10 Tasting Notes
Today I had one of the most delicious cups I’ve ever had to date, and this tea is why. I felt like I was drinking part of the earth. It was creamy, fresh and slightly vegetal with no bitterness. Brew this correctly and it cannot disappoint. I’d rather drink this than a cup of wine.
Preparation
What a solid brew. The predominant flavors I am getting from this one is fresh baked pound cake and some hint of raisins here and there. The finish is very malty. The dry leaves smell like malt as well. I am also surprised at to its body. It is a little lighter than I was expecting, but to me I think this makes it a little more refreshing. This tea presents a lot but I have also seen others from Harney & Sons that have presented a little more complexity. Overall this tea will not disappoint, especially at this price. Also, I must note that it has a good kick of caffeine, I am feeling it right now and it is not bad.
Preparation
Oh my. What a fantastic green! The fresh leaves smell of freshly picked strawberries. The brew also has smalls hints of this at times, but for the most part tastes of bockchoy and has a medium light body. It is full of freshness in the cup that captures that apparent great 2010 season that Hunan had. This is one of those small things in life that just puts a smile on your face. Just delicious.
Preparation
This may be my favorite tea, behind some rich select Keemun Mao Fengs. It is light and floral with that signature bite, slight pucker and vibrant nose that is a classic Darjeeling. Slight hints of pineapple and a little bit of muscatel blend together for a special sensory experience. Call me crazy but also I sometimes get a hint of lavender or gardenia. It finishes off smooth and has a nice amount amount of caffeine to get you moving. Unfortunately I am running low on this one and it was last year’s crop. Hopefully more like this will come around.
Preparation
Mmmm I love this tea. It always reminds me of being on the beach with a sandy beach towel. The smell is luscious and captivating. The body is smooth and packed with flavors of, you guessed it, lemongrass and also coconut predominating. This is always a great pick me up and puts me into a summery state of mind. Great for the spring and summer months in my opinion. Also good iced. Harney and Sons does sell an iced version.
Preparation
This tea, in my opinion, is one of the little treasures in life. There’s something about it. It both tastes and smells great and also makes me feel great as well. As for the taste, it has sort of a full body which I think is contributed by the down that covers the tea. It coats the back of your throat as it goes down and leaves a nice and light aftertaste. This tea is fresh and I can smell notes of oranges. It is slight, but is definitely there. Perhaps those who say they can’t notice this are those who have an older crop or one that is not as fresh or maybe even aren’t using the right water. Also this tea puts me into a state of general well being. I feel like there are no worries in the world and feel well nourished and satisfied after I finish a cup of this. It also lifts my mood. It’s the small things in life, like this tea, that mean so much to me. Also, I can always count on Harney and Sons to bring tea of top shelf quality. Some other vendors may have counterfeit Bi Lo Chun or even one of a lower grade. Thanks for taking the time to read my review.
Preparation
What a lovely tea that is quite complex. The nose has nice malty and earthy tones and the finish is smooth and bold. The taste is slightly malty with a little bit of pucker to it. It also has a nice kick to it, I made it fairly strong. Definitely another one from Harney & Sons that is sure to please.
Preparation
OK so to add a few more tasting notes, this tea is very well rounded and sweet with very little astringency. It is also quite light, but also has complex flavors. I like how this is a full leaf tea (the two leaves are attached after being brewed). Very high quality. If you are looking for something assertive, this may not be your cup of tea. : )
Delicious
OK so to add a few more tasting notes, this tea is very well rounded and sweet with very little astringency. It is also quite light, but also has complex flavors. I like how this is a full leaf tea (the two leaves are attached after being brewed). Very high quality. If you are looking for something assertive, this may not be your cup of tea. : )
I just made my first cup out of the 2nd 4 oz. tin that I had ordered from Harney & Sons. The last time I had a cup of this was months ago and this cup reminds me of how much I missed this tea. It is absolutely delicious. The nose smells extremely fresh, as if it had just come off the boat from Japan, and it probably just has! I can’t even describe the taste it’s so smooth and packed with flavor.. there’s slight whiffs of lemons and possibly hints of walnuts on the finish. I wish this cup of sencha could last forever. I used 170 degree water, 1 level tsp of tea, 8-10 oz of water and steeped for 1 minute. Absolute perfection.
