekker.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/product_full/ool-nepal_hh_jade-lg.jpg
I tried to add it to the tea description but can’t modify teas until I’ve been a member for a month.
1tbsp for 18oz
Yeah… It’s still a good Yunnan, but there’s that touch of astringency that I’m not loving. Especially since I now know that astringency is not inevitable (see Butiki Taiwanese Wild Mountain Black). If brewing under 3 minutes at 180 is still coming out too astringent for me, I’ll have to pass on ordering this again.
Preparation
1 tbsp for 18 oz
Amazing to me how some teas can be astringent when sipped at certain temperatures but not others. This tea has a lovely, smooth, classic Yunnan flavor, but only when it was warm — not too hot, and not too cooled down. Such a beautiful red color in the cup. Since I got my double-walled clear tea glasses the other day, I’m really noticing the color of the liquor more.
Perhaps a little shorter steeping next time, and it will be perfect.
Preparation
2 scant tbsp for 18oz
Soooooo smooth and delicious. Loved it even more than the first time. That special leaf hopper sweetness and absolutely no astringency whether hot, warm, or cold. Really hits the spot.
Preparation
Geez, hours later I am still thinking about how much I enjoyed every drop of the 18 ounces of this I brewed. No additions, no snacking, just straight, pure, deliciously unique tea!
I actually bought 2oz then went back for 1oz more it’s so remarkably good.
Yeah, I only got a sample size, so it’s done! Going to have to order more TODAY. When I tried the Mi Xian black, I thought I like it better than this, but after trying this one again, I think I’m hooked!
Taiwanese blacks are so good!
It’s tough but I have to watch it too.
Things are going down the way they did when I first got into tea in 2006. (Took a break from 2010-now.) Basically, I went crazy trying 4 million different teas for a couple of months, and then I settled into just a few.
I have quite a bit of tea, but I have favorites and a limited amount to spend on tea. I keep an eye open for free samples (the last tea I reviewed freom teajo was one of those). Value to me is also in the quality. It’s a waste if I don’t like the tea or can’t resteep it. A few good friends to swap with are valued assets, especially when you find ones that have similar taste in tea or who have interests that you’d like to try. When I cup out artificially flavored tea, my enjoyment increased.