The Silk Tea Co.
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Geek Steep S3E20 – Firefly (TV Series)
Pot of tea!
This is the tea that I drank while rewatching the episodes for our finale! I thought this blend of lapsang and gunpowder was very thematically on the nose. Very similar to Mandalorian, this had a similar smoky mix of dingey, dusty ranches/farmland and gunsmoke/machinery that I think I must just associate with Space Westerns. However, the differentiator here is a very zesty, fresh squeezed top note of orange that then bleeds into the heavier pine smoke.
I felt that this element was very refreshing since it added a brightness that mirrors the more lively, quippy cast. As I said during recording, yes some of these characters feel heavier as they’ve already got so much trauma – and the smokiness works well with that. However, you need something with a little levity to fit the softer, more gentle and free spirited presences on the show.
A good full spectrum representation.
Gongfu!
I’m trying to maximize my weekend tea sessions in the park while it’s still nice enough outside to do so. Today was pleasantly brisk outside, with a relaxing stillness to the park that felt perfect for this soft and buttery Dong Ding oolong – like a moment captured in time. I loved the silky texture of the tea with its playful and almost lush floral profile; a mix of peony, orchid, and lilacs. Arguably more Spring-like, but still very apropos of the still mostly bright green colours in the surrounding space. Every now and then I caught a soft, creamy note of macadamia nut in the finish, which was delicious and special each time it happened.
Uncharacteristically, the park was totally empty this afternoon except for myself. Though I usually listen to music with headphones in when brewing outdoors, I did selfishly take advantage of the rare chance to play my music in the open without disturbing anyone. It was more immersive and highlighted certain aspects of the session in a much more calming and meaningful way…
Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/CzPCg0-uTG_/?img_index=1
Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR46TgFpSgY
Gongfu!
If I hadn’t already been transfixed because of the subtle green melon aroma I was getting from the dry leaf, the explosion of fresh and aromatic florals that flooded my senses the moment the water hit the water would have gotten me. Perhaps it’s partly because I’m coming off a long stretch of pu’erh, but the bouquet of this Taiwanese Grand Cru oolong is just insane.
Steeped up, the liquor is smooth and buttery with just a hint of the green melon I was picking up as dry leaf. Though grassy, the flavour is also quite floral – like a bouquet of white Spring flowers lightly dipped in fresh sugar cane. The finish introduces hints of coconut milk, which lean further into the buttery quality of the tea. Divine!
Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/CxV9tY6OQcx/?img_index=1
Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKbH0eZDSO0
In my head I was remembering this tea as a bit more medicinal tasting, so I was surprised when I took my first sips of this mug and was met with more of a creamy yogurt sort of note. Strawberry, too. Fresh with a hint of a tart snap to it. Very “strawberries and cream” as an overall profile with a nice mix of bright top notes and silky vanilla/cream in the finish. Rooibos forward to be sure, but just not quite as medicinal as I think I experienced my first go round.
I have admittedly been putting off trying this tea because the dry leaf aroma smells very medicinal to me, which is concerning as a person who seems to have a very high tolerance for the more medicinal side of rooibos. However, I finally made it over the weekend and I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected to. I still think there’s a slightly mineral and woody edge that might be a problem for the more rooibos hesitant folk out there, but the strawberry was plump and ripe tasting and there was a very nice silky creamy/yogurt undertone that combined with the berry made me think of Campino hard yogurt candies. Which was nostalgic.
Gongfu!
Brewed this one up last weekend in my dad’s garden. The flowers are the perfect backdrop for this lightly oxidized oolong from Thailand as the lighter body and aromatic floral top/body notes fit in perfectly. Lilac, gardenia, and violet notes practically prance to the forefront of nearly every steep! Add to that a beautifully silky mouthfeel and a slightly creamy undertone and the lingering aftertaste of ripe green melon, and it’s a perfect session for a lazy Sunday afternoon in the heart of Summer!!
Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/CvVfG-oOYqV/?img_index=1
Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4RXQPTU0kk
Gongfu!
I knew this tea would be interesting from the moment I cracked open the sample bag and was hit with a wave of wood and spice aromas mixed with a brighter note of freshly macerated strawberries. Though strawberry didn’t come through in the steeped notes, this seven year old aged Taiwanese oolong did continue to be pretty intriguing and nuanced.
After a few softer steeps, while the leaves really opened up, this full bodied and deeply woody tea really started to pop off with notes of allspice, petrified woods and pine sap, clove, nutmeg, baked quince, and sandalwood. Lots and lots of sandalwood, actually. Somewhere in the middle of the session I got an infusion with a particularly notable cozy and fruity undertone of apple butter – that was my favourite part of the session, especially with the range of almost Autumnal spice notes present.
I think the only really negative of the session (if you even want to go so far as to call it negative) was the backend astringency of each steep, and the slight numbness left on the bed of my tongue. I didn’t particularly mind the numbness, though it was strange. However the astringency had an almost “crawling” sensation where it would catch in the back of my throat as well. I do have a tendency to leaf a little heavy with oolongs though, so that could maybe be resolved with a lighter touch…
Side note! After years of having some of my Jojo’s Bizarre Adventures volumes in the background of my tea space I’ve finally switched things up and rotated in some new graphic novels and manga. Still deciding if I like it, though it’s definitely a bit brighter feeling!
Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct62Ad3OnDT/
Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3m-IhgWyAo
Gongfu!
This afternoon I’m continuing to sip through The Silk Tea Co’s newest collection of oolongs with a session of Temple of Stone!! Though the most immediate notes are of cassia, charred campfire wood, roasted chestnuts, wet stones and nutmeg there’s a definite fruity sweetness that slowly builds and pushes up on the palate from beneath the layers of roast, mineral, and spice. My first thought was more ethereal in that it tasted “purple,” but after some contemplation I’ve settled that it’s more a mix of jammy plum and black currant flavours! It is, as the name suggests, a lot of stone though…
It’s not a secret that I have a soft spot for rock oolongs, so I was definitely excited to try this one. Unlike the typical yancha from China, it’s actually from Yilan in Taiwan though, thanks to generations of shared knowledge, you really can’t taste the difference. As Marika once said to me super casually, terroir is as much people as it is land. Definitely, definitely, definitely thinking about that a lot as I sip on these infusions.
Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/CtkKDsrO3ol/
Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0ftjm9KrXk
Cold Brew!
Currently sipping on this one and it’s honestly mostly just reminding me of DT’s Magic Potion. The original one, not the newer version from a couple years ago with the popped rice in it. I guess what I mean by that is that it’s definitely quite sweet with a bit of a more ethereal and non-specific blue berry flavour. Not blueberry, but blue berry.
It’s fine, but it’s definitely less immediately appealing to me than many of The Silk Tea Co’s other blends have been. I do love a good berry blend, but usually I like more clarity of flavour notes in my berry teas and less of this coating sweetness.
I hate the name of this tea, buuutttt it does taste really good. I made a mug last night and it was both smooth and aromatic while also having just a hint of astringency and a pleasant bitterness. The bitterness, specifically, is that kind of partly maillard and partly sweet bitterness of very burnt sugar. It was accompanied by notes of creme anglais, vanilla, and orange peel that all together gave off a really sophisticated and well balanced orange flavoured creme brulee profile. Not too sweet, but very decadent.
Cold Brew!
I hate the name of this tea, but in terms of flavour? I’m calling this first tasting a smashing success. As I was drinking, the things that were coming to mind were Creme Brulee, with that lovely darkly sweet and slightly bitter burnt sugar crust but also the rich vanilla custard. However, it’s also got notes of orange that balance out those creamy and mailard flavours. The orange is incredibly dense and aromatic, almost more of a reduced/cooked down vibe versus anything candy like or fresh and vibrant. It reaaalllyyyyy works exceptionally with those burnt sugar notes.
Can’t wait to try this one hot! I sense a lot of complexity to this blend, and just some really well balanced flavours overall.
Flavors: Brown Sugar, Burnt Sugar, Custard, Orange, Vanilla
Picked this up from MJ’s recent “Passport Collection” of single origin oolongs!
I’ve been eagerly waiting for this collection to drop since it was first teased by MJ and TeaWithJann several months ago, and this first tasting doesn’t disappoint!! Smooth and medium bodied, this tea boasts wonderful golden honey notes that fit its namesake perfectly and is amplified further with toasty and softly floral tasting notes of orchid and osmanthus!
All I could think about while sipping was Ambrosia, which made for the perfect pairing with volume four of Lore Olympus – a Greek Mythology inspired web comic that I’ve been loving the printed version of. It just has such beautiful artwork and story telling!
Tea Photo: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ctcct0hrM3r/
Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q41K1xHS0g
Oh, yum!
I was unsure how I would feel about the mix of green and black teas, but I find myself way too distracted by the scrumptious lemon notes to care. They’re somewhere in between more of a silky, sweet lemon cream and a more baked tasting lemon pastry. Lemon panna cotta keeps popping in my head as a reference point, and I’m not mad at that comparison. I do wish I tasted more distinct pistachio, but I can’t help but wonder if it’s just subtly adding to the very natural sweetness level and those baked good/pastry elements as nut inclusions in blends are want to do.
Too early to confidently say this, but it this my new favourite tea from The Silk Tea Co? I don’t know, maybe! It’s certainly made a very good first impression.
The first time I tried this blend I steeped it for the recommended 30 to 40 seconds, let it cool, then poured it over ice as intended to be enjoyed. Once steeped, I had more of the vanilla bean aroma but the floral and booze-like notes were still there. Now it was time to taste, and wow. This blend is really special; I immediately got the deep vanilla flavor, complemented and balanced by the floral notes I got from the oolong. Together I got a decadent and sweet butter rum-like flavor that I’ve never had in a tea that wasn’t overly processed or full of artificial flavoring. I honestly can say that I’ve never had something like this blend before and I’m just still pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this blend; it was so smooth and slightly sweet. Having a cool and light tea like this on such a hot day was just an experience that I’ll never forget; I drank the entire 30 oz pitcher by myself! I was a bit tea drunk afterward but I enjoyed it.
Then I tried a few other ways described on the packaging, hot, with milk and honey, and cold brewed. I opened the package the moment I received it to cold brew some since it does take 12+ hours. When I tried it hot I also steeped it for 30 to 40 seconds as recommended; the vanilla bean provided a warm and comforting element that certainly would make this blend perfect for a cool, crisp mid-fall day. Just the mere change in temperature changed everything; making a crisp, cool, light, and floral tea and then transforming it into something rich and comforting. Then I tried it with milk and honey, honey is my preferred sweetener but I’m sure any sweetener would have the same effect; and wow did it change a lot? When I added the milk and honey into the mix, I was met with a beautifully creamy vanilla flavor. Making the tea into a decadent and dessert-like treat that seemed like a guilty pleasure; spoiler alert. I wasn’t guilty, I went in for another cup! Finally, I had the cold brew, with the cold brew I got more of the floral notes from the oolongs and safflower, cutting the sweetness of the vanilla flavor a bit and giving the tea a deliciously crisp bite and I can see myself cold brewing it time and time again.
Overall, I think that On the Rocks is a seriously incredible blend; it’s not often that I find a tea that is quite perfect anyway that you brew it. Although I preferred it over ice, I can see myself brewing it hot as the weather changes in the upcoming months. Another thing I liked was how much care and time MJ puts into the tea which makes the tea less like a beverage to just drink and move on from, but an experience to savor and ponder about. What I find with a lot of blends from The Silk Tea Co is how they’re able to transport you to a faraway place with just a few simple ingredients in a matter of minutes.
Flavors: Alcohol, Caramel, Cream, Marshmallow, Rum, Vanilla
Preparation
Bought another Silk Tea sampler so that I could try this. I love a vanilla tea, and this did not disappoint. This isn’t a vanilla bean blend, but rather a slightly boozy vanilla extract. I tried it plain, and it was delightful. Added some black sugar syrup…which ruined it. Definitely needs a more neutral sweetener. Can’t wait to try this as a latte with raw sugar.
Probably not something I would have ordered, as I don’t really like buying decaf green teas. But, it was included in a sampler (and I do enjoy rose teas).
This is a really nice rose flavor- not perfumey at all. I also get a bit of vanilla sweetness, as well as some lychee and cardamom. Seems like the flavors would contradict one another, but they work quite well.
Flavors: Cardamom, Lychee, Rose, Vanilla
Strange VariaTEA TTB: Tea 8
The packaging on this is so pretty. The tea is also quite lovely. It’s syrupy in its sweetness but not super dense, if that makes sense. There’s also a clear fig flavour with a rose top note. The caramel is present but blends into the fig. It’s nice. Not a flavour I would really ever crave but nice.
July Sipdown Prompt – a tea with more than five ingredients
This is the only tea I have the fits the prompt! I have several teas with five ingredients, but only one with more than five and here it is. The next time I drink it, it will be a sipdown.
They call this smokey but I have yet to discover any smoke, and for that matter, any black tea flavor. This tastes 100% like a delicious flavored oolong to me.
I made a big pot to share with ashman this morning before work, but we ended up with about ten ounces leftover. I saved it for lunch, stirred in a bit of sugar, and added ice cubes to enjoy it with lunch and what a shocker! This was amazing iced. The fruity and floral flavors intensified and made a beautiful glass of cold, refreshing respite from the heat.
I am really tempted to use what remains in the bag for a small pitcher of iced tea instead of a pot of hot…
When I looked this up to add the company description, I was surprised to see that they shut down every summer! I don’t recall seeing anything like that before. Fortunately, I was able to just take it from the bag.
April Sipdown Prompt – your fanciest tea
I almost saved this one for tomorrow to fulfill “your most aromatic tea” but I actually have one or two equally aromatic and this one definitely feels like the fanciest. A gift from Superanna – of course.
Clouds and drizzle all day yesterday, and clouds, rain, and storms expected today and tonight. I went all out by having this with breakfast and lighting a candle I hoard – Charles Dickens by Paddywax. If a candle can be a good pairing, wow is that one ever perfect to go with this tea.
Smoky Assam is the first ingredient listed. In aroma and taste there is no smoke and no Assam flavor. What there IS, though, is wonderfully fruity oolong that gives you three really good solid steeps. In the steeper, I saw a whole cardamom pod float to the top. There is so much fruit in this that you would think it would take two scoops of the blend to make enough actual tea in the basket, but not so. Golden color shimmers from the lovely oolong base.
I finished my waffles and the bacon I share with Sam and went to pour another cup. About two ounces dribbles out of the pot. I have glugged this 21 ounces down without even realizing how much I was drinking.
Due to the ingredients, I have to stop hoarding it now and drink it. I refuse to commit the crime of letting it fade.
I love Firefly and am glad you covered it! We tried to get the kids into it recently, but they aren’t there yet. The most amusing thing to them was that Captain Hammer is Mal.