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A sweet, hardy herb that makes a bold, brothy brew. The traditional way to make rooibos is to infuse on the stovetop in a pot (or coffeepot), for a long period. You can steep it all day and it only gets sweeter.

I only let it simmer for an hour or two, after bringing to a boil, because I don’t want to wait for that wonderful taste. If you haven’t heated rooibos for at least an hour, you’re missing the flavor of rooibos.

Extra can be left steeping, and reheated in the pot later—just as delicious! Only make sure not to overboil it, because I notice it becomes a little astringent that way.

This brew is a melancholy visit to the marsh. The musty scent of wet, even boggy soil accentuates the essential woody flavor. Shorter steeps present the mellowly sweet, twiggy flavor, with a damp earthiness and smokey finish. The gentle smokiness smooths the liquor, while the rich, earthy taste is softened by malty flavor… Some floral notes are at play, but these are subtle, mostly dominated by the marshy dankness.

The tea is pleasant, but somewhat reserved with revealing flavor. After an entire bag, I don’t feel as acquainted as I should. Using less leaf, about 1/4 the volume of the gaiwan, reduces the intensity of the malty flavor, and lingering fishiness. So, if you don’t like fishiness, I would rinse for five seconds, or slightly more, and avoid using too much leaf!
Quite tasty, if you like the smell of woody marshes. I enjoyed it after meat.

A good casual tea, not very remarkable. It’s also strongly stimulating, good for getting level-headed, and super-boosting your digestion.

This is a fine, fine tea. It requires a load of leaf, and very, carefully cool water. Water that is too hot will scare off the flavor. Light, crisp, sweet, the flavor really grows on you after the first steep (or should). I enjoy the creamy honey sweetness. I think it plays on the grassy taste of the white tea.

A fresh, sweet and tangy pearl. This tea is very sensational, yet it is soft and temperamental. The jasmine scent is wonderful and satisfying! The taste is somewhat creamy and lemony.
Use very little leaf, a small amount of water, very low temperature, and shorter steep times (after pearls have began to unfurl and release their flavor).
Beware of bitterness. Don’t use too many pearls, or steep for very long. Also, it is important not to burn or overcook these sensitive leaves.

This is a comforting, albeit precocious tea. It can bring you to the sensations of an old forest with one cup. When brewed with a good amount of leaf for a strong flavor, I’m utmost cautious not to oversteep to prevent the bitterness or malty taste from becoming overwhelming. Sweet, woody, and earthy, people often tell me it has a coffee taste and I agree with them completely. Sometimes it tastes obviously of milk, or takes on a hint of sugar. The variety of flavor is so delightful and changes on a whim.

These quality rolled leaves can be steeped many times. Only use a small amount, because this is serious leaf. Each roll has two or three robust green leaves, only lightly oxidized. Seriously, don’t use too many, they will expand OUT of your gaiwan or cup. This is a very sweet and tangy oolong that is very green, and benefits from short steeps. Long steeps will overcook and not taste pleasant at all. It’s as though the flavor vanishes. It tastes of fresh, crisp rain on a rocky mountain, with a drop of lime.

This was a delicious, satisfying yellow tea for all its affordability. Crisp, sweet, mellow but pungent! A fine yellow tea. I would insist on a temperature no higher than 170. 160 is probably safer for the first steep. This delicate yellow tea requires very low temperature and a short 5-10 second initial steep, using a generous portion of leaf (filling half of cup or gaiwan). Too hot water, or not enough leaf, and the infusion will lack the sweet, pungent flavor and take on more vegetal and astringent tastes.