Free sample provided by Teavivre for review
Among the boxes of tea that rained on my house yesterday was my free sample box generously provided by TeaVivre Such a nice surprise.
I placed my first order with Teavivre in such haste that I missed out on a lot of teas that I wanted to try, so I am grateful for the free samples. As has been mentioned, each sample is in a small mylar foil type pack and all 5 fit back into one resealable foil/mylar pouch. Very nice. Teavivre has great customer service and follows up with an email to make sure that everything was okay with the package.
First up is their Lapsang. One of the misconceptions I think people have about Lapsang is that it is a strong, slap you around tea like a robust Irish Breakfast or East Frisian blend. Or maybe they think it will be spicy hot like chili peppers.
However, Lapsangs are neither of those. Good Lapsang, like this one from Teavivre, are actually rather gentle and smooth, often with some sweetness.
The dry leaves on this tea are beautiful tightly rolled strips of chocolate brown with some golden brown tips mixed in. As you would expect, their aroma is smoky and piney. Not overwhelming, but a little more subtle. Very pleasant. The brewed leaf develops a bit of a peat moss aroma-milder than some other Lapsangs. The liquor looked to be a deep amber color.
The taste is as advertised-smoky and pleasant and slightly sweet in the finish. Very tasty. If you like Lapsang, you should enjoy this tea. If you are curious about Lapsang, it’s a good tea to start with.
I’ve managed two steeps so far, and will be going for a third shortly.
Preparation
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How much tea did you use?
I used 2 teaspoons on the first steep and I added a third teaspoon for the second steep. I might just start out with 3 teaspoons next time.
Oh, I usually put 8-10 ounces of water in my cup.
ooh, you’re braver than me. I will have to increase my leaf slightly next time!
SO , Scott-if you use 3 tsp do you do 2 or 3 shorter steeps? Bonnie is (I think ) sending me samples of a couple LS. I may try -well maybe the whole sample, & short steeps of 1.5, 2 & 3 minutes.
Amy-You actually had a hotter temp and longer steep time on your first brew, so I am not sure how all that works out compared to the more leaf I used. However, Lapsangs don’t scare me-Pu’erhs do.
Scott-I did 2 minutes for the first steep and 2:30 for the second. Teavivre recommends 1-2 mins for 1st steep and +15-30 seconds each additional steep. I’ve just been following their recommendations for now.
It seems like Tevivre is using gongfu style steeps.
There may be a bit of a translation issue, but I interpreted the instructions as for Western-style brewing: “2-3 teaspoons for 8oz of water. Brew at 194ºF (90 ºC) for 1 to 2 minutes
Infusion times: 4 – 5 times. Brewing times prolongs from 15 seconds to 30 seconds with the increasing of infusion times”
How much tea did you use?
I used 2 teaspoons on the first steep and I added a third teaspoon for the second steep. I might just start out with 3 teaspoons next time.
Oh, I usually put 8-10 ounces of water in my cup.
ooh, you’re braver than me. I will have to increase my leaf slightly next time!
SO , Scott-if you use 3 tsp do you do 2 or 3 shorter steeps? Bonnie is (I think ) sending me samples of a couple LS. I may try -well maybe the whole sample, & short steeps of 1.5, 2 & 3 minutes.
Amy-You actually had a hotter temp and longer steep time on your first brew, so I am not sure how all that works out compared to the more leaf I used. However, Lapsangs don’t scare me-Pu’erhs do.
Scott-I did 2 minutes for the first steep and 2:30 for the second. Teavivre recommends 1-2 mins for 1st steep and +15-30 seconds each additional steep. I’ve just been following their recommendations for now.
It seems like Tevivre is using gongfu style steeps.
There may be a bit of a translation issue, but I interpreted the instructions as for Western-style brewing: “2-3 teaspoons for 8oz of water. Brew at 194ºF (90 ºC) for 1 to 2 minutes
Infusion times: 4 – 5 times. Brewing times prolongs from 15 seconds to 30 seconds with the increasing of infusion times”