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“TeaTiff TTB. One can tell from reading the reviews below that the tea has been around the block a few times. Though TTBs are a great way to discover a bunch of tea cheaply they also don’t truly...” Read full tasting note
“TeaTiff TTB #13 I was intrigued by this one because it was labeled as a black tea (and looked like one) but had honeybush in the title. Still not exactly sure what this is, but it’s yummy! It...” Read full tasting note
“TTB I am traveling this week and I did bring some tea with grand hopes of drinking and logging tea notes. I did get caught up in the wave of canceled flights and had a hell of a time getting to FL....” Read full tasting note
“TeaTiff Traveling Tea Box | No. 29 I wasn’t sure starting out if this was a black tea or a honeybush tea processed as a black tea. Is that a thing? Anyway, it definitely tastes like a black tea....” Read full tasting note
Harvest
April 2018
Origin
Zhenghe, Fujian
This Wild Honeybush comes to us from one of our well-respected tea foragers, Mr. Fan, also aptly known as “Hunter.”
Many years ago Mr. Fan had taken a position in the forestry department of his local government, in his hometown Zhenge, and was tasked with managing a population of wild boars that were wreaking havoc for local farmers. In 2009, while he was tracking boars in the mountains, he stumbled into an area dense with wild, abandoned tea trees. He was taken aback by the beauty of this discovery: to see so many tea trees, thriving on their own, at home in the ancient forest. And so began his path as a tea forager and producer.
For many reasons, Mr. Fan is a unique tea artisan. Firstly, he does not own any land himself, and he does not have a tea farm. He focuses on crafting tea from wild and semi-wild abandoned tea trees in the mountains, and his wealth is only his understanding of their location and their rhythms.
Wild Honeybush is made from tea trees that are over 100 years old. They grow wild, at an elevation of 4000 ft, around the village of Zhenghe. The trees are a small-leaf varietal, native to the alpine forests of Zhenghe. In these vast, old growth forests, the wild tea trees compete with a variety of other types of trees, all seeking precious, diffused sunlight. At such high altitudes they are challenged by the wind and the quickly changing conditions. Thus, the roots of the tea trees extend deep into the earth to anchor themselves and draw nutrients; they grow slowly, accumulating these rich nutrients and compounds in their leaves. We feel this richness and fortitude in the tea they yield.
The craftsmanship of Wild Honeybush is somewhat experimental. It integrates aspects of the traditional craftsmanship of Fujian Oolong into the process of making Fujian Black tea. This means that the tea is charcoal roasted in two rounds, further accentuating the complexity and minerality of the leaves. The result is a particularly perfumed and robust black tea with mineral qualities that remind us of an oolong. Its scent is particularly intriguing: like ashes, cinnamon, and dried flowers.
Company description not available.
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Granville Island Tea CoTeaTiff TTB. One can tell from reading the reviews below that the tea has been around the block a few times. Though TTBs are a great way to discover a bunch of tea cheaply they also don’t truly supply you with each tea’s full-on flavor as each tea will diminish in aroma and flavor with each time the package is opened. Generally, I would not rinse a black tea, however, I feel doing so may help release some of the build-up on it. Or so I hope. crosses fingers The dry aroma is not pleasant. Not terrible but does not smell like one would expect. Hmm. The wet leaf is kind of musty like stale wheat bread. Also just slightly problematic is the fact that because this is the bottom of the package there is a mix of small and big leaf. Meaning each will steep differently and affect the overall flavor. The first infusion at about 20 seconds is seemingly weak. A bit of barley and damp wood tones. Second infusion at about one minute is ashy with burnt bread. This is a unique tea but I can’t say I’m really enjoying this… Bit of lacquer now with a touch of allspice. This is like reading a book that I’m not really into but I am just curious to find out if the 10th infusion holds out or if the story falls off halfway. I don’t think I’ll make it there… this is not enjoyable. I mean I’d rather drink this then Lipton (no offense Lipton drinkers)
TeaTiff TTB #13
I was intrigued by this one because it was labeled as a black tea (and looked like one) but had honeybush in the title. Still not exactly sure what this is, but it’s yummy! It actually tasted almost like an oolong…very smooth and buttery with a honey-sweet, fruity flavor.
Flavors: Fruity, Honey, Smooth, Sweet
So, disclaimer… when I got the very large box from Martin, a bunch of the clear bags with tea types were open (or were opened by me to of course see what was inside) and I was grabbing them all to put in a tote bag to take everything home. Of course some spilled onto my office floor and therefore there are probably teas in the wrong clear bags.
Should have put a note in the box when I sent it. My bad!
TTB
I am traveling this week and I did bring some tea with grand hopes of drinking and logging tea notes. I did get caught up in the wave of canceled flights and had a hell of a time getting to FL. Let’s just hope my return flight is uneventful, is there some way to increase my travel karma at this late date? I’m sure the middle finger I’ve been giving United in my head won’t help.
This tea was mildly chocolate, certainly smooth, if a bit weak. Maybe a gong fu session is the way to go here.
Thanks for adding it to the box, glad I got to try.
TeaTiff Traveling Tea Box | No. 29
I wasn’t sure starting out if this was a black tea or a honeybush tea processed as a black tea. Is that a thing? Anyway, it definitely tastes like a black tea. Maybe a little lighter in flavor. I’m enjoying it very much as it cools. A slight chocolate flavor is coming through now.
Flavors: Dark Chocolate
Gongfu!
This is another tea that my lovely coworker brought back with her during her recent Vancouver trip – it was the first from Cultivate that I tried, and I actually brewed it up Gongfu for three of us to share. We got a good twelve or so steeps – but I did stack them two at a time so that I had enough steeped tea in the cha hai to fill all of our cups at once…
Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/B5SqGgUAi70/
Not only is the loose leaf appearance absolutely breathtaking, but the tea was rich and nuanced as well!! Quite sweet with a viscous and coating mouthfeel, we all felt like this tea had distinct dense, sticky maple notes and a strong woody character. I experienced notes of overripe black cherry juices, and buckwheat honey as well. It was a remarkable tea session to end the day on, though I wish the leaf would have had just a smidge more longevity.
Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2oDxnNtllM
