Red Blossom Tea Company

I get much better results on this tea using much higher concentration than recommended by Red Blossom. Using the suggested 2g/100mL and slightly cooler water makes this taste essentially like a typical (albeit very tasty) Yin Zhen white tea with a tad more heft. Using 5g/100mL and near-boiling water puts this much more in the realm of special-prep Jin Jun Mei, adding a whole host of aromas and flavors while still retaining the characteristics of a lighter infusion.
For the purposes of this review I used 5g in 100-125mL near-boiling water ranging from 93-98C, though the high end was used when the gaiwan had cooled a bit and the low end was used when it was nice and preheated so it kinda evens out. Each infusion progressed by one minute, so first infusion was one minute, sixth infusion was six minutes.

This is a mild tea. Fragrance, aroma, taste, and even color are pretty light… but gooood.

I keep wanting to say cocoa when relating to this tea in most all aspects, but really the characteristics are those I associate with the accents atop a dark chocolate bar rather than the actual chocolate base character. Really, the biggest similarity in dry fragrance and flavor is stone fruit. Peach/nectarine skin is prevalent in the dry fragrance while the wet leaf has more black plum aroma alongside the typical bran or toasted wheat aromas most bud-heavy Fujian red teas possess. Liquor aroma is very comforting and similar to honey on toasted wheat bread and a bit of nectarine preserves (here I will admit to a touch of cocoa powder in the aroma).

Flavor is resoundingly similar to a white peach with all kinds of light toasty goodness. Warm wheat rolls not long out of the oven (again, with a bit of honey). Second infusion wraps in an odd but pleasant note of caramelized onions and body is actually right up there with a lighter-bodied puerh. Third brings out a mixed spiciness of clove and cassia and the bran flavor has swung toward the taste of Grapenuts cereal and the taste of honeysuckle has come to play. Fourth was spicier, bringing in a California Bay edginess that comes off as slightly (but pleasantly) metallic while balancing against a slightly raised aspect of honeysuckle. By the fifth infusion the body and flavor have started to seriously wane and the predominant flavor is woody with a slight astringency making for a juniper character overall. Sixth tastes like an overbrewed Yin Zhen white tea… Not much more than a cottony flavor up front with lingering light astringency but a light sweetness pops up a couple seconds after each sip, making it taste a bit like water with a touch of honey in it, though there is still a faint wheat toast base flavor. When gulped, the honey expression is a lot more obvious in these brews, bumping this from a light sweet expression in aftertaste when sipping to a nectar-like tea when glugged. The first three brews is incredibly reminiscent of white peach, particularly when larger mouthfuls are taken.

Yummy toasty goodness. Basically a beefed-up Yin Zhen that is a bit nicer in cool weather. Pricey and you need to use quite a bit to justify the cost flavor-wise in my opinion, but I think the cost to flavor ratio is justifiable (though if using the recommended parameters I wouldn’t think so).

My early evening tea: If you can remember I forgot about this one the other day and I steeped it for a half-hour and it was still nice. Tonight I paid attention. Lovely fragrance and a soft delicious liquor. I am tasting honey and caramel. I never time anything so I am assuming it was around 4 minutes. I used the remainder of the sample bag which probably a bit over a teaspoon. This is not your typical black tea. I am actually getting very relaxed. Not a bad thing after this mornings Sheng. This is something I would definitely buy….

I brewed this in the Gaiwan and then went on an errand and forgot about it. So maybe 30 minutes later I have a strong tea but with no bitterness and very drinkable. I really cannot place a score on this one until I have a proper steeping. I did a second steep from the same leaves and it also came out very nice. But in all fairness to Red Blossom and to my fellow Steepsterites I will do this one again soon.

I’ve had this tea for far too long, well everyone on Steepster knows I have way too much tea as it is — so no surprises there!

I decided to cold brew this in the fridge overnight and it’s really good that way. this one isn’t as delicate as some white teas I’ve had and the cold brewing definitely brought out a lot of sweetness in it. Drank an entire glass in practically one gulp! I’ll have to remember this for the summer time. I seem to have better luck with cold brewing whites than I do in drinking them hot. :)

More Red Blossom tea today… I am trying to motivate to get my yoga done. Decided to pour this over some ice but I think I prefer it hot or at least cold brewed, the flavor got way too diluted. Still good though!

I really like white teas and this sunny and bright afternoon seems like the perfect time for it. It’s been a while since I’ve had this but clearly there is no reason to hoard it, since it won’t stay fresh forever! I don’t know if I got the rose water the last time I tried this, but I am definitely getting it today. A delicious sweetness in the finish as well.

I had to go in today to replace a gaiwan I just broke… how sad. I hope I can make the new one last a bit longer, I had accidentally dropped my lid on the floor and it broke.

Anyway far be it from me to resist trying something new. I wanted to try a white tea that I had never heard of before. I was told you could steep this in 190 F hot water for a minute or two but it wasn’t that sensitive to oversteeping. This new craft tea is supposed to be a hybrid of sorts between white and green. I also used a pretty high leaf to water ratio. I might try it again with a little less leaf.

This tea is a golden color when it’s brewed up. It doesn’t seem really flowery like a lot of other white teas. It reminds me a bit of an oolong – probably due to the higher oxidation here. It’s a little sweet like honey and has a nice soft finish that’s a bit apricot-y. This I can see being a really nice every day tea, especially for the afternoons since it’s gentle and kinda low in caffeine. I am saving some of the leaves for when I wake up from my afternoon nap.

I had a touch left of my sample so I cold brewed it in a Mason Jar that was half full. I let it steep for 2 days. I am getting this citrus-burnt- orange- cinnamon- wood flavor that is really wild. Very refreshing and very exotic.

I received this as a sample with my order. I was not bashful with the steep times and the result was very good. Dense fruit and very flavorful. Truly a very enjoyable tea. I was getting a burnt orange cinnamon spice flavor. A lovely aroma. The taste lingers in my mouth….

This tea has incredible staying power. The same tea that I reviewed 2 days ago is still in the Yixing and still putting out. I have literally lost count how many times I steeped this. Although it is much weaker it still commands respect.

I drank this on Christmas Day and I thought at first that they mislabeled this. I could of swore it was a Shu. Today I am revisiting this beauty knowing full well that is a Sheng. The first cup has this lovely sweet mustiness. This tea is a true luxury. Dark and seductive. Truly one of those teas that every tea connoisseur must have at least once. I personally put it on my must have list after reading Amy ohs glowing review that rings true. This is the true beauty of Steepster and the internet. A lady on the other side of the USA can tell us all about this lovely Sheng that comes from a shoppe in San Francisco. I ordered almost immediately. Talk about conquering haste! My second cup was steeped for much longer than I would normally do. The result is nothing short of superb. This is without a doubt the finest Sheng I have had the pleasure to imbibe. It is making me glow. I am also relaxed beyond belief. It definitely is a tea for quiet contemplation.

I am treating myself today. This is definitely a top of the line Shu. The third steep is where this tea is really taking off. The first could be considered a rinse even though I drank it. The second was very aromatic with flavors so wild I cannot be certain of their origin. Now with the third steep sinking in I am feeling the true beauty of this wonderful tea.

OMG. Wow. This is one of those teas that open everything up. The dry leaf had that ancient aroma that is absolutely mindbending. My first thoughts after a quick steep were that I am going to be in for more than a treat. Very true. The aroma that hit me at first seemed to be of anise if it were locked away for 15 years. This is true of the flavor too. It is giving me those awesome tea chills. It is so full of ancient flavor yet it is very clean and inspiring. Teas like this really open your mind, body and soul. Everything seems more intense. Music, I am listening to The Chieftains " The Bells of Dublin ", an album I have heard a hundred times before and all of a sudden I am hearing it as if it was the first time. Teas like this will take you on a journey. An escape from the humdrum. To another time and another place….

I haven’t had this tea in ages… everytime I see it, I feel sad since I got it as a Christmas present from the ex last year. It really is an excellent tea though.

I’m also in no hurry to drink it since it doesn’t go bad. I steeped some up today in the koi teapot I have.

http://sanfrantea.teatra.de/2012/08/13/new-yixing-koi-teapot/

I really have come to enjoy loose leaf pu-erhs. After 30 seconds, I am getting sensations of fruitiness, nuttiness, in addition to a touch of sweet cream on the finish. I did write an extensive note about it months ago, so you can read that if you’re interested.

This reminds me that I need to pay a visit to Red Blossom Tea soon!

I am treating myself to this today. It’s been a while and I forgot how good it is! (see previous notes)

I don’t work for the Red Blossom Tea company or own stock in them I just keep finding delightful treasures there and I usually only rate teas this high that I think I would be anxious to do without… this is one of them. :)

This was the boyfriend’s choice but he knows what I like. I had one infusion of 90 seconds and subsequent infusions of 20-30 seconds. I was drinking this last night and this morning I had to do a reality check to see if it was as good as I remembered.

If you’ve ever had a golden yunnan you know something about what this tea is like. It’s malty, chestnutty, sweet and creamy in addition to earthy! I do not detect much camphor here if any. It still has that pu-erh twang that comes with the aging process but this is now almost 15 years old and is delightfully mellow. For me this is a real treat that redefines my conceptions of what a pu-erh can be. Of course I am still newish to this sphere but if I had to pick one shou to keep on hand at all times this would no doubt be it.

I had the Emperor Pu-erh a few days ago and I am finding this one to be very different but the quality is there for both of them. I love the cleanness of these teas. I only wish they had small samplers so people could try the whole lot for a bit of a smaller price. Of course I am fortunate that I live in San Francisco so I can just go there. Yay!

We went to see the film “Moonrise Kingdom” this afternoon, which was wonderful. Then had Japanese curry and veggie gyoza at this weird little restaurant called “On the Bridge”. By the time I got home I needed something to settle my stomach and decided to treat myself to this delicious pu-erh. I got 2 oz. of it a few months ago, and am trying to make it last. :-D

I made it quite dark and luscious, even a bit creamy, and I am so happy with the effects! I’m not sure if I should resteep the leaves too often since I might be awake all night, but will certainly relish the yummy tea I have at the moment. This tea is now 16 years old and it smooth and superb. See previous notes for more info.

It would be difficult for me to top my sheng experience from last night but I was in the shop and before they managed to chase me out I decided to pick this one up also. It’s hard to imagine these people selling a really terrible tea so I did not think I was taking a big risk by buying this without tasting it first. They have so many gorgeous looking teas but I’m on a pu-erh kick for the time being it seems.

I infused this for 2 minutes the first time and then 30 seconds for each infusion after that (about 5). It’s very smooth with lots of plummy sweetness, deep earthiness and a malty roastedness. I am getting some camphor here in the finish which is not my favorite thing but fortunately the camphor is not totally overshadowing the other flavors so it seems somewhat subdued. It is quite a delicious mix for my morning here. I have a feeling their shan shou-puerhs may be more of my thing. This is a very tasty brew though, I am sure I will have no problems finishing it.

Finally I’ve had a sheng that makes me understand what shengs are all about and why anyone would want to drink one.

Dry leaves are so luxurious and smell of licorice and flowers. I want to bathe in this smell.

I’ve gone onto 7 infusions so far and they are all butter pecan delicious with a hint of creamy sweetness. Faintly musty and earthy but with a aftertaste that lingers. No sign of the flavor slowing down. No weird funkiness that make me wonder what this is and why I am drinking it. I love wild tea and this seems like a great showcase for it – a gorgeous mature and fully blossomed beauty that deserves my full attention and devotion. I wish I was better at describing these things. Bravo and A+. If I ever have a better sheng I will be amazed. I am seeing stars.

More accolades to come, I am sure….

I usually make the tea in this household. I seem to be the one drinking it the most or at least being more conscious of when I want some. So it very quickly turned into my job. For the first cup in the morning I typically make us a pot of something non-flavoured black of my own choice. If it’s flavoured it’s the Smoky Earl Grey, which I can stretch to a morning tea in spite of the flavouring on account of the smoke in it. So anyway, first cup is strictly my choice unless he requests something before I can make some.

After that I tend to ask him for preferences or show him one that I want and ask if he wants some. Sometimes I even force him to make a specific choice by asking elaborating questions about flavoured or non-flavoured or which type.

For this cup the answer was ‘something new’. Well that’s a rather wide concept when I don’t know what’s new to him. I can remember more or less what I’ve had and not had out of the collection, but I can’t remember what I’ve been feeding him. So he came out and picked one that neither of us has had before.

‘The Sacred Fujian,’ was his word choice when he found this one in the pouch basket.

So that’s what we’re having.

It smells heavily jasmine-y. So much so in fact that for the first time I’m realising that jasmine has a very lemon-y smell. This really rather too much flower for my taste normally, but at least it doesn’t smell like it’s got a bottle of perfume in it.

It’s quite flowery in taste as well, not quite to that point of tasting like dust but it’s getting there. Very grey flavour. I can’t really find the white tea underneath because of all this jasmine and and I feel a bit like I’m just sitting around drinking flowers.

I used to say that I’m not a fan of flower scented teas, but I think I’ll have start narrowing that down as I’m beginning to be able to notice some differences. I find magnolia acceptable enough and the honeysuckle yesterday was as well, although a bit dusty. I have not had super experiences with rose or jasmine, but I have had crysanthemum in a pu-erh once rather successfully, and there was also that one from Shang Tea once, the one that tasted like melons. Can’t remember what flower that was though. Tangerine blossoms, that was awesome.

But it seems that jasmine just falls in the Too Much area for me, which is typical when it’s the most popular flower to scent with. All in all, an acceptable tea, but not for me, really.

(I have previously reported that cats don’t like Lapsang Souchong. I can now reveal to the world that they find jasmine white offensive as well. Luna, on her way to join the Occupy Ang’s Lap movement, took one sniff and promptly changed her mind.)

I rate this tea 100 with no reservations. As with all Red Blossom teas, this green is extremely fresh, and includes a generous quantity of mint leaves which ensures a vibrantly aromatic cup. A+

This is an excellent Keemun—as they will explain to you in their store, it is very strong, and not for the faint of heart. I found it to be very agreeable.

Pretty similar to the Rose Black tea, also from Red Blossom Tea Company. I’d rate them the same too. They are pretty mild black teas, and they don’t really pack much punch of flavor. They are good go-to options when you have lots of friends over and want to make a whole pot at a time but it’s nothing majorly special. The Lychee flavor is very very mild, so if you’re looking for an obvious flavored lychee tea, this is not it. But it’s a good go-to option for larger crowds.