teabento

So, recently I got the opportunity to sample and in turn review a range of teas from teabento – much to my delight that package arrived today so I’m digging into those samples! I have to just start by saying that I’m pretty impressed with the packaging for everything though!

The packets for the teas themselves are pretty nice; they’re in resealable bags bags that block out light, and have the perfect amount on information on them about the tea within! Plus the bento box is just so cute! And everything was shipped very well and securely – so I’m definitely impressed in that regard.

As for the tea itself…

I decided to do this one Western style for my first tasting because the majority of the milk oolong I’ve had in the past has been consumed Western style, so if I want to accurately compare this one to other milk oolongs I’ve had in the past that seems like the best way to do it!

Firstly, this one comes off as very light to me! Not that milk oolongs generally are super full bodied, but usually a bit more than this in my opinion. However, despite being super delicate/gentle in taste I’m initially fairly smitten with this one. It’s very smooth and silky, with a mild buttery creamyness to the flavour. However, as lovely as that buttery element is I think it’s actually second to a floral component; it’s more delicate floral notes rather than just heady florals. Things like orchid and lily notes! It reminds me a lot of the orchid notes in DT’s Vanilla Orchid sans the added in vanilla flavouring.

The most interesting thing about this tea to me, though, is the fact the company describes it as tasting like ‘mango’ – as soon as I saw that I knew I’d have to focus and see if I could find any mango notes in the tea. For me, the answer to that was disappointingly no; however, there were moments that I kind of picked up on a peachy sweetness in the finish of the liquor following that light wave of floral notes and buttery elements and I’m sure that’s likely what they were referring to?

So yeah – this was my first tea from teabento and I have to say that it was different than I expected it to be, but not in any way bad! I’d say among all of the other milk oolongs I’ve tried, I’d probably put this one somewhat in the middle or slightly above the middle. It’d be nice for times I wanted something light and calming; however I just wish it had slightly more body to it.

I needed something great this morning, and this one hits the spot! It amazes me how a simple sip of a tea can make me happy.

It’s a nutty milk chocolate taste today. Simply awesome!

Thanks, Teabento!

Absolutely delicious! It’s got the chocolate notes I’ve found and love in Laoshan blacks, but it’s much smoother—like a milk chocolate. I could tell that it would be good by the smell of the dry leaf. Definitely will order some of this one!

Thanks Teabento!

Another great sample from teabento!

I prepared the tea in a Kyusu at about 170 degrees. The pleasant (but not overpowering) jasmine aroma was evident shortly after the water hit the leaves, and grew stronger as the leaves began to unfurl.

The first infusion was really more a 1-minute rinse, and produced a nice cup. The second infusion was shorter – around 30-seconds and produced a delightful and aromatic cup.

The tea is light, minty and refreshing. The jasmine is very evident when it’s warm; as it cools, the flavor profile takes on a honey-like edge and the lingering taste of mint is more prominent.

Delicious, delightful and delectable!

After trying other Silver Needle teas, I was expecting something light and difficult to discern. This Vietnamese tea is actually quite distinct. The aroma is somewhat spicy, but still has a gentle floral tone to it.

The cup is delicate and creamy, but has an edge of smokiness to it. Overall very pleasant – infused four times in a gaiwan, ranging from 30-seconds to 5-minutes. This is interesting enough to order more and play with the times and temps a little more.

Thanks Ning-Ning and Teabento for allowing me to try and review your teas! :) Shipping was super fast. I decided to try this one first.

It’s really nice—buttery, floral, a little fruity, and a bit nutty as well. It reminds me of the Taiwan oolongs I’ve had before. Great start to trying your teas! Super impressed with the packaging too.

Thanks again!

I have received a well packed and presented bunch of samples from teabento (thank you very much) and this has been the first one I tasted.

I have steped it as follows:

-30sec – 80ºC: Sweet, clear colour, reminds me of grapes and floral. This is a soft white peony, quite good for what I have tasted until now.

- 1min – 70ºC: a bit stronger, still sweet and floral, the grapes notes are nearly dissapeared.

-1.5min – 60sec: a bit stronger, still floral but a bit astringent at the same time, less sweet.

I still have enough tea for another shot so I’ll try to vary the steps time and temperature in order to see how it evolves.

I’ll wait until the next shot (tomorrow) in order to give a veredict.