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Best bergamot scented tea I’ve ever tried! It’s been about 20 years since I’ve bought a flavored tea, and this one is quite good. Although I still prefer my tea straight up (like a fine aged single malt scotch), this will surely be a crowd pleaser this Thanksgiving. I found myself preferring this tea midday with 3 or 4 drops of Agave. Odd, since I rarely sweeten my tea. EG is well balanced, and the cocoa notes in the base are a perfect complement to the citrus. Think citrus flavored dark malt chocolate dusted in cocoa. I won’t rate this one due to my strong preference for pure tea.

Well, I struck out on this one. Surprising, since I’ve been very pleased with all the other Verdant teas I’ve tried. This was a 5 for 5 sample and it was burdened with a huge proportion of fannings. I suspect this was the problem, as no matter how I steeped it (in my gaiwan), it was just bitter, bitter and more bitter. I will not rate this one, since I think all those fannings were a fluke.

Recieved this 5g sample in my 5 for 5 from Verdant. Although I’ve been enjoying sheng for some now , I have just recently, after reading so many positive Steepster shou reviews, summoned up the nerve to try another “ripe” pu. (Around 15 years ago, I recieved a sample of ripe pu, and I mean RIPE! I thought for a second upon smelling the wet leaves, that I was down wind of a Billy goat. RIPE!) If this is an acquired taste, I don’t think I’ll get there.

This shou, however, is gentle, smooth, earthy and interesting. I brewed gong fu style and rinsed the leaves well (actually I soaked them in tepid water for a minute to loosen the chunk a bit, then rinsed as directed). Earthy and complex, I found notes of moss, peat, wet wood, damp earth, and a savory note (perhaps the olive oil referred to?) I lost count of my steepings, but I really appreciate the complexity of this shou through many steepings. The earthier notes gave way to chocolate, raisin, herb and spice, proceeding through a cooling mouth feel in the later steepings.

If this tea becomes available again, I would purchase it. I won’t rate shou until I gain more experience, but thank you Master Han for this gentle shou.

I bought this tea in late ’14 or early ’15 and can confirm that it is not a flavored milk oolong as it may have been previously. Pure unadulterated leaves, quite large when unfurled with a pleasant milky, floral aroma. Flavor is creamy, smooth, floral with a light spicy minerality. Not complex, pleasant. Brewed gongfu style, the middle & later steepings were my favorites.

EDIT: I just opened my second order of this tea from late 2015. It was not nearly as good as the previous order. Almost no flavor unless you over leaf or over brew. At that point, it’s bitter. Flavored? I’m trying sure, but I won’t order from this company again. Shockingly inconsistent!

Fluent in gibberish from quite a young age (my mother read Lewis Carroll, among many other great authors and poets, to us as children), I was greatly anticipating sipping this tea. The charming poem for which this tea is named is delightful, whimsical gibberish. This tea however, is no nonsense! I’m convinced this concoction could soothe even the snarliest of beasts. The aroma comforts with the scent fresh baked Tuscan bread drizzled in raw wildflower honey and melted, malty chocolate (or perhaps Prince William’s groom’s cake, made with McVities Rich tea biscuits and chocolate ). The flavor further subdues with plums, toffee and a rich warm mouth feel. The cooling, lingering aftertaste of eucalyptus may just lull one into a trance . . . . .

Not a morning person? Try this tea! It will certainly assuage the morning beast in you.

Oh you silky smooth shou, you. New to shou? This shou is for you! Shou newbie like me? Fear not, this pu-erh is gentle and as smooth as silk. I will not rate this gentleman, but I love this warming, subtle, silky tea.

“Less is more” In architecture school, this was often heard. A fine example of this principle, this Everlasting Teas offering is smooth, straightforward and elegant. I experienced the "morning mist " as a light minerality with yellow cake and sweet ripe peaches. This tea is a crowd pleaser for holiday gatherings & is lovely both hot and iced.

My Cherie Amour! Chocolate covered cherries. Yes please, I’ll have some more! No wait! The caramel apple calls to me more.

From what I remember from visiting Mackinac as a child (I think this is the same island Brenden is referring to), this delightful tea does indeed recall that experience. The island is cozy, quaint and saturated with opportunities to sample caramel apples, fudge and many other dazzling treats. Our grandparents were with us, so our sweet tooths (teeth?) were indulged to the fullest.

Could this be the Golden Fleece of Greek mythology? It is certainly worthy of a quest! Perhaps Pelias sent Jason out, knowing that if he succeeded in bringing home the fleece, athough forced to surrender his throne, he could console himself with this tea.

I brewed this both western and gongfu style and enjoyed it both ways. For a more intense flavor experience, I recommend western. But for an aroma voyage that will rock your world, prepare your favorite gaiwan & tasting cups and spend some time with this one. The bouquet made me weak in the knees! I would wear it as a fragrance. If my husband were wearing it right now, I doubt I would be posting on Steepster . . .

Oh yes, it’s that good . . .

Although not complex, I like this tea. It’s very straightforward and tastes as advertised – honey, malt, cocoa. My primary reason for posting is the recommended brew temperature. When I brewed at the recommended 205°, I found it to be bitter. However 195° brewed a fragrant flavorful liquor with very slight bitterness, which I don’t mind. I will brew again with less leaf, and if less bitter, I’ll edit this post.

EDIT: I have brewed this again with slightly less leaf & found no bitterness. I also was able to experience a faint flavor and aroma of fine tobacco & Italian leather. I really enjoyed this added complexity.