Tazo

Still trying to get to the bottom of the Bi Luo Chun mystery. This one, from Tazo, is closer to the light and airy versions, such as the Tealux which I imbibed earlier today. I really cannot figure this out. The tightly sculptured little snail shells from Yunnan Sourcing bear virtually no resemblance to these other versions! No mention is made of the island cited in The Harney & Sons Guide on either the Tazo or the Tealux packaging, so perhaps only the snail shell sculptures are produced there?

The liquor of this Pi Lo Chun was pale golden green but by the second glass had turned peachy colored. The liquid was fairly cloudy, with lots of tiny filaments floating about. Usually I enjoy the second glass more than the first, but in this batch I preferred the first, as the second started to seem a bit bitter. Perhaps because of all the particles in the glass?

I must have got the last bag of Tazo Pi Lo Chun, as it is no longer even listed at the Starbucks website! The demise of Tazo is imminent…

This is my third experience with Bi Luo Chun, the first and second having been from Teavivre and Tealux. These Tazo leaves are not as airy and voluminous as the others, and they are darker in color and more robust in scent. Today’s batch I drank right after a big bowl of oatmeal, which I prepared to celebrate the unseasonably cool and rainy weather we’re having.

The liquor is peach veering gray more than green, and now that I’ve read the story of this tea, it makes sense, given that the leaves are charcoal fired. I like this pleasant, slightly sweet and not very vegetal green tea, and will surely finish this bag!

(Blazing New Rating #62)

A staple I always brew in combination with a black tea and drink over ice. One of my favorites I really love. Have not had it hot.

A good black tea staple that I keep on hand. It is great brewed in combination with a fruity tisane and served over ice in the summer.

My second yellow tea, Tazo Jun Shan Yin Zhen has a much more uniform leaf form—very similar to silver tips, except more yellow—than the Teavana Yellow Tea I tried yesterday. The shimmering leaves are covered with tiny hairs.

The flavor of the similarly pale peach-colored liquor is very similar. The aroma, too, reminds me of the Coors Beer Company boiling barley emanations. Maybe I don’t understand what tea masters mean by “floral”, but to me this tea does not really offer any identifiably “floral” notes. I find it closer to cooked vegetables, but with a smooth finish.

Anyway, I like it, and am happy to have tried Chairman Mao’s favorite tea!

(Blazing New Rating #54)

Tea of the morning here. Thanks to Carol Who for this sample that I’ve been meaning to try.

I steeped this entire sample for 3 minutes in a 20 oz. teapot. What I had was around the equivalent of 6 or 7 pearls. Eh, this stuff is okay. It certainly got some dismal reviews from others but I don’t mind it that much. It seems to be a bit on the side of brisk and winey for me, which is strange for a tea you’d think is Chinese. To me this tastes a bit more like an Indian tea. I thought it was better with some soymilk added. Now I feel like I’m getting a bit of chocolate notes. I’ve definitely has better dragon pearls but this wasn’t terrible in my opinion.

I’m NOT looking forward to my morning. I have to visit the dentist and I’m getting 4 fillings worked on. They told me to eat a good breakfast because my entire mouth will be numb for hours afterwards. I guess I will be having a smoothie for lunch… lol

I bid this tea a fond farewell today.

May the Tazo Collection of loose teas rest in peace!