Jim @ Shui Tea Send Message

I really like this tea. Really, really liked it. It was great steaming hot, it was great when it cooled off, and it’s delicious over ice. I added a little sugar once, just in case, but the extra sweetness didn’t help. It’s perfect on its own.

I liked it! It’s citrusy in all kinds of good ways, but if I didn’t see the package, I don’t know if I would have gotten to grapefruit. But, that’s not a bad thing. It was really nice plain, without sugar. Sugar, ice… both… I could see that working well with this.

I didn’t think it was remotely like freshly picked grapefruit. But it’s citrus in a way that’s unexpected and different. For that, it deserves a try.

I just ordered this to go from a small cafe. It ended up being perfectly fine. I liked that it had a light, not overwhelming, bergamot flavor. I didn’t use milk or sugar. The base tea, however, was weak. It lacked oomph.

They have a few loose Tie Kuan Yins at their store in Chicago. I have two of them — one that’s a more roasted and one that’s a little greener. The greener one was about 30% more expensive.

The more heavily roasted tea was, I thought, perfectly characteristic tie kuan yin. It hit all the high notes, and was a solid tea. I’d put it at about 75 and would highly recommend it if you’re around a Ten Ren store and want to try out an authentic Tie Kuan Yin.

But, the one you should look out for the one that’s greener and more expensive. It had all the characteristic tie kuan yin taste, but also had a fantastic mouth, no bitterness, and an almost creamy aftertaste. Really excellent.

Both teas held up to 4 infusions. I’m pretty sure they’d hold up to 5 or 6, but I haven’t had the time to sit around and do more than 4. The more roasted tea held it’s flavor stronger.

I’ve been drinking more and more Japanese teas recently. This is one that I keep coming back to. Good job, Rishi!

I won’t comment on the taste because it’s one of my teas, but Lainie wrote a pretty spot on review here: http://www.lainiesips.com/2010/08/butter-baroness-by-shui-tea-review/

I really enjoyed it. I got the buttery green taste that the description hints at. I thought it had a unique flavor that is a little different from other Bai Mu Tan’s, so keep that in mind for what you’re looking to drink.

It struck me as very high quality, with a few of the complex flavors I’d expect from Silver Needles, but yet richer and deeper. It’s not as fruity as other white teas I’ve had — and that can be a good or bad thing, depending on your taste.

Also came with a bit of a punch of caffeine.

It was a pretty good representation of 1st Flush Darjeeling, hitting all the right notes. Rather astringent, but that’s exactly what comes with the territory.

Although it’s a “black tea”, there are some good hints that this is “oolong-ish” — which I think is nice trait in this first flush darjeeling. It has a bright color, light flavor, but a little bit drying aftertaste.