359 Tasting Notes
A few weeks ago, I was invited to a friends birthday party…I brought this tea among others for her to try.
I bought a cute little tea pot for her cause she just started drinking tea. Everyone had to try to come up with the most creative idea to wrap her gifts. My wrapping won, here’s a fun pic of what it looked like:
http://instagram.com/p/rXbVauQh-r/
When she saw this tea, she said the same thing as I always do (Mandy, close your eyes): Spider legs.
http://instagram.com/p/rXvsgEQhw7/
Beautiful long strands of yummy goodness.
She’s not used to this type of straight tea, but she was blown away by it. She said it tasted like baked goods and honey! I praised her for that :-)
It also tastes very fruity to me, like raisins with some kind of boozy notes. (And yes Stacy if you read this, I will submit that!)
Having this tea in the Gaiwan is the best way possible IMHO. I like to brew it “Fairy Style”. But since I have quite a few yixing pots coming my way, I am thinking of dedicating one just for my beloved PTA and TWMB! Cause why shouln’t they have their own brewing vessels?
They certainly deserve it!
WOW that vegetable wrapping is amazing! I love the radish and grape rosette. And I can’t wait to try this tea, I’m supposed to get my order tomorrow! :D
And I love the “spider leg” teas… They remind me of the branches of some dark and ancient gnarled tree. :3
Cameron, this tea is REALLY special! So fragrant… And the veggie wrapping was a lot of fun to do :-)
You’re so right about the ancient gnarled tree :-)
veggie wrap? WOW!
How are you so good at EVERYTHING? lol Nice pics, as usual!
“quite a few yixing pots”…
Just when I think you can’t get any cuter, you wrap a gift. :p
Missy…dunno what hou mean.
Sarsy, eating the grapes was part of the unwrapping :-)
Mj, you should try that some day, the person’s face who you give it to is just priceless :-)
Stephanie, all I needed was fresh produces some toothpicks and a glue gun!
“quite a few yixing pots”… I have failed miserably at my duties. :((
OMG! Don’t beat yourself over this…dex, if it weren’t from you, things would be so much more out of control!!!
(I may have done “things” since yesterday though)
She didn’t do it alone * blushes *
(shaking my head and heading back to my corner to play with my spread sheet – I’m going to be good and not buy more stuff…)
Dexter, i got help from an outsider too, a yixing guru. Oops. i think I may have forgotten to tell you about him.
Yixing guru? Can he/she tell me if my mystery pot is safe to drink out of? I see a whole collection of them in your future ;)
Lol, send me a picture again. Will ask him. Dunno if he can tell from a picture though :-/
Dexter, I’m not guru, but I want to see a pic. I’m quite obsessed with yixing lately
The veggie/fruit wrap is priceless. You are so creative.
Boychick
I have this set from Teavivre…
http://s1308.photobucket.com/user/Dexter3657/media/5233884c-3414-40aa-a60f-c5669f922a88_zps0cdbac01.jpg.html?sort=2&o=5
I have this one from Camellia Sinensis:
http://s1308.photobucket.com/user/Dexter3657/media/SpecialDarkPot1_zps46ba2ef9.jpg.html?sort=2&o=37
This one from Mandala:
http://s1308.photobucket.com/user/Dexter3657/media/mandalaPot_zpsc586f652.jpg.html?sort=2&o=39
This one from Mandala:
http://s1308.photobucket.com/user/Dexter3657/media/IMG_2833_zpsac226e36.jpg.html?sort=2&o=47
And this one that I bought locally and I’m not sure if it’s real or not….
http://s1308.photobucket.com/user/Dexter3657/media/IMG_27791_zpsc83eabc3.jpg.html?sort=2&o=41
Fairy – I’ll take some better photos and the stamp on the bottom and send them to you some day soon. I agree not sure how you tell from a photo…
I was must gonna say that, thanks.
And thanks boychik…my imagination runs wild sometimes :-o
Dexter, I think it’s safe, it’s looks like purple clay, no weird color. Again I dunno. it looks big. What about smell, sound?
My Camellia one is HUGE – but I seasoned it with Special Dark so that’s ok.
The one in question is about 200 ml. It looks ok, and smells ok to me. The clerk at the store wouldn’t commit to anything other than “clay” – but there was a language barrier. I know it’s not that well made – the lid doesn’t fit completely tight – can’t stop the pour buy blocking the hole in the lid.
It was cute, I was having a bad day – needed some shopping therapy, and I was just excited to have found one locally – so I bought it…
I have 2 new yixing en route…
I love my tiny teapots!
Dexter, I’m more concern with quality of clay than craftsmanship. It’s ok if lid is not tight, doesn’t effect
I understand that it’s the quality of clay that’s a concern – but I’m thinking crap craftsmanship = crap clay… maybe…? I’m not sure what I’m going to do with it yet – it’s cute – it sits on a book case… maybe one day I’ll season it and see if it tastes funny…
Dexter, don’t forget to send me the pics. Try to also take a pics of the inside, it can tell a lot. Also, don’t wait too long, i might not be in contact with yixing guru eternally :-) he was so nice with me, I’m sure he might be able to tell us something if the pictures are clear enough.
Never underestimate the power of kindness…I know it doesn’t show much here, but I’ve been struggling with lots of serious issues for over a year now. I had an appointment I wasn’t looking forward to this morning, but I still went cause well, I don’t have much of a choice.
I showed discouragement in front of the person I was seeing…He told me not to worry, and this:
«Moonlight drowns out all but the brightest stars».
Just a few words, but one of the nicest thing anyone has ever told me…it gave me hope and made me feel special.
Just sharing as a reminder of how important it is to show kindness whenever we can…it’s easy and makes someone’s day look brighter in no time :-)
When I got home, I opened Steepster and had this tea cause someone else was having it and I really love it.
It’s my “cream of mushroom” pu’erh. Yes, big notes of cream and mushrooms.
It provides such a sweet and silky mouthfeel.
Just as I wrote in previous review, it has very distinct taste of turnips. The person who made me think of having this tea said they found ginger. I admit I never would have found ginger on my own, but by being aware of it, I searched for it and found it at the fourth steep. It is a little spicy in that way. Could be the power of suggestion, but I thought it was amusing to experiment.
It’s so very smooth, it’s like velvet for the mouth.
Thank you Mandala for another excellent shou…
I have noticed that lots of pu’erh lovers have a preference between the two. As I’ve been diving into the world of pu’erh, I ask this question: Is it possible to be both a shou and a sheng girl?
Cause as far as I’m concern, I just love them equally!
Pic of the day, Temple Stairs session:
Hug
<3
I just ordered their new $5 sampler, but I don’t think this one is included. Although there is one called Year of the Dragon that sounds right up my alley and I’ve never seen anyone review in on Steepster. Interesting!
And you’re one of the kindest people around, so I hope you get kindness in return on a regular basis! <3
Hugs
Oh, TTF. Hugs! You shine so brightly, there’s no chance of you being drowned out by any moon!
Have I told you I love your pot? It matches to the shou. Perfect combo;)
I love y’all <3
Lol, can’ remember if I have year of the dragon cameron, will have to check. But sounds food to me! I can’t wait to read what you have to say about Mandala’s eas :-)
And boychick, I just adore the pot, thank you!!!
Don’t be silly mj, TeaFairy is totally the moon! :P
Lol, something wrong with that comment “s eas”? What the hell did I mean? All I wanted to say is thanks and I love y’all!
Awww, you guys…. <3
I see where you’re coming from, but I have to disagree Cameron B. TeaFairy shines with her own light rather than just reflecting the light of another :-P
(Yes, I took it there. I couldn’t help myself. This is why people don’t like hanging out with scientists.)
Nah, moon is cold and lifeless, she is hot and explosive
AWWW YEAH? WELL… THEN SHE’S THE SUN! SO THERE! ;)
(Hiding in a corner, watching the battle)
Cameron, forgot to mention, i love your new pic, and your as cute as a button.
Not fighting. Me fighting? North Star. You can always find your way out with it when you lost.
Cameron is very cute. I told her already. For some reason I had a different image of you. I like the original
And I do live up north :-)
If she’s the sun, she’s still a star :-P. We’re both right?
Hugs and thanks for people who seem to know exactly what we need and when we need it. I’m sorry for you struggles but I’m glad you have a supportive person helping you through it.
Your light will never be dim as long as you allow it to shine.
Yyz, mrmopar…all of you, thank you, I just adore this place <3
Hugs! And just so you know, reading your words brightens my day as well! :)
Thank you so much Caile :-)
How sweet <3 And this tea is wonderful. Also I always enjoy your photos :)
25 Likes + 26 Comments = a whole lot of <3!
Stephanie, what great compliment coming from the wonderful artist that you are :-)
LooseTman, I’m overwhelmed with <3
New and improved S’mores!!!
So I can’t really handle smoke all that much. Not a Lapsang kinda gal.
But somehow, I enjoy this tea. I have to admit that I even liked the previous version…with its evil red rooibos and its much heavier smoke. (The smoke killed the rooibos though, yay!)
So what’s new? Rooibos: Gone!! Smoke: a lot less.
It’s still got a lot of character, but it’s smoother and more accessible than its precedent version. The light smoke marries really well with the chocolaty base and the cinnamon. This is not a s’mores “flavoured” tea, it’s a blend, so do not expect the taste of real s’mores. It’s more the idea of s’mores…cool summer nights, campfire, good times, good fun, great company.
For me, this represents the outdoors transformed into a comforting beverage. It’s not delicate and girly, but rather manly.
In conclusion, this tea is like a good handyman, something reliable that you can always count on, cause it does the job just right!
Hmm, I put off getting this one with my first order because the smoke intermediated me, but I think I need to give it a shot when I order next time.
Mandy, it is smokey…but in such a lovely way.
This is also available in non-smoked via a checkbox on the product page :)
I love the idea of a smoked smores tea, and I love the idea of not putting rooibos in there, too ;)
Yay for no rooibos
What?? Non-smoked version? Best news everrrrrr
I love handyman teas. They are the best.
Verdant episode.
Recently I ordered a shitload of Laoshan Black Chocolate Genmaicha. 8oz. cause I like it. A lot.
Since I was getting a little insecure about my Laoshan Black supply, I also got 2oz of the new harvest, just to make me feel better.
When the order arrived, in the box I found a huge 8oz pouch of LBCG and also a 2oz pouch of the same. So 10oz total of LBCG!!! But no LB :-(
I emailed Verdant, and in no time, they had this matter resolved. They let me keep the extra LBCG and shipped the LB that was MIA in no time. They were so nice and professional as usual, and I got my LB today! Thank you Verdant for handling this so well, I really appreciate it :-)
Now this tea. I’m having it in my black tetsubin reserved for black tea. I don’t use it as often as the one I keep for green, but for some reason, LB just tastes better in that pot.
Last harvest was missing a little bit of that rich chocolate flavour I thought. (Though always super tasty, LB is not always consistent from one harvest to the next I find)
But chocolate is back in force now!
Oh, it’s so yummy. Crusty sour dough bread notes, honey and dark chocolate. It’s medium bodied, but still super rich and flavourful.
The pot keeps it warm, and similar to a yixing clay pot, you don’t wash tetsubin, you just wipe it or quickly rinse it, so over time, it retains some of the flavour. That’s probably why I get the best results with it for LB. For me, it’s best brewed this way or western style. It’s one the rare tea I find that doesn’t taste as good gongfu style. Go figure, maybe I’m just weird.
Pic of this morning’s session:
I was just gonna sit with this tea , enjoy it and be happy.
But it has put a spell on me and I feel compelled to write another review.
Ever since I’ve been using my Vanilla Dream yixing pot, this tea keeps getting better and better. Having this gives me the same warming feeling a good quality sheng does. Yes, it’s as rewarding. Any sceptical tea purists in the house? Well let me tell you how much you are missing on if you’re a non believer. This tea is a “whoa” inducer, goes straight to your senses.
This blend is innovative and completely unique. It almost creates a new flavour that doesn’t exist, making it almost impossible to describe. Sweet, savoury, salty, spicy, but not quite umami. The vanilla bean renders a rich and heavy mouthfeel. To make things even more complex, a fresh eucalyptus finish emerges at the end of the sip…mix that with the minerals of the clay pot, and you get a taste that lingers in the mouth forever, just like any good oolong or sheng pu’erh would. Complexity at its best…
Although I don’t drink much heavy liquor, I would compare Port to a fine aged whisky…something you can’t put a price on cause every time you drink it, you feel lucky you got the chance to experience such a gem.
The vanilla yixing makes all those Vanilla Dreams teas so much better and they are already amazing to start with. I’m not having vanilla this morning (yet) I’m having an excellent post-Dark Beauty cup of Jabberwocky
Great review! It made me think of this song haha
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwXai-sgM-s
The Jabber really “wocks” missy, as I like to say :-)
Lol, Mj, good call and thanks, and I always loooved that song!! Have you ever heard the Nina Simone’s version?
O. M. G.
Nina Simone is just amazing! I love her so!!!!!!!
That’s right sarsy, Nina simone is a queen and I worship her…
Just one more reason that you’re so awesome… The list keeps growing…
I will have port one of these days. Brenden recommended I not go for port just yet, and thought I’d like cocoa amore better (LOVE IT!) although I did decide to go with jabberwocky this morning when I was debating between the two.
Sars, I love that one.
There’s an amazing remix with Nina’s vocals and an upbeat track. It’s amazeballs. I couldn’t find it on the YouTube. :(
OMGeeee! Found it!!!
http://val.fm/feeling-good-joe-claussell-remix-nina-simone-mp3/
I’d never heard of Nina Simone before today. Thanks for introducing me, ladies :)
No picture today!
Cheri, I think I understand why Brenden told you to start with some other VD tea. It’s so different from any other tea I have ever tried, it kind of surprised me the first time I had it.
And yo, cocoa amore!!!
The remix is awesome Sarsy, thanks for sharing!
Mj, So happy this made you discover Nina!Sinnerman is the most popular remix I think…it played in movies and commercials, maybe you’ve heard it without even knowing it was her voice…
Lol, Christeana, I thought I’d give you a break of my pics. But I drank some amazing tea this morning and will review with pics later :-)
This sencha is a such a lovely tea.
It represents everything I love about green tea. It is sweet, a little grassy with a salty marine breeze at the end of the sip. It’s very clean, and if prepared right, brings zero astringency to the cup.
Once wet, the leaves turn into a vibrant emerald green, just stumning!
I’m having it in a tetsubin pot tonight. Beautiful tea, beautiful teaware.
Because I know some of you like to watch, here are my pics:
Drinking grass again, my little croissant?
Yes, sarsy, because green keeps you clean!! Are you shenging tonight?
I’m not, sadly. Our friends came over for tv night before I could get my pot seasoned and dinner made. We had golden orchid instead. I’m planning to sheng in the AM, though!!!!
Lol, sheng before work, that will get you going!
Nice! You take really good pics
Thanks Krystal.
Ooo I love me a salty sencha! Am gonna put this one on my list!
Really Cwyn, on top of being super delicious, this sencha is bargain for the quality that you get.
Definitely will be getting this, on my wish list. I comb the tea reviews looking for that salty flavor ever since I ran out of Leaf and Spoon’s salty sejak, they don’t carry it anymore and I crave marine green.
There’s a saying that goes like this:
«In doubt, go for GO» … That’s what I did. And I did good.
Oh, and since Steepster is on an Instagram craze, here’s this morning’s big mug pic of GO
I did the same thing at your suggestion – GOOD idea!
Hehe…it always works, I never go like “oh, maybe I was in the mood for something else” when I go with GO.
Nope – that never happens to me either. I love GO the MOST along with Special Dark
I don’t know what I like best anymore, WP got me all confused!!!
Yeah it does that. But GO in my VD pot makes me hear angels singing…
Port is my guy for tiny VD pot…the smell of it makes me weak in the knees.
I know this about you. I need to bust out some Port. Maybe later today.
I followed you on instagram. I would love to send you so alishan my friend from Taiwan sent me. Right from the farm….
Oh charles, you make this very hard to resist…
Yumz!!!!
What better tea to drink while writing my love letter to Whispering Pines Tea for the contest?
http://steepster.com/discuss/8397-the-profess-your-love-contest
This tea started it all…my addiction to WP. I remember when I read that description, I knew this it was going to me mine!
I just love it. The taste is perfection. It flows like a silk ribbon in my mouth. Sweet salty caramel, cocoa, dried fruit compote, slightly floral…I can’t get enough of it!
It’s an explosion of liquid happiness.
I never want to be without this. Ever.
This is my absolute favorite tea ever :). I must never be without it. We belong together lol
I know right? And now I’m running low and I’m hopping my order hasn’t shipped yet cause I want to add some!!
I bought 3 oz not too long ago, so I’m sitting pretty for now. I’m sure Brenden can hook you up! He let me change my order from 2oz to 3oz with no problem. It was Monday and I was on the struggle bus hardcore, which he understood.
Yes, as long as it hasn’t shipped yet, I ordered just a few days ago so it should be ok. Lol, for the last few months, I feel like I’ve had an ongoing order that never ends with WP, I always want or need someting else!! I want ALL the TEA!!!
I’ve felt the same way and it’s completely his fault. As soon as I order, he comes up with a new amazing tea that I just have to have!
Lol, EXACTLY!!!
I know this isn’t a snaily yum review, but I couldn’t resist. This snail is like “Oh hey Tea Fairy, thanks for stopping by”
https://www.facebook.com/425528437562422/photos/pcb.626639454117985/626639314117999/?type=1&theater
Awww…ok, I am so angry at people who eat snails right now!!
Gastropods FTW!
Haha!
Snaily pic!
Someone just sent me a sample of this!
@christeana1 – you will love it!
It’s pure awesomeness…
As you may know by now, I love taking tea and nature photos. I’m just a casual photographer with no special skills, but I like to capture life’s unexpected blissful moments. One morning this week, I checked out my window and this is what I saw:
http://instagram.com/p/rHsiYJQh_C/
The beauty in this world…simple pleasures, big rewards…such as this tea.
It’s delicate and yet so powerful. When you drink it, you are taken by its beauty.
I brewed it Laoshan Style, in a tall glass. This is reminiscent of my beloved Sleeping Bear of course, the jasmine part.
It’s fresh and floral, but not overly perfumed. The name is just right…for being in the rain and by the river quite often in my neck of the woods, I can appreciate that.
It’s so sweet and a little nutty. It’s not very grassy or herbaceous for a green tea, a thing that might appeal to non green tea lovers.
The perfect afternoon companion, while Steepstering and reading a book…
<3
Beautiful picture!
I still can’t beleive I took a pic of Bambi!
You should have rubbed its belly :)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/01/baby-deer-belly-rub-cuddle-freaks-out_n_5641931.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063
Omg…poor thing though, I almost cried. Hope the mother did not abandon it.
Beautiful!
Gorgeous!
Oh me too! I just thought it was cute how much it liked having its belly rubbed
So Cool! I miss living in an area where animals visited me, living in the suburbs is so not for me. Awesome photo, thank you for sharing!
Thanks guys….
and mj, no worries I’m just over sensitive, you always find cutest things :-)
Amanda, I’ve had my share of living in the big city and the suburbs, until I found my spot. hope you find yours too :-)
Bambi is cute :)
What a cutie! My mom lives down a dirt road, so I’m used to seeing Bambis and Thumpers, but I swear the Florida heat fries their brains and I’ve almost hit one more than once when they decide that the perfect time to jump across the dirt road is right when I’m driving by. My favorite though are the bears, they’re so. freaking. cute! especially the little cubs. Ugh, I miss the wild life, but I don’t miss the 8 legged freaks.
Now following you on Instagram.
WP, you must have your share of Bambis in your forest too :-)
mandy, I don’t have that many, that’s why I get so excited when I see one! And I loooove the bears!!! But yes, I do have to deal with the 8 legged beasts :-o
Donkeytiara, following back :-)
I swear, I only see the deer on the road, not on my actual property, so I get more excited when I see one while someone else is driving, because I’m the worst driver, and they always make my heart pound of my chest when they dart in front of me.
Especially since I actually hit a deer with a 4wheeler when it did that to me when I was younger. He ran off, and I was going slow enough that I don’t think I hurt him, but I was crying so hard that someone had to drive my 4wheeler back for me. I was devastated.
Also, followed you (;
Mandy that makes me think of The Gilmore Girls where Rory was hit by a deer while she was driving.
Oh, that’s so sad mandy…hope you didn’t get hurt, its very dangerous.
Following you back!
Marzipan it was very much like that, haha
TTF I was going 5 maybe 10 miles an hour, physically I was fine, just very scared that I hurt him
Yeah, i totally get that…I would have been been too.
I really need to start instagramming again…
Yeah, I’m doing it. I still don’t quite have the hang of it yet, but you can follow me here http://instagram.com/whisperingpinestea :-)
Great, I’ll follow brenden…I kind of like it now that I got the hang of it myself :-)
This tasting note and all of the comments are making me think that I need to start an instagram….
I actually started only last week clint because of this:
http://steepster.com/discuss/3958-steepster-members-on-instagram?page=1
It’s fun!
I suppose I’ll make one then! Peer pressuuuuure
Lol, Just do it!!!
Don’t forget to link us :-)
I might make one just so I can write smoochy notes to WP.
Yes, I’ll post my smoochy note there too…
I made one! Time to start following people and taking pictures! Wooo
Clint, are you paperduckins???
I heart you and your mini bambi!
Yup, I am paperduckins! I haven’t had a chance to post any pictures or anything yet though :(
No problems clint, following you ;-)
The Jabber has become a necessitea
Crap…yep…another one…like I said the first time we drank it remember? Gonna fix myself another cup…and might have to get more cause I’m running low!!!
It’s a total necessitea! (that’s cute, MzPriss:) )
Also, good morning! New snaily pic: https://www.facebook.com/425528437562422/photos/pcb.628819440566653/628819313899999/?type=1&theater
Morning mj :-)
Awwww! Loooove!!!! Omg. For real.