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Very fine tea that will make it through just about any mesh strainer. Not a whole leaf to be found.

Not terribly subtle in flavor, but then again, when I drink this, I’m looking for the strength.

Delicious Taiwanese oolong with a very full mouthfeel. Similar to another “milk oolong” I had a while back.

Interestingly, my 2 1/2-year-old daughter absolutely loved this tea.

I have no business continuing to drink this tea. I’ve had it for 8+ years. Seriously. I’m not kidding about that.

But the tin it’s in is sealed really tightly and believe it or not, the flavor and scent are still in tact. Not bad for a cheap-o black tea I bought a pound of for a mere $5.

I have fond memories of this tea, originally drinking it in college, when I was just starting my tea exploration. Sometimes it just does the trick.

(Here’s a pointer to my story of rediscovering this tea on my shelf: http://www.laze.net/fait/archive/2006/02/16/lichee_tea.php )

New style white tea with bergamot and basil — and it works!

Only the second yellow tea I’ve tried (hey, Steepster, where’s the option for yellow teas?).

Teas like this are the type that make me wish I had a better tea vocabulary. After all, how many times can you describe a green or white (or, indeed, yellow) as “subdued” or “mellow.” Jun Shan Yin Zhen is fuller than a classic style white tea like a Bao Hao Yin Zhen (interestingly, this tea is also referred to as “Silver Needle”) and there’s an ever-so-slight smokiness that really adds some amazing depth.

I should also note that the uniformity in the size of the leaves is fascinating. It’s clear that there’s a lot of work that goes into the production of this rare tea.

I believe this was mislabeled on my bag as “Golden Mountain Needle,” which is a green tea. I think it was actually the King of Golden Needles that Porto Rico sells.

A very nice, light liquor not at all a far cry from a good Silver Needle.

As I venture into more and more Japanese greens, I’m really starting to enjoy the vegetal taste of senchas like this one. I bought this at the Ito En store in New York (aka Tea Nerd Heaven) because it was a relatively low-cost sencha at $3/oz. It’s light and very refreshing and brews to a gorgeous green color.

I honestly didn’t like this one when I first tried it. It is indeed bold and, as a result, I find where it really shines is during its second infusion. Tastes even better when it’s cooled down a bit.