Top Ti Quan Yin

Tea #3 from Another Traveling Tea Box

What was left here was enough for about a 6 ounce cup and not enough for a gaiwan, but I love Ti Guan Yin, so I pretty much had to try it.

1st Steep (90 seconds)

This is one of those where the taste builds on your tongue as you work through the cup. It started out very light, delicately green tasting and by the bottom of the cup, I had something lightly roasty, with a lovely buttered asparagus flavor.

2nd Steep (2 min)

The second steep is less roasty and more green, with a lingering aftertaste. Definitely has a smoother, butterier feel and finish than the first.

I expected more from the 3rd and 4th steeps, and it was pretty much exhausted at 5.

I’m glad I got a chance to taste this, and it was a lovely ti quan yin, but I’m not sure if it’s worth the asking price point.

7th tea from Another travelling tea box.

This is the experience I’ve been hoping the travelling tea box would provide. A chance to discover a really wonderful tea. I’d grab it all except it was a small sample; only enough left for one more pot, so I’ll probably pass it on.

This is my favorite style of oolong: medium roast, slightly on the green side. 1st steep (60 sec): Lovely spicy green nose. Taste is initially light, but grew as I sipped. The classic oolong flavors are very interesting: Spicy with hints of grass. The excellent finish reiterates and expands upon the wonderful taste. 2nd steep(60 sec): I’m hit with a magnificent aroma while just pouring!. Rich and spicy. Initially the taste was closed in but the spicy flavor bursts open in the finish. As the tea cooled, the flavors moved up onto the taste. More spice then fruit at this point. Very good. 3rd (60 sec): Still excellent. 4th (1 min): Weaker but still special. Still good in the 5th steep (2 min) but much less interesting.

“Another Traveling Tea Box?!?!”

A light, vegetal oolong with gentle and cooling floral notes. Lightly creamy mouthfeel.

I am a fan of Oolongs, especially Ti Kuan Yin, and I’m currently in a personal quest trying to taste all Tikuanyins possible to see which one will earn a permanent spot in my cupboard. I came across this particular one after ordering some tea from H&S’s website. The description intrigued me but the steep price ($54 for 2oz) put me off. Luckily, my girlfriend gave me this tea as a gift for Christmas and I was very excited to try it. My first brew was a disappointment. The tea was flavorless and tasted nothing like any other Tikuanyin I’ve had before, but I acknowledge that I brewed it with the incorrect leaf-to-water ratio and in a regular mug. The second brew, this time done correctly in a Gaiwan and correct leaf-to-water ratio, was very interesting.

This tea tastes very different from other Tikuanyin’s I’ve had, different but very good. The tea brewed a pale yellow-green cup. It was sweet, buttery and very floral with a delightful aroma. The taste is subtler than the other Tikuanyin’s I’ve had, but it was the sweet buttery lingering aftertaste in the back of your throat that makes this tea unique.

Overall, this is one of those teas you have to sit down and enjoy it by itself, savoring each sip, otherwise you might not pick up its subtle flavors. I was disappointed a little due to its high price and colorful description, I guess I expected a bit too much.

Harney had this as a sample for $3.75. After reading the description, I thought I’d give it a try, even though herbals and blacks are usually what I like.
I am giving this tea a high rating because, while it isn’t what I usually like, it seems to have all the attributes a tea of this kind should have (I did a little research). I can taste the grassy notes. Though there isn’t any real sweetness I can detect,it IS a flavorful and not at all bitter, blend. I wouldn’t call it robust but it certainly has body. This is by no means a weak tea. As it cools the flavors do come out more. I think this is something I would enjoy with a meal as opposed to my afternoon standard. A light touch of sweetener seems to mute the natural flavor. It is refreshing and I plan to try it iced soon. While I don’t taste the butter and coconut that could be because I have damaged those taste buds with years of flavored and very brisk black teas :) The best way I can describe the taste and smell is clean. Clean and like a bit of the outdoors.
It’s about an hour later and I just tried some still warm tea with a bit of real cream…wow! Really nice! Smooth with the flavor enhanced not muted. Also, I just figured out what I am tasting besides grass. It doesn’t make sense but I am getting artichokes!! Avery pleasant but very distinct after note that reminds me of artichokes. Maybe the addition of cream has something to do with it???

Had this in our 50ml gaiwan this afternoon. Drank through 10 rinses, but the most exquisite was the 3rd, where the notes of butter were the strongest.