Daylon R Thomas Send Message

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drank Orchid Phoenix Oolong by Totem Tea
1729 tasting notes

Some semblance of stability on here it seems. A part of wishes I went ahead and wrote the notes to let them cascade and save myself some time.

Anyway, thanks to Whiteantlers, I got a massive unexpected surprise on my door step a few days ago.

I saw her name, smiled, and then when I opened the package, I went “Damn….”

“You know me so well.”

I smiled in glee at the treasures, and immediately went to a particular tea that I’ve been coveting for a while from Lupicia-the fan favorite, but misunderstood grape bomb Muscat Oolong. Of course, more on that one later.

For now, this backlog of the many other backlogs I want to do, comes first. I was surprised Orchid Phoenix was not already added, and I was happy to try it. I love Milans, and Totem usually has teas with more refined notes and flavors, and a pretense more than quality that demands high price.

So does it have the usual roasted heather honey woodsiness you can expect from any Milan, with some more Lychee in steep one, but it does not expand beyond “Notes of honey, black pepper flowers, and sandalwood.” Accurate, yes, and I only got 4 rebrews out of it and the sandlewood “burned” into the last sessions. I liked it in steeps one and two, but it got muddled by the sandlewood notes later on being too woodsy.

I’m glad this was a sample, because $14 for this particular tea is way to high for only giving you 4 sessions after a minute for the first steep. I feel that this one is oversold, but I also feel that way about Totem Tea’s hiked up prices period. I still enjoyed being able to try it, though.

Flavors: Burnt, Honey, Pepper, Wood

Preparation
190 °F / 87 °C 1 min, 0 sec
5 comments
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White Antlers
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I agree with you about Totem’s prices. : ( Consider your box a way of me wishing you a few happy belated birthdays.

derk
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Totem Tea is expensive. The incense is fabulous. My reaction to opening a box from White Antlers was disbelief. Perhaps a tear. Perhaps.

White Antlers
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derk Ah! You enjoy incense? Perhaps when the blasted heat lets up here, you might find some coming your way…

ashmanra
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Totem Tea has incense? Off to check it out! scamper

White Antlers
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ashmanra Totem’s incense is nice, but I highly recommend Mermade Magickal Arts as well as Japan Incense for wonderful, unusual selection.

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Comments

White Antlers
Delete

I agree with you about Totem’s prices. : ( Consider your box a way of me wishing you a few happy belated birthdays.

derk
Delete

Totem Tea is expensive. The incense is fabulous. My reaction to opening a box from White Antlers was disbelief. Perhaps a tear. Perhaps.

White Antlers
Delete

derk Ah! You enjoy incense? Perhaps when the blasted heat lets up here, you might find some coming your way…

ashmanra
Delete

Totem Tea has incense? Off to check it out! scamper

White Antlers
Delete

ashmanra Totem’s incense is nice, but I highly recommend Mermade Magickal Arts as well as Japan Incense for wonderful, unusual selection.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

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Bio

First Off, Current Targets:

Whispering Pines Alice
Good Luxurious Work Teas
Wang Family’s Jasmine Shanlinxi
Spring, Winter Taiwan High Mountain Oolongs

Dislikes: Heavy Tannin, Astringency, Bitterness, or Fake Flavor, Overly herby herbal or aged teas

Picky with: Higher Oxidation Oolongs, Red Oolongs (Some I love, others give me headaches or are almost too sweet), Mint Teas

Currently, my stash is overflowing. Among my favorites are What-Cha’s Lishan Black, Amber Gaba Oolong, Lishan Oolong, Qilan Oolong, White Rhino, Kenya Silver Needle, Tong Mu Lapsang Black (Unsmoked); Whispering Pines Alice, Taiwanese Assam, Wang’s Shanlinxi, Cuifeng, Dayuling, Jasmine Shan Lin Xi; Beautiful Taiwan Tea Co.“Old Style” Dong Ding, Mandala Milk Oolong; Paru’s Milk Oolong

Me:

I am an MSU graduate, and current alternative ed. high school social studies and history teacher. I formerly minored in anthropology, and I love Egyptian and classical history. I love to read, write, draw, paint, sculpt, fence(with a sword), practice calisthenics on rings, lift weights, workout, relax, and drink a cuppa tea…or twenty.

I’ve been drinking green and black teas ever since I was little living in Hawaii. Eastern Asian influence was prominent with my friends and where I grew up, so I’ve been exposed to some tea culture at a young age. I’ve come a long way since I began on steepster and now drink most teas gong fu, especially oolong. Any tea that is naturally creamy, fruity, or sweet without a lot of added flavoring ranks as a must have for me. I also love black teas and dark oolongs with the elusive “cocoa” note. My favorites are lighter Earl Greys, some white teas like What-Cha’s Kenyan offerings, most Hong-Cha’s, darker Darjeelings, almost anything from Nepal, Green Shan Lin Xi’s, and Greener Dong Dings. I’m in the process of trying Alishan’s. I also tend to really enjoy Yunnan Black or Red teas and white teas. I’m pickier with other teas like chamomile, green teas, and Masalas among several.

I used to give ratings, but now I only rate teas that have a strong impression on me. If I really like it, I’ll write it down.

I’ll enjoy a tea almost no matter what, even if the purpose is more medicinal, for it is my truest vice and addiction.

Location

Michigan, USA

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