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drank Jasmine Pearls by Imperial Tea Court
1602 tasting notes

Song pairing: Darkside — Heart
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h7jfUUSj3M
Ethereal nature of jasmine combined with the cold and rainy front approaching quickly this morning. I better mow the lawn right now.

- – - – - -

I can’t recall what I was drinking or eating. I remember the intoxication, though.

She sat at the table next to me, both of us seeking respite, tucked away in the rear section of the tea house away from the ant-like movement of the tourists throughout the ferry building. I commented on the aroma escaping in wispy fingers from her gaiwan. We made eye contact and I was floored by the beauty that radiated from within her. She wore jasmine in her hair, plucked from somewhere in the city on her way to this quiet moment. In a style of interaction that I realize now will never happen in a post-pandemic timeline, she offered her next pour to me. I put a stranger’s cup to my lips and drank her perfume, supposedly the finest jasmine tea in the world.

Foolish decisions leave lasting impressions.

- – - – - -

I found in the kitchen a large tin of this tea of unknown age; old, that’s for sure (the address on the bag in the tin is for the original Imperial Tea Court location on Powell Street in San Francisco), but it’s still very good. Best western. Very strong jasmine can get chemical tasting if brewed grandpa style.

Flavors: Fruity, Grass, Hay, Jasmine, Nectar, Perfume, Sweet, Thick

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 1 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML
6 comments
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Martin Bednář
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I did not noticed any chemical tasting while drinking grandpa! I have to prepare it in gaiwan too. Hopefully soon!

derk
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I think maybe I just used too much leaf the last time I prepared it grandpa style. For a dozen or so mornings I was giving a teaspoon of pearls the thermos treatment (20 oz, lower temp water, stewing for several hours) and it ended up being a really nice tea to drink throughout the work day with no chemical taste. I dunno.

Martin Bednář
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I still have alf you sent me. Keeping it for some nice afternoon.

derk
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I’m so glad you enjoy this one! I have only 1 tsp left, else I’d send you more.

Martin Bednář
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Don’t worry, your sample was very generous to try it!

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Comments

Martin Bednář
Delete

I did not noticed any chemical tasting while drinking grandpa! I have to prepare it in gaiwan too. Hopefully soon!

derk
Delete

I think maybe I just used too much leaf the last time I prepared it grandpa style. For a dozen or so mornings I was giving a teaspoon of pearls the thermos treatment (20 oz, lower temp water, stewing for several hours) and it ended up being a really nice tea to drink throughout the work day with no chemical taste. I dunno.

Martin Bednář
Delete

I still have alf you sent me. Keeping it for some nice afternoon.

derk
Delete

I’m so glad you enjoy this one! I have only 1 tsp left, else I’d send you more.

Martin Bednář
Delete

Don’t worry, your sample was very generous to try it!

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

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Bio

This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. Yet I persist.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, and Nepal. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possesses off flavor/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s puerh, I likely think it needs more age.

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Sonoma County, California, USA

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