Popular Tasting Notes
I got this one special for my boyfriend as a surprise. Last time he got to pick out a matcha, we ended up with Cola, so this time I thought an alcoholic drink matcha was in order. More sophisticated? Well – more adult anyways ;)
He is loving the flavoured matcha as much (if not more!) than I do! This one smelled sweet from the get go – creamy and .. tangy? Smoky? Not smoky! I’m trying to describe what irish cream smells like – it doesn’t have the smokiness of whisky – but it definitely is sweet and creamy! I knew it was going to be a real treat – just like the real thing!
Here’s where you can get it: http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/irish-cream-matcha.html
What a neat flavour experience! I prepared the matcha straight and thick for the first bowl. In this state I tasted mostly matcha with an aftertaste of sweet cream that lingered after finishing the bowl. It was very creamy and pleasant.Next I tried it over ice with 18% cream and sugar. I thought my eyes were going to roll into the back of my head and be lost forever! This was mine and Mike’s favourite way to enjoy it. It’s sweet, but because you have control over the amount of sugar, it’s not crazy sweet and cloying. You could probably enjoy cup after cup with the only buzz coming from the energy of all that matcha you’re drinking!
This one is so so good mixed with the Madagascar Vanilla matcha – it just adds a bit of something that takes the creamy flavour over the top. Come St. Patricks day, it would be an awesome drink to mix with mint matcha (Mint is on the way in the mail as we speak!) and hey – it’s already green! No need to add any food colouring for your Paddy experience ;)
Next in line is creating all sorts of bar drinks with matcha. I’m trying to think of drinks to make with Baileys and I’m having a heck of a time. I know I love to put Baileys and Peppermint shnapps in my hot chocolate so, Belgium Chocolate Matcha + Mint Matcha + Irish Cream? There’s no “Coffee” matcha that I know of yet, but I think maybe an espresso is coming soon? (EDIT: Both Coffee AND espresso are here!) That would mix wonderfully, or you could just go ahead and mix it with the Mocha Matcha! Gah I’m pretty much drooling already.
Can you think of any other drinks? I would love to do some more experimenting!
Now – if a Guinness Matcha ever comes out – I know the perfect one to mix it with ;)
Wahoo! I’m the first to review this matcha!!
And whew, what a matcha it is. When I opened the package, my head went immediately to CANDY CANES. Yup, that is exactly what it smells like. Then I whipped some up and is it ever strong! I got a small with robust flavouring and basic grade and it is perfect. I did add half a teaspoon of sugar hoping to cut down the intensity and it seems to have done the trick.
Next time, I’ll try distinctive but I suspect that this is only a hair stronger than I’d like, so the lower flavouring level may be too light for my preferences. YUP!! There WILL be a next time. Oh man, I cannot wait to try this in all sorts of ways. Peppermint and strawberry, or caramel, or cheesecake! Or in a latte. Hey maybe I can mix it with chocolate sauce and milk for a low cal minty “hot chocolate”!! better yet, with a dash of vodka on those cold winter nights. (sighs!)
I have a feeling that this will be gone long before Christmas heh :P
Rating: 90 ish
Anyhow, if you want to buy some for yourself, you can get it here: http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/peppermint-matcha.html
Oh and do yourself a favour and buy a tin. They are the perfect size!
What a perfect tea to mark my 750th review :D
You could buy a distinctive and mix it with your robust! :)
Ashmanra, that is a good idea!! thx!
Mmmmm I wanted this one. We so need to have our matcha party lol
Sounds so good.
I was going to suggest what Ashmanra did. That way, you might get the perfect amount of peppermint.
OH… and congrats on reaching 750!
Sil- YES!! are you free next weekend at all?
Azzrian- it is amazing! a little toothpaste-ish but I actually like that lol
LiberTeas- I think I’ll try that, or maybe mix it with some regular matcha.
Thanks, I can’t believe I’ve been here that long!
Congratulations on 750! That is impressive.
thanks Veronica!! I dunno why but I assumed I’d tire of it long before now. My obsession has only grown :P
Congrats on 750!!!! :)
Hehe thanks Ninavampi!!
Woot!! Congrats!!
Thanks CHAroma. I never thought I’d be around THIS long lol
I had to try this Shu first. I may be at a loss for words but I know I’m going to ramble. The dry leaf to my German Shepard nose had little or no scent. My spider sense told me to rinse it and I am glad I did. The rinse was a dark, murky brew with sediment. The first brew was rich and complex. Not too earthy. Smooth. A few sips and I feel an incredible tea high creeping up. I am tasting the ancient library. It is by far the best Pu-ehr I have had. Perhaps the best tea period. A great tea on this dreary autumn day. As I look out my window to my backyard I see statues of The Virgin Mother, Her Son Jesus, and Buddha { A gravestone for my beloved Akita }. The leaves and Long Needle Pine cover the cold ground as they do every year. This tea is for today. It make you stop and look at the chrysanthemums and truly enjoy life. I am having a heightened awareness to my surroundings. A squirrel was burying something under the Monkey Puzzle Tree with such care. I thought of where this tea came from. The Good Earth. The people who nurtured it. Where was I ? Did I mention the second steeping ? I used less water in the Yixing. It was darker. A burnt orange brown. Flavor, you can only imagine. When I was making the third pot I noticed the leaves looked like they had 30 steepings left. Although I do not drink wine, I can only guess it’s like opening a bottle of vintage Chateau Margaux. My third steeping I used more water with a longer steeping time. A wonderful infusion. Lighter. It looks like I may not leave the house for a while. As I am drinking this I’m listening to Tom Waits " Last Leaf On The Tree". This tea has provided me with a beautiful experiance. At one point I was getting chills. A energy I have never had before. At another point I felt like crying because the tea was so great. I will cry if I cannot get more….
It’s Heaven and Earth.
So you’ve found this… What great fortune for you, Charles. It is indeed the height and the depth of what tea can be. I myself do not have a single word to add, but here is a little something from Han Shan via Gary Snyder:
On top of Cold Mountain the lone round moon
Lights the whole clear cloudless sky.
Honor this priceless natural treasure
Concealed in five shadows, sunk deep in the flesh.
Geoffrey, it’s that good….
I just got that Tom Waits album yesterday and haven’t gotten to that track yet.
I’m supposed to be saving money to cover landscaping costs and holiday traveling but you guys are making me want to buy lots of tea.
Is this the oldest vintage you’ve had?
I will have to try this on my next Verdant order.
@Jim, yes this is the oldest vintage. And I too am buying a ton of tea. And loving it all. I bought the 1998 after the first steep. @Amy, I think I would recommend it….
I’ve purchased this one twice: http://camellia-sinensis.com/tea/fiche/?id=Pu+Er+1996+Chung+Cha and that’s the oldest one I’ve had at home to steep correctly, but I actually enjoyed this one quite a bit more: http://camellia-sinensis.com/tea/fiche/?id=Pu+Er+2002+Naka+%28Lahu%29 really unique and fascinating flavors.
I had a 1978 in a restaurant, but it was wasted because nothing that gave me to make it was remotely correct and it just tasted like nothing.
Thank you Jim. I bookmarked the page. Now for further adventures….
@ Jim, both teas that you suggested were sold out. I must admit they have some very interesting selections….
Sorry, those weren’t intended as recommendations, just discussion of old vintages.
Would you recommend buying from them?
The vendor is fantastic, yes.
thanks
Definitely a deep psychoactive experience with this one. Something in the vaporous quality of it. Its like a fossil fuel with deep condensed energy
I love this tea. I was lucky to purchase some while it was still available, & it is the best Shu I’ve ever had, an amazing experience, definitely reserved for days when I have nowhere to go & nothing to do but relax & enjoy being present.
Terri I bought a whole tin of it and then some….
I would have bought a tin if they’d had any left, but the tins were gone, so I bought the last of what they had :)
This is my best experience thus far also. I fear that I’m on the edge of becoming Gollum with his “Precious”. No other tea has been as curiously mystical.
Good to see you here Bonnie! :)
Funny you should mention Gollum, LOL, because I’ve been re-reading the Hobbit (again) & just read that chapter a few nights ago!
This is definitely the best Shu I’ve ever had, oops, I already said that, but it bears repeating!
Maybe the best Shu. Sheng are a whole other world….
Yes they are!
First, thank you SO MUCH to David @ Verdant for sending me this sample!!
I wasn’t on Steepster when this tea emerged, never got to try it, & have always (I say “always”, but I’ve only been on steepster for 29 days, so my “always” is relative to that) wished I could have had the honor. During this last month, I’ve ordered from Verdant ‘several’ times (obsessive compulsive & their tea is awesome), & on the most recent order David sent me this sample, with a hand-written label that said “Original Harvest Golden Fleece Sample – Just for fun!”
Today is a special day for me. I often joke around about 12 step programs & mysterious substances of my youth. Let’s just say that I was very wild & out of control, at one time, & I suppose you could say I was a connoisseur of sorts, at least in the realm of psychotropic & hallucinogenic substances. I’m not going to say it wasn’t fun, because I had a lot of awesome revelatory experiences, some amazing highs, but there were also lows, which I won’t go into here. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “The higher you rise, the farther you fall”.
Today I’m celebrating 29 years clean & serene!
No alcohol, no hallucinogens (believe me, I did enough of those to be able to slip in between realities at will for the rest of my life), no cigarettes, etc, & when you add in food allergies (no dairy, no sugar, no grains (no pastry…sigh…), etc it starts sounding like “No Fun”.
You could say my only vice, my ‘drug of choice’ is tea.
I was contemplating what tea to drink today, & when this sample arrived, I got tears in my eyes, LOL, & gave thanks to the Divine Universe, & to David.
I read the instructions on the website. To brew in the Gaiwan or the basket???? I couldn’t decide…So I asked the leaves, & then I went with a hybrid (I’m sure someone is laughing at this point).
Dry, I smell a mix of Tobacco & chocolate. The beautiful blond leaves brew into a deep golden honey cup! The flavor is rich & smooth, I think of dark chocolate, but it’s deeper, more earthy. I see an old growth forest, & there is a hint of spice. The 1st 3 steepings were done in my favorite cup with the finnum: 1 min, 2 min, & 3 minutes. There was a sweet undercurrent, which I identified in the 3rd cup as sweet potato. Also, my tongue & throat developed a satisfied sensation as if I’d eaten some really wonderful dark exotic 92% chocolate. The chocolate that isn’t really sweet. All of these steepings were full, dark, & rich!
At this point I switched to the gaiwan, so that I could keep steeping these leaves in a smaller amount of water. Now I’m getting a hint of banana bread pudding! I’ve gone through several steepings of this tea, & it is still flavorful, still caramel honey colored. Still tasty.
“Onward through the fog”
Ohhh you got some coveted golden fleece GO YOU!!! :)
Oh crap I meant to say HUGE congrats on 29 years!!! YAY!!!!
Yeah! Thanks on both counts, Azz!
Congrats! What a wonderful tea to celebrate with!
One of my favorite teas. Like you, I really enjoy my blacks (and never knew it until I discovered the good loose ones recommended on Steepster). I started drinking tea partly to get away from Coke Zero. I second Azzrian on the congratulations for 29 years.
Congratulations Terry! Sounds like it was a great tea for a great day. :)
*Terri. I promise I can spell.
Congratulations, Terri! I love that you received this special little gift on such a special day.
Thanks Nik! It was awesome!
Thanks everyone! My life is awesome!I love this community!
Love your “sweet potato” description! I was trying this one with David today and someone actually said the same thing. So funny that I ran across your review and you got the same thing – awesome!
I just ordered a bunch more of it!!
Making tea is a good excuse to look out of the kitchen window and try to see what the landlord is doing in the other half of the building. Fact about this house: It was built in the 20s if I recall correctly and the flat that I live in used to be a grocery shop. Upstairs, I imagine is where the grocer lived with his family and downstairs is the cellar. Adjacant to the building there is this empty space, also separated into two or three floors. I’m not sure, I haven’t actually explored it all that much. I assume it has been storage facilities or possibly stables originally. Fact about my landlord: He’s a builder. Lately there has been a lot of noise from the other side of my wall, so clearly his working on doing something with that empty space. Right now I think he’s been taking out the concrete flooring. I wonder if he’s converting it into more flats perhaps? So yeah, any excuse to peek out the window while pretending I’m not actually super curious, I’ll take it. :)
Perhaps this is the reason why I’m stupid! No really, any person who can’t tell seconds from minutes can’t possibly have that many brain cells to rub together, can they? That person, ladies and gentlemen, is your very own Ang. How hard can it be to set a timer? Very.
This tea was another one that Spoonvonstrup shared with me, writing something along the lines of ‘I know greens aren’t really your thing, but I thought I would share it anyway’. Funny really, considering I had just got a bout of green tea inspiration only a few days before the package arrived. Certainly it must have been after it was sent.
It was a generously sized sample, enough for two rounds, so I thought I would try to do it once in the western style and once in a more gong-fu-ish method (to the best of my abilities). Deciding to start with ten seconds, I… yeah, see above. It took nearly six minutes before it occurred to me that something wasn’t right. I can’t even save it by calling this the western style attempt because the leaf to water ratio is all stupid for that. I only use half the amount of water to the same amount of leaf when I attempt these short steeps.
So obviously the first steep yielded a very strong cup, but surprisingly not a ruined one. There is evidence in the flavour of it having gone rather wrong, but it’s by no means undrinkable. Just… strong. It’s got a silky soft and very fat flavour, kind of buttery but not completely. There is a vegetal note to both the aroma and the flavour which reminds me of a bit of cooked spinach. And then of course a bit of a prickly ‘you-got-me-wrong’ reminder behind it all, which I get a clear impression shouldn’t have been there. “Idiot proof” Spoonvonstrup’s post say. Well, then I came along…
But! All is not lost, so let’s try again and see if we can’t get it right, yes? This time I succesfully differentiate my seconds from my minutes and the aroma is a lot crisper. It still has that spinach note but there is also an additional note of something kind of citrus-y. I’m thinking lime, mostly because that’s the colour association I’m getting with this aroma. That colour is more or less the same colour Chinese green teas tend to give me. Japanese greens are much darker in hue in my head.
The flavour is more crisp as well. Not so fat and butter-y, but still with the spinach-y note and a whole lot of citrus. There were no citrus whatsoever in the first botched steep. Interesting, this citrus note. It’s all refreshing and nice tasting and it doesn’t give me that sour aftertaste that green teas sometimes do.
How enjoyable this second cup is! I really like this citrus aspect.
I thought the third cup would be the same as the second, but it appears my initial whoopsie has taken its toll on the leaves because already now they appear to be fading. It is more or less the same as the second cup, same spinach and same citrus, but it’s somehow diminished. More transparant.
I say ‘more or less’, but actually there is some difference in the spinach notes. It seems to be going faster than the citrus-y note, so it appears like the citrus is stronger this time. I don’t think it is, I think it’s just more on its own this time.
This diminishing of flavour shouldn’t happen so quickly in a green tea, I don’t think. I can only imagine that it’s the initial very long steep that has been at play.
It’s still quite an enjoyable cup, though. I just rather miss the spinach.
Unpertubed however, I continue. Weirdly this seems to smell like the second cup. I would have expected it to be even more transparant and for that to only get worse from now on. There is a thick butteryness to it now which I don’t really feel was there before.
The flavour solves the puzzle. It’s not that the spinach has come back like it was in the second cup. It’s that with the further increase in steeping time, the spinach and the citrus is once more in that same balance. The increased steeping time have then given it time to get a little stronger than it was in the third. Even though the third cup was increased with five seconds and this cup has been increased by a further five seconds, so logically it still ought to have been more of the same.
I shan’t complain, though. This is like a rerun of the second cu- oh dear, mental image. Unfortunate phrasing. Let’s call it a do-over rather than a rerun, shall we.
This is going rather well! Let’s do another.
Normally at this point I would start thinking the flavours were fading and I would be getting bored. This particular tea, however, appears to be surprisingly entertaining. I was hoping for another cup like the second and fourth, with a nice spinach and citrus balance in it, but now it seems the citrus-y bit has taken a step back. It’s still there, it’s just hanging out in the background this time. There’s something else, though. Something sweet. Just a smidge of it. It’s not sugar, it’s more like fruit sweetness. Hmm… interesting. Nah, I think I prefer the citrus/spinach balance.
Perhaps that’s an every other steep sort of thing? Let’s try again!
Nope, this is the nearly the same as the previous. Strong on the spinach note and a non-fruity fruit-like sweetness. Hm. Does that mean that the citrus note is completely finished? That’s the only difference. The citrus-y note has changed characteristics and now comes over more like a green apple of some sort of tart variety. Granny Smith perhaps, or similar. There is an apple-y aftertaste at this point as well.
And I think that will be the last cup, unless I decide to do another one later tonight, but although I should have liked to explore that nice apple-y note that has come out, frankly this is doubtful. I’m not bored with it, and I’m sure there is lots more life in the leaf, but I’m full. I can’t drink any more.
I am anxious to try this myself even though I am not a big green tea drinker myself. Thanks for the thorough review.
I really enjoy reading these steeping notes. These are the type of notes that inspire me to try to get re-steepable tea. Very entertaining.
Exactly! I feel the same way Meg! I mean sometimes you can steep a tea so many times I never get the FULL benefit from the tea lol but I try to dry it back out and save it for the next day but I always want something different! I go about three steeps maybe four before Im done but it is nice to have that option!!!
So glad you enjoyed!! :)
Scott, Neither am I, and I was totally won over. I think perhaps with green teas I just really like them better with the multiple small short steeps as opposed to western style. If this botched first cup was akin to a western style result, then I’m not likely to like that very much.
MegWesley, thank you. :)
Azzrian, yes, I know what you mean. It bothers me a little sometimes that I don’t do it more often, but on the other hand, I prefer to drink the tea I want rather than the tea I think I ought to drink.
Spoonvonstrup, I did! Much more than I had anticipated. Especially after the first steep went wrong.
I only do Western-style steeping, but for me finding a green tea I like has just been trying various types and seeing what I like.
I only did Western style as well. That will have to change, if it can put other types other than just blacks into my regular rotation.
I just pulled the same timer mistake when making tea the other day using the timer on my new oven, but mixed minutes with hours…
This week has been pretty crazy. Orders were much higher than usual this week while we were trying to prepare some teas to be added to a new local store. Also, we finally received our industrial label printer. This thing is absolutely huge. Didn’t look that big in the demo video but it is very large. Pretty soon we will start integrating in nicer packaging labels that are waterproof, tear proof, and scratch proof. No more red smudges on our labels. Yay! Now I’m taking a brief moment to relax with some awesome tea before finishing up the description for our new Da Yu Ling Oolong, so we can have that up on website today.
I love this tea! This is my reward or special treat tea. The honey aroma is so intoxicating but while drinking its a bit lighter on the honey but still very naturally sweet. There is a also a buttery pastry flavor, I’m thinking croissant-like. This tea is just very warming and comforting to me. It makes me feel warm. I’m definitely tasting caramel and raisins but as the tea cools I’m getting some floral notes too. Sometimes I will overleaf this tea when I’m looking for more of the pastry notes and want to tone down the sweetness. With a little more leaf it can almost taste like a different tea.
Unfortunately, I didn’t make a very large purchase of this tea so I do expect that we will run out before we can purchase again in July/August when this tea is harvested again.
UPDATE: We have a very small amount left of this tea and will not be able to acquire more until after the July/August harvest. If anyone wants me to hold a half ounce for them, I would be happy to hold it for up to a week. We expect to run out by the end of this weekend.
Preparation
Such a great tea..
Oh man, I will have to purchase in July for sure!
Sil-Yums! I’m a big fan of every leafhopper tea I’ve tried. Those little beasts do great things for tea. :)
Indigobloom-We might still have it in stock for a while. It really depends on how many bulk orders we get of this tea.
This sounds super delicious! I love tea with a buttery profile.
Oh, this sounds goooood.
Hm. Sil, we may have to add some of this to our future joint order.
IB – I WILL be picking up some of this at some point. The sample Stacy sent me with my last order was wonderful!
The Happy Lucky’s Guys and I agree that this is Phenomenal!
Emily & Michelle-Thanks, I think its pretty tasty.
Bonnie-I can’t get your review out of my head and I always think about waffles when I’m drinking this tea. :)
@kittena – put it on the list lol with the pineapple cilantro haha
HELLO Steepsters! It’s been MONTHS and MONTHS and I’m back! I’ve missed you! I just have to get used to the changes around here! LOL
Anyhow…LOVING this tea!
I enjoy sharing tea with friends and family…however…Assam Black Tea #8 from Zi Chun Tea Company is one that is quite hard to part with!
Read my full review:
http://sororiteasisters.com/2014/03/11/assam-black-8-zi-chun/
Flavors: Apricot, Bread, Malt
Preparation
I was asked to try this tea (since it is one that I tossed the idea out there for, I figured I should), and it is AWESOME. This is exactly what butterbeer should taste like … or at least what I’d imagine it to taste like.
I’ve only tasted one other “butterbeer” inspired tea, and that was an adagio custom blend, and it was alright… I think I liked it more because it was called “butterbeer” and not so much because it was a great tea.
This, on the other hand, I love because it is a great tea, and I’d love it even if it wasn’t called butterbeer, but it should be called butterbeer because that is what it is.
Oh sheesh… I’m rambling.
I’ll talk more on this one later, when I’m up for writing a proper review.
I love this!
I am SO glad this is being received well. I think it’s a really unique blend. I would love to see this one on the first page of Steepster teas.
I’ve got to try this, I think as a huge HP fan it’s required. :)
Frank, please tell me you are reviving this one?? And Double Chocolate Decadence, since it must have sold out nearly as quickly? I missed out and desperately want both now…
I am waiting on some supplies to reblend this one. Not sure about the Double chocolate at this point. Maybe.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed. I feel like teas are selling out too quickly (for me) on your site and I keep missing things! Sigh.
I’ve got the biggest smile on my face to see Kittenna request these two teas. :)
Seriously, you guys should consider subscribing … I receive a package each month of all of Frank’s teas, and I am really glad, because now I don’t worry about anything selling out.
I regret not subscribing when he had the 15% off deal, so I probably will if something like that comes up again. I’ve wanted almost every blend (aside from maybe Doggie Tea).
well, the doggie tea wasn’t part of the subscription, so no worries there! :)
Even without the discount, it’s a good deal. A better deal with the discount for sure. But hopefully, he won’t be offering any discounts UNTIL it’s time for me to renew my subscription. :)
I just wish shipping costs weren’t an issue! And, you know, ability to drink that much tea…
I agree with above comments about chocolate decadence. Since all the raving reviews about this tea, I will just have to try it!
Full Review on www.SororiTeaSisters.com on the 20th but here are the snippits:
Wanja OP Black Tea from Wanja Tea of Kenya provides a strong, bold, wonderful experience. Early infusions taste of hints of cocoa, malt, and fruits, while later infusions bring forth notes of leather, cigar smoke, and woods. Truly a delicious cup!
While Martin currently only has two teas in stock I am watching his online business grow over time, and he selects his teas with the upmost care and concern for his customers! Truly a respectable man!
Absolutely not one bit of astringency or bitterness. Rather, malt, caramel, cocoa, and fruit notes abound! The floral note is difficult to determine for me, I taste it, its present, but I have had a difficult time deciding exactly what floral aspect it is, perhaps violet. The floral note seems to be more on the after taste rather than in the sip itself.
I hope that more people take advantage of this really affordable price point as well! At four dollars per ounce there really isn’t any reason not to try this tea!
Ill have to check it out. Sounds like a nice start up company at the moment.
It is – he is adding teas slowly but I respect that he is not just trying to put anything and everything up there and is honing in on what he thinks is the best from Kenya and fair trade. :)
Do you know what shipping costs are or if they ship to Canada? That does look like a nice start up. :)
I am sorry I sure don’t know but I would do a mock order and just see what happens! That is what I usually do when I don’t know :)
I did that and it didn’t seem to add any shipping costs which seems too good to be true. I sent him a tweet about it. Otherwise I may go ahead with the order and see what happens!
There really may not be any. I would not doubt it! He is such a fair guy. He may have to add some later as his business grows but for now I really feel he just wants to make a name for himself and get his tea in our hands! :)
• Ah.. I tried to complete the transaction and then it told me there was no shipping to Canada. Oh, well! Maybe I should take advantage of my aunt’s place in The States. I’ll keep my eyes on this company though! :)
Ah bummer – Im sorry. Well I am always happy to ship to Canada if you need a place to have it mailed. That is if you don’t want to have it sent to your Aunt’s regardless sorry that is a bummer to find out after the fact.
Thank you for the offer! I think I may take you up on it; I don’t know when I would be able to get in contact with my Aunt. It was a bummer but not unexpected- it was too cheap to be real (at least in Canada). XD
Just PM me if you decide you want to go for it. I have tried both of his teas and they are both really good. Oh and I do NOT work for him lol just like seeing someone get started up in a good biz.
Happy to help if you decide you want to go for it.
I’ll let you know tomorrow! I’m determined to get my hands on both of those teas now. Thanks again- I trust you completely and also like seeing people start up. :)
Sounds good! I think I am going to watch a movie and try to get some sleep – movies usually put me to sleep haha. :) talk to you tomorrow.
I am working on including shipping to Canada.
wanja – thank you for that! I’d love it if you could post on steepster in the tea companies/promotions thread when you have this figured out. I’d love to be able to help support you in your journey :)
We now offer shipping to Canada on wwww.wanjateaofkenya.com
Excellent!!! :)
Yes!!!! Thank you :)
I just can NOT top Kashap’s review! Its spot on!
I love this oolong! I too am not always fond of Wuyi – I like it but this is the first one I can recall that has really WOWd me!!
The aroma – wow – when I had that first whiff of this tea before sipping I instantly thought of Burnt Marshmallows! Now I indeed do love my marshmallows burnt till they are pitch black as long as there is still yummy melting marshmallow inside. This was the aroma! There was that smokiness to it that really had me.
I have had a long dang day and this is hitting the spot!
To top it off I started my day with an excellent tea from another company – already reviewed – then I had another tea from THIS company which I have yet to review but soon will. I just don’t think I am alert enough to give either of these teas from White Lion justice right now.
I will say this. I really can’t afford another tea order right now and have a lot of expenses coming up, and I have been wanting to place an order with a favorite company for ages now BUT I regret, regret, regret, NOT getting more than a sample of this AND their Lemon Souffle!
An order is being placed!
Plus I am grabbing a sample vanilla dolce and calypso!
Now I must get some of this. You had me at marshmallow.
LOL :) If you make an order with them be sure to get at least a sample of the Lemon Souffle!
Thanks for the tip! I’ll add it to my shopping list for when I have money to throw at tea.
Oh man…another tea company….lol must resist…just need to get through another week…
thanks for the sweet kudos dear Azzrian…that means a lot…blushes
Haha your welcome but seriously your review was intimidating in a good way!
Also I wish we could find photos for this company’s tea – their site won’t let me steal them! Bah!
I SUPPOSE I could take some of what I have / get but you know it won’t look as good. Oh maybe I will post the ones of the box I posted earlier in the threads. Duah
I have pics that I took but I couldn’t post them on here unless I ‘recreated’ the tea
I just slapped that one I took earlier up for now. Maybe they will get some photos to us if they see more reviews :)
I just looked at White Lion’s site, and wow! It looks beautiful. Between that and your reviews I am going to be cash poor but tea rich. ;-)
Haha sorry about that :) I am sitting here staring at my order ready to hit the button …. SIGH I need to go organize the tea I have now! lol
Ahhhhh, I can’t place an order from Canada? Sigh.
Nooooooooo!!!!!
jessi – if i ever get around to placing an order with them I’ll try to remember to drop you a line. We could do a swap as i have a friend who transports my tea across the border every weekend lol
Haha, awesome! I would love to try a couple of their teas. Thanks for the offer!
As I sip this amazing offering from a company I feel like I am friends with, I can’t help but be disturbed by the claims of certain people on the internet. Claims? Slander.
I’m upset, because I truly feel like a friend is being attacked – not a company, just a friend.
I feel like I’ve learned TOO much from my purchases from Verdant tea. I feel so blessed to have been given this sample from aisling of tea ! It means a lot. THANKYOU!
I rinse. I sip. I repeat!
Beauty in a cup. More than flavour, yes! More than words. Just enjoyment. But also sadness.
- – -
There are notes in this cup that are reminiscent of the Cornfields Shu I miss already! This is definitely both deeper and brighter with mustiness but also light citrus notes! It’s like a ping pong game with my tastebuds – but it definitely brings me happiness and joy!
Verdant tea has brought tears to my eyes with some of their teas – evoked real emotion in an actor who fakes life every day. What can I say, I’m off my little soap box now. :B
Bravo!
Hmm… Did I miss something? Seems so …
“can’t help but be disturbed by the claims of certain people on the internet. Claims? Slander.”
What are you referring to?
pmed you 4 times by accident! lol sorry <3
I have never ordered from Verdant but I probably will eventually. I have had samples of several of their teas in swaps and they were magnificent. I haven’t seen anything bad about them ever before, so I guess I missed whatever happened. I think most everyone feels that they are a “Creme de la Creme” company.
claims?? what? now I need to know!
Haters gonna hate. And elitists are going to think they are better than everyone else.
I guess I missed something too
Decided not to share more because it makes the people causing trouble get even more attention.
I definitely understand, Bonnie. I went looking for it and now I wish I hadn’t.
Me too Dinosara….
Wow,
Thanks for your support. This makes my day! I am really happy to be a part of the tea community here on Steepster, and to have the support of friends and fellow tea-lovers. This is such an awesome place of self-selected people interested in helping each other grow. It really stands out on the web.
In any case, I am grateful for all the support of the Steepster community and for your post, and the comments here, and for Bonnie’s words on that thread. I wouldn’t be in business without all of you, so I am glad to have the means to keep searching out exciting teas to share, and improving the blog, the videos, etc.
All my best,
David
I’m so glad you’re enjoying your swap teas! <3!
Sorry for being absent from Steepster for so long, everyone :( It’s been an interesting few months, finally doing some physical therapy to get myself back into “good” health…Had an acl reconstruction about 10 years ago that never really healed right, so 10 years of an imbalance spreading through my whole body…When you start having fatigue after going up two flights of stairs, and you are only 28 years old, you start to get a bit scared.
So now that that is out of the way, time to address whatever criticisms that seem to have been leveled towards Verdant… “It’s expensive…” Well, duh…Verdant is not some bargain basement, eBay run wholesale business. When is the last time anyone has been to Teavana? Not trying to knock Teavana, as it holds a special place in my heart for being the shop that opened my eyes to the world of loose leaf tea.
I could tweet David tonight, and most likely have a response tomorrow(well, considering tomorrow is thanksgiving, probably Friday…he deserves some time with his wife!) Same with Facebook or email. David has always been there to answer any questions I have had.
I must relate a story about my interaction with David. This was over the summer, probably around July. I had questions for him about puer, differences between sheng and shu. I also related my dislike for extreme mustiness, which to me almost seemed moldy(something I have gotten somewhat accustomed to, I love the 2007 Xingyang Shu and Yanxin Reserve nuggets, and am getting used to the 98 Xingyang.) I received an email response from David within two hours, covering all of my questions, with suggestions as well. Now, if that were all of the story, I would still be pretty darn pleased. In my subsequent order, along with the usual note from David, there was also a sample of the Yanxin 04 shu nuggets, in a plastic bag with a hand written label that also said “our least ‘musty’ shu.” He knew my preferences, and tailored my sample accordingly. I found that gesture extremely satisfying, and from that moment on I decided that while I may not get all my tea from Verdant, I would always buy tea from Verdant! Seriously, if Verdant stocked every tea imaginable, I would buy everything from just David…
I have also bought from Teavana, TeaTrekker, Cloudwalker, American Tea Room, TeaSpring, Dragon Teahouse and Upton Imports, and while I have no problems with any of those companies, I prefer Verdant. Price isn’t an issue for me, while it may be for some/many, the service, quick shipping, tea quality and easy access to a knowledgeable owner more than compensate for any extra price!
Now if I could just restrain myself from buying any new dark oolong, black or puer tea…Ugh, but I can’t resist!!! Friday I must get some of the Yu Lu Yan black tea…and I think there may be a budset shu on Monday that I will need to try… I’m mad at myself for not getting an ounce of that 96 sheng while it was available :( went back on later that night and it was all gone!!! Oh, what have I missed! That’s why I will have to get some of the new black tea Friday, and the shu(and whatever I find interesting) Monday…I don’t want to wait and find the new black tea to be sold out on Monday!!!
I don’t know how often I will be posting in the future, I’m sorry I seem to “binge post.” It’s just the way I am, and in no way am I trying to be disrespectful!
Hybr1d
P.S. I was the one who got the bigger Zhuni pot, and I have seasoned it for Xingyang 07/98, plus Yanxin Nuggets!! I’m loving it so far!!
How does one like a comment? HyBr1d, I hope you’ll feel better soon! And well put!
Thanks for thinking of us Hy! I hope you’re feeling much better and know you have the amazing tea by your side to help you through.
We miss you friend – your post was inspiring, optimistic and passionate! Not disrespectful in the least – quite the opposite. :) Good to see you!
Azzrian sent me some of this – it’s her custom blend via Butiki Teas and I am pretty jazzed about trying it! I couldn’t find it in the database so I am sorry if it’s a double!
It sort of smells like a crusty-peach bread stick or something…prior and during infusion.
The liquor is a light orange-brown…there are floaties AKA a texture to it, too.
After infusion was complete – it smelled more like fresh peaches and wheat or barley or maybe even a little hay-like. There is a bit of a brothy-type flavor/texture to it, too, that was surprising yet welcomed.
I guess in a way it taste like a flat-beer…but in a tasty way! :)
This is completely different than other teas I have had…I do really like it. It has a pleasant morphing flavor roller coaster going on and I find that fascinating!
As it sits at room temp for a few moments it does get sweeter and peachier. YUM! This is tasty!
Glad you like this one. It was a fun journey creating this with Azzrian. Just so you know, she was spelling this “Peach HoppiTea”. There are actual Cascade Hops in this, which is what gives it that bitter taste. Eventually, we plan on offering a similar version.
Want! mmm peachy teas!
Sounds amazing
this sounds awesome!
mm floaties! Sounds very unique of a tea!
A very nice vanilla bean tea! A good black base that is fairly strong with a lovely french vanilla flavor! I really do love The Persimmon Tree Tea Company. I have only sampled a few flavors that are not my style but that is a personal taste thing. Most of their teas have been very satisfying. You have to try their Mandarin Silk! This one is no exception. I am choosy when it comes to both chocolate and vanilla flavorings and I really do like this one! It is great on its own but I have added a little German Rock Sugar because I have a sweet tooth right now (always).
Preparation
You’re just going to keep on trying teas that sound good to me, aren’t you?!
Kit you MUST order from them! Seriously – the reward points build up SO fast that you can place one fair order and as long as you review the teas on their site you get points (like verdant) and they build SO fast! I got three teas two 2 oz and 1 4.5 ounce for under 11.00 FREE SHIPPING – then I got another 2 ounce for 59 cents! The teas are really good – a few I was not too found of but most I have really enjoyed ! Give them a try! I really love White Guava, Mandarin Silk, and this one. I still have a lot more to try and they always send several free samples WHICH you also can review unlike Adagio where you can’t review and get points for samples!
Oh wow. Well I think you sent me one, if not more than one sample from them. I’ll check them out! You seem to be pretty impressed :)
Their teas are not the most complex creations on earth – I mean they can’t be compared to say Tevivre or Verdant but then I have only tried their flavored teas and not their straight.
Gah, another company with horrendous Canadian shipping. $24? Really
Seriously? Ugggggg well you know what you can do! :)
Definitely was thinking about it!! No more ordering until I’m back from holidays though. I’m already worried that things are going to arrive while I’m gone, and stay cooped up in their packages for two weeks… I think I have 3? things en route right now, Amanda’s nicely going to hang onto my stuff (when it all arrives) so that problem doesn’t arise…
Oh good we don’t want your babies out in the heat that long!
Azzrian – would you like to earn the points by referring me? Not sure what that entails, but you may as well get some $$ (since I’ll probably end up placing an order eventually).
I would love to but didn’t know they had a referral program! I will go check that out!
Thanks!
One of you can refer me too, I think I have to try them based on this points system!
Oops deleted that by mistake! Let Kat have it so she has a good start on her first order! :)
Thanks Azzrian! You won’t get points until my first order, but I will make one…! Eventually :D And probably send it to you :D
Works for me and I can send you more goodies when I forward the package your way! Amanda is welcome to have hers sent here too and I can get it to both of you via you right Kit? If she wants to do that anyway.
Amanda is luckily American! Indigobloom is my Ontario tea buddy :D
Ohhhh okay. I have the Durrs today.
White guava? Wow… The french vanilla also sounds lovely.
I think I like the white guava even more than this one – but apples to oranges of course one is white one is black BOTH are good.
Western Style. I should stop drinking tea at 2AM. School habits die hard.
First sip: It tastes like solid ordinary green oolong to me. although, I shouldn’t say that, as technically I have only tasted ONE straight oolong up to this point.
Second sip: Whoa! Did my Dad take some of the butter that he had just melted for the popcorn and dump some into my teacup? It’s extremely buttery, and there’s something like honey but softer and more floral. After experiencing that I went and double-checked the online write up of this tea and it mentions honeysuckle notes? I don’t remember what honeysuckle tastes like but maybe that’s what it is.
I’m still unsure how to describe oolong but soft buttered spinach sort of covers this one. I’m also getting something “freshening” mid sip and in the aftertaste. Apparently there is also a cinnamon note but my dead tongue only gets a hint of it if I take a gigantic mouthful and imagine hard enough.. It’s dominantly sweet butter.
Second Steep: Consistently tastes like the first steep. Buttery body and a sweet finish. The brothy “texture” continues to be thick like melted butter too.
Wow! I honestly bought this for the inclusion of “sparrow” in the tea name. I wasn’t anticipating much- I definitely wasn’t expecting to love it on first steep. I guess I’m a sucker for butter, cream, or anything that so much as mentions birds. This is definitely as delicate and mellow as a “sparrow’s tongue” and the small, scrunched up dry leaves further painted that image too. I checked Butiki’s website and apparently this tea is on sale for 33% off until January 18th. I may have to take advantage of that next week.
Preparation
Your description reminds me of Bird Pick Tea and Herb’s Premium Silky Green, one of my favorite oolongs. My son won’t drink it because he says it tastes so much like melted butter that his brain won’t let him believe it is good for him!
hmmm maybe i should try this one.
Ashmanra, that sounds amazing! I wish they shipped internationally. Maybe I’ll get the chance to visit a retail store if/when I head down the coast (international tea tour)!
That sounds really good. I’ve never bought any Butiki teas, but am considering it!
I love buttery oolongs, I’m discovering lately. Perhaps I need to evaluate if I need enough from Butiki to justify making an order…
Yum. And I can totally relate on drinking tea late at night. Such a hard habit to break.
Sil-I don’t think this one is for you. Its on the greener side for an oolong.
It is a very green oolong.. It’s funny that, although I saw a picture before purchasing, “sparrow” makes me think brown. Alas..
stacy – i know..i just feel like i need to keep trying them lol
CrowKettle-Sparrow definitely makes me think of brown. The name comes from the shape of the leaves. Apparently they are shaped like a sparrow’s tongue.
Sil-Hahaha. Well, it never hurts to try a new tea. Maybe one day your tastes will change and you will suddenly enjoy green oolongs.
Well that’s that! I just made my first Butiki order, even though I don’t really have the money for it, thanks to your review. :p But there were just too many tempting teas!
Also, I have 0 willpower after 2am.
Oh.. I feel strangely responsible. I hope you like them (if you don’t I’ll swap)! What did you pick out?
Sparrow Tongue, 3 Friends (sounds interesting, it’s on sale AND it has a tin), Creamy Eggnog, Raspberry Truffle and Ceylon.
And I’ll keep your offer in mind, but based on the ratings and comments, I’m sure these will be quite hit! :D
Those sound great. Everyone’s been raving about the Creamy Eggnog, and I’ve been meaning to pick some up too. :)
After a 14 hour work day and far too little sleep, I’m propped up in my comfy comfy bed with my dogs and my laptop and a big fat cup of this. By the time I finish it and snuggle my dogs for a while I think I might be almost human: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYUR3ec9Pqs
I am so glad you made it through the day, dearest. You are amazing!
I’m a tough little broad – but it seemed like that day was never gonna end. My boss kept texting me “go home” and I’m all, “um remember we promised to get this out TODAY?” I went and got sandwiches for my staff (because WTF one of them doesn’t eat PIZZA!!) and LOL I made everyone tea. They had big ole cups of Full-Steam (we were taming tigers dammit!) and I shenged with my little work sheng set up. I had a nice YS sheng which I need to write about on the pu page. I am so behind with all of that. How are you this morning sweetest?
Oh, I just finished boiling two of my yixings – my two favorite yixings SO FAR (I have a feeling that carved leafy one may rise quickly to the top once it gets here): my adorable purple YS one and the so cute Tranquil Heart Mandala one. Then I have to make decisions about what to seasons them with and I keep changing my mind.
Perfect song! Perfect tea…
Who doesn’t eat pizza in this world???
Missy, I’m so happy you love your pots, I love mind too, they’re lime little babies, are they not?
(I have to stop with those typos, and look at what I’m typing…)
Hahahaa!!!! I am the asshole employee who doesn’t eat pizza!!!! No cheese for me LOL
But there ARE pizza with no cheese!!! You just gotta ask :-)
TTF – I love you, but for realz? You can’t get good pizza around HERE without cheese. At home, I make a bangin’ vegan pizza, but at the pizza shop… well… let’s just say that veggies and sauce just doesn’t cut it :p
Kidding, love you even pizzaless ;-)
I like to use a tofu peanut sauce for an asian veggie pizza or sometimes I use vegan cheese, but ONLY in case of emergency. Vegan cheese isn’t so good LOL
I want a lime baby…..
Now are you making fun of me mrmopar??? Cause if you are, you’re totally right ;-)
I don’t eat pizza’s either. lol Can’t eat the crust or the cheese. Leaves only sauce, meat & veggies. Believe me, there are loads of people out there that have food allergies or sensitivities. So nice you got sandwiches instead for them.
OK perhaps I should mention that I live in Austin where you can literally get ANYTHING, including pizza: vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and any other -free you can imagine
I’m with Ubacat, I can’t have the crust or the cheese, so I usually layer veggies & meat sauce in a bowl, which is the same thing I have when others are having pasta. Once in awhile I feel left out, so I make Meatsa, yeah, you heard me: mash out seasoned ground meat in the shape of a small crust, bake it until it firms up & starts to brown, top it with sauce & veggies, & bake it a little longer. Slice & enjoy :)
There’s also a crust you can make in the dehydrator from thinly sliced onions & ground flax seed. It tastes like onion rings
I want a lime baby, too! ;)
Cauliflower pizza crust:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/cauliflower-pizza-crust/
you’re welcome
I don’t know how I’ve never done a cauliflower pizza crust. I’m generally satisfied with just pepperoni and cheese in the microwave for low carb pizza alternatives.
Another easy crust is low-carb tortillas, though those use a small amount of gluten in them, which I don’t personally mind but others will.
Hmmmm… interesting
LOL! Y’all are too much!
I want a lime, baby! Then I can make my pure margarita when I get home from the tea shop.
Hahah! Ok, that was a cute one, guess I’ll try to embrace my typos from now on ;-) and yo, margarita = awesome!!
I have a lime baby, LOL, it’s my dwarf key lime tree. I can pick a lime anytime I want.
Totally screwed for my final exam on Thursday. I just finished all my final papers a few days ago and have been trying to memorize ~200 definitions plus a plethora of other info. Sigh. What a colossal waste of time.
This is a decent EGC. The dry leaf smells like creamy vanilla and bergamot, so we’re off to a good start, but the taste is a little lacking. Hot, it’s a little creamy, not too astringent. Definitely like it more hot than cold.
Cold steeped was a real let down. The base comes out more, but it has this dry, straw-like flavour to it. The creaminess is lost and the bergamot is there but not as strong as I had expected.
Have definitely had better EGC blends but have also had much worse too.
Oh joy.. memories! Good luck!
Thanks, I need it! haha
Oh finals week…it’s the worst. What class is it for?
Sociolinguistics. It’s the only undergrad course I’m taking, so while it’s nice to only have to write one, I never had time to internalize all of this beforehand because of my endless grad paper train throughout the semester.
Blah blah blah, all students have it hard. :)
Awww I know the feeling! You can do it! Believe in your glorious brain and its memorization capabilities :)
Good luck! I feel your pain with finals, but they will pass soon, just have to persevere!
The class (in theory) sounds fun! I’m an anthropology major, but almost did linguistics. Other than finals being a pain, have you liked school a lot?
I’ll chime in and say that I keep coming back to school. I’ve had 3-4 breaks where I’ve left and worked full-time, but I’ve always gone back. If you love learning and research, and can deal with academics, it’s awesome.
Incendiare, you can kick this final’s butt. :) I think everyone doing finals right now is cheering each other on!
Aww, thanks everyone. Best of luck to everyone else on their finals! We’re almost almost done.
Tamm, it is totally fun! Anthropological linguistics and sociolinguistics are similar so I can see why you were tempted. But yeah, I love school a lot, which is why I’m doing my MA now. How about you, are you enjoying anthropology?
Haha you just can’t keep away, OMGsrsly. It’s done that to me too. I’m on my third university now haha. Did you just complete a degree or are you currently working on something?
I’m almost done WOOO!!! Final on Friday, then a (seriously overdue) take home final and 25 page paper over the summer. Biology and Archaeology. Two full degrees, because a double major program doesn’t exist. You can tell someone likes school when they pull stunts like that. :) I’m considering grad school, but need funding..
That’s awesome Omgsrsly! I wanted to just do Archaeology as my undergrad, but our school doesn’t offer it.
Incendiare, I love anthropology, but I’ve fallen on hard times right now b/c my archaeology mentor is leaving the school and now I have to find a new field school…I really want to go to grad school, but I have no idea where to go.
OMGsrsly – maybe you’ll be able to get a scholarship and paid work as a TA? Some school will pay you $4000 a semester to be a TA, and that would cover the tuition at least. Housing.. well.. idk there.
Archeology sounds so interesting, and I would love to study more linguisitcs. Sometimes I miss being a student, but then I read everyone’s posts around finals and sorta remember that it wasn’t all great times. I wish I were more of an autodidact though. I keep meaning to teach myself all these great things and then fall through. My latest “fad” is trying to learn Spanish on duolingo.com.
Tamm, I haven’t done a field school because they are so incredibly expensive. It means I don’t get a CRM certificate with my degree which limits my work in the field. :/ I know that in most places arch is a subcategory of anth, but not here. The arch department here has never been with soc/anth, and they have actually joined the sciences. I think they’re transitioning to offer a BSc in arch for the lab/DNA geeks. :)
Cavo, I’ve had 3 offers in the sciences, and one of them comes with a pay cheque. My grades aren’t high enough for arch grants, but I might get a science grant… I’m just not sure what I want to do, and also I need a break!
That makes sense! A break isn’t a terrible thing, or you might suffer academic fatigue. :)
Omgsrsly, the field schools can be crazy expensive! I just found out today that there is still a slim chance I’ll be able to go to mine. It would really change a lot for me.
I think it’d make a lot of sense for soc/anth to be with the sciences. Especially what I study because it’s bioarchaeology/paleopathology. What kinds of things do you like to study in archaeology?
Cavocorax, I was looking at being a TA at a grad school near here and it was $5000/semester pay, plus they’d waive tuition! :O There are some major benefits at some schools. By the way, do you like that site? I’m trying to learn Spanish.
$5k a semester and no tuition is pretty decent! That would probably cover rent!
And from I’ve seen of duolingo, I really like it. I can’t wait until they get their android app out because I could see this being something I do on my phone while I’m waiting on the bus, etc.
UofA pays $16K for 2 semesters, and $8K for the summer lab work as a TA in the biological sciences. So happy to be a Masters student :)
I’m into evolution and ancient DNA, as well as learning about and preserving the heritage of BC First Nations. :) I’ve heard good things about Calgary for ancient DNA, but I don’t know if I want to move there. Fingers crossed you get your field school. From what I’ve heard, the experience is amazing! I’ve done some surveying and I love it, but sadly no digging.
Lynne, that’s Alberta? Here in BC they don’t pay nearly that much. Wow. I think they get just under $5k, but also have to pay tuition. Of course, some labs pay their grad students, but the wage varies. I think the highest in the university is $24k.
Whoa, need to catch up here. OMG, srsly, that’s great that you can get two degrees out of it though! I did an honours double major and U of A only gave me one degree. Eh, but I guess it doesn’t matter haha. Wow, archeology and biology, two awesome fields! That must be very fascinating.
Tamm, I’m really sorry to hear that, but I hope you can figure things out. That is such bad timing. Have you ever considered transferring to another school? I’m sure it could be done.
Cavocorax, I haven’t tried duolingo before, but that’s great that it’s free at least. The annoying thing about learning a foreign language is it’s practically impossible to gain fluency unless you’re around other people who speak it. It’s hard enough to reach that level when you learn it in a classroom, but Spanish is an easier language for native English speakers to learn, so I’m sure that site will give you a great foundation. I just bought a Finnish textbook the other day to accompany my Finnish dictionary, but geez, don’t know how I will honestly learn it unless I join a program or something. But don’t give up! Learning another language keeps those gears-a-turning in your head. :)
That’s why I’m soooo glad you got into U of A, Lynne-tea. They’re mighty generous towards the sciences students! And that’s great you were able to get on with a summer lab because you’ll get a head start.
And I love genetics! Almost went into that instead of foreign languages/theoretical linguistics. So ancient DNA sounds amazing. I had no idea U of C offered such a thing.
I had to read some DNA and stable isotope stuff this week and it blows my mind; especially aDNA stuff.
Yes, I’m still crossing my fingers! The project itself that I am trying to get into is working with the Lambayeque valley complex; so lots of really interesting stuff. I’m going to be talking to my professor on Wednesday. Hopefully we can get some stuff worked out! Watch as he tells me that I should go to the school he’s switching to! facepalm it’s literally the other side of the US.
Incendiare, I’ve thought about switching, but at this point it’d be a little silly. Even with my minor I’m probably graduating in ~3 semesters. The only other reputable college around here has really rigorous stuff for transfer students. It’s kind of annoying actually.
aDNA is so awesome. Difficult, tricksy, expensive, awesome.
Incendiare, I see what you did there… :D It’s a BSc in Biology and Archaeology, but because it’s not a double major program I had to take more courses. I’m going to see about graduating with the BSc then applying for a second graduation with the BA. Heh.
Tamm, that sounds so cool! There’s aDNA at my school, but I’m not 100% sure. I’ve heard some :/ things. At least here it would be focusing on BC First Nations instead of Albertan. BC is totally #1 for me. :)
Tamm, that totally makes sense. That would be a lot of work to transfer at this point. That’s so frustrating!
ZOMGsrsly (ha!), they should definitely honour you two degrees. At least let’s hope. I had to take more courses for each major than you would in a typical double major program too yet I wasn’t honoured that. Funny how different universities treat same/similar situations differently. I mean, I guess the title/number of degrees ultimately doesn’t matter, but in a way, it does when you’re applying to grad school and stuff. Kind of wish universities had universal rules for granting degrees. And it’s great how alive the BC First Nations research is over here. It’s very nice to see!
Good luck to all of you Steepsterites studying for finals! Knowledge is power :-)
hello sweetie…
Why there you are, you delicious dark chocolate indulgence in a cup. Where HAVE you been? Oh that’s right, i’ve been saving you, to savour every last drop of you. well today, i just wanted a taste. Just a reminder of the sweetness between us. The way your rich, dark, chocolate goodness surrounded me. You make any day incredible.
……oh yes.
I was so tempted to place an order after reading about this collection. Then I started adding other things to the order. Then I saw the total, got scared, and closed the window. Haha.
One day, one day I will place that order. Or better yet, one day I will travel to France and forgo the shipping all together :P
My thoughts exactly, VariaTEA! While I’d still like to place an order (maybe by the end of the calendar year), maybe it’ll give me an excuse to just physically go there so I can sniff ALL THE TEAS.
this one is really expensive…I’m not sure if i’d buy it again – i love it but this last tin i received, my parents picked up for me. I wish you could buy it in bags – then it would be a permanent restock
It’s more than the $25 tins? That is… ridiculous.
it’s 25euros…i think it was…
bags though are decently priced at 5-9 euros…but this is one of their exclusives
Dayum. Biting my tongue, but… really.
And this is a sipdown of a tea I WILL sorely miss. But it was perfect today as I wanted to be alert for my first day at my new job! :D
I’m sorta an office manager/personal assistant at a company that does special effects for TV shows and movies. It’s amazing! And not only does it pay well, it’s everything else I want: casual, in my own boss, set my own hours, have my own personal space, am part of a small team… I get to wear turn jeans and geeky tees too! And I can possibly help with creating the effects (mostly dead bodies).
My boss told me to make my space my own so I’m bringing my kettle tomorrow, and a 10 pack of mini tins!
(and I work off my own computer so no one is checking if I pop on Steepster so, I’ll be more up to date on my logs!)
Sweet job.
Awesome, sounds like a fun place to work! Congrats!
Thanks! It seems pretty perfect so far.
And we managed to arrange last minute daycare for our 19mo. 2014 is off to a great start!
Sounds like a great job!!!
This job sounds ideal!
This is so great.
Wow, that’s lucky in the GTA.
Totally! So, I guess we won’t be moving back to BC any time soon! :O
Yay! That’s awesome, Cavo! Congrats!
YAAAAY!!!!!
That sounds amazing! can you get me in on it?
Woooo!!!!! :D
That sounds like a fantastic job – congratulations!!
Thanks everyone. :D
I’ll admit, I was a little afraid to steep this for 6 minutes, having only ever steeped Oolongs for much much shorter times, but it came out absolutely lovely. Sweet, soft, beautiful. Mmmmm.
The second steep was much less sweet with more of the oolong leaf flavor coming through, but very nice with a light floral fragrance and taste.
Having never had an Oriental Beauty before, I was quite interested to hear how it was made. Here’s a blog post (To which I am not affiliated) on some basic history – http://teamasters.blogspot.co.nz/2007/02/study-of-oriental-beauty.html.
Preparation
DOCTOR WHO SERIES – JACKIE TYLER
Comforting and protective, she’ll give you a hug while simultaneously kicking someone’s ass for you.
A combination of chamomile, orange, rosehip and rosepetals, this tea is sweet and light and just a little bit tart. The chamomile lends it a bit of honey flavor at the front of the sip, and it finishes with the rosehip and orange.
Really, really good. Much better than expected. I’ve had an idea for this forever, and never had the ingredients to make it happen. I kind of feel as though I should be logging these as separate teas, since the ingredients are more or less finalized… but oh well. When I get around to doing the label artwork.
Preparation
Just a little tart… I see what you did there.
AH THAT WASN’T EVEN INTENTIONAL BUT IT’S PERFECT.
Hee hee, I caught that, too! I can’t believe it wasn’t intentional!
Loove Doctor Who. I love a lot of British tv shows in general come to think of it…
Hehe, I’m a fan as well. It was funny, I was watching The Producers yesterday, and it took me a bit to recognize Capt. Jack Harkness in there. Boy can sing!
My godson has an Imperial gunner costume from Star Wars (son is a Samd Trooper and building an ESB Stormtrooper costume – they are both in the 501st) but he just started cosplaying as the Ninth Doctor (Eccleston) and looks pretty decently like him! Middle daughter just got the thinkgeek Adipose for her b-day. We love the Doctor! I got started way back in the Tom Baker reruns.
Loving tea and being a nerd really seems to go hand-in-hand. :)
It’s impossible not to love Doctor Who :D My favourite season is the fourth with David Tennant (10th doctor) and Catherine Tate (Donna Noble)
American Doctor Who fans and Steepsterites! My brain may have just melted…
In a good way…
well North American anyway… as I am in Canada. Doctor Who rules!
In sad news, Mary Tamm, who played Romana I opposite Tom Baker, has passed away.
Growing up in Australia in the 80s and 90s there was a huge amount of British content on tv. My first tv memories are re-runs of Peter davidson’s 5th doctor and (weirdly) Operation Desert Storm.
I only started watching in January or February, but I think it’s impossible not to get hooked… I don’t have a favorite Doctor, though. I love them all! (Although Eccleston, being the first, always has a special place in my heart.)
And one of my favorite Barrowman songs ever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jv010KRU4Q ;)
Dr who is awesome! I’ve totally gotten a bunch of my friends hooked on the show. BBC programming really makes me happy – so many great shows that I wish more Canadians knew about
I’ve honestly stopped watching/listening to anything outside of BBC… mainly because I don’t watch much TV anyway, but still :)
For a episode which demonstrates the power of tea in the Whoniverse, check out 2005’s The Christmas Invasion, David Tennant’s regeneration episode.
YES.
There was also a moment when I was watching some episode from S2, I think, don’t remember which one specifically, but Jackie went “Alright, loves, here’s some tea,” just as my tea timer dinged!
Awesome! I love drinking tea while watching Who, and having a cookie, as I have a Tardis cookie jar, and lid even makes the noise when you move it!
cool! thanks for sharing that link :D I’m watching Torchwood right now on Netflix Canada. I wish they would post the newer Doctor Who stuff.
And the darjeeling tasting continues…
woo – this is so good! I don’t know exactly what my water temp is here, but it was well below boiling.
This tea is just like a spring day. It’s very light and flowery. The fruit flavor is a bit like a mango-y pineapple, but it has sweet and almost creamy quality about it. I’m also getting a bit of nuttiness in the finish. This is like, roll your eyes in the back of your head good. Mind-bendingly good, even.
If I didn’t have so many FF darjeeleings already I would certainly consider getting a larger size of this one.
Must. resist. the .urge.
I did resteep this again at 208 F. It is still great at the warmer temperature and has an almost candy like sweetness. It has definitely grabbed my attention, I can tell you!
Preparation
RtR doesn’t seem to want to carry this, so I ordered some from Upton. Can’t wait.
Resistance is futile.
Ha – you’ll be glad you did! I noticed they now have a FF sampler in tins, too.
I saw the tinned sample set, but I couldn’t find out how much tea was in the tins,so I just went with individual regular sample foil envelopes.
From what I recall it’s about 1 oz…
Upton also thinks this one is special. Luckily I ordered some before it disappears.
They must think it’s special-it was the highest price per gram that I noticed.
With all your tasting notes I feel like I should offer yard work for a taste of the teas you’ve brewed! You make them sound really yummy. :D
@Missy – I’m having fun! And most of them have been yummy… :)
Would it be impolite of me to call you a brat ??? (opens up my Upton tab)
I don’t mean it of course : )
@Cheryl – When it comes to tea, I am something of a brat. But you should see my dumpy little apartment and my out of date wardrobe. ;D
And I’m looking for a job (with equally sad wardrobe), yet have my wishlist open. Not to mention I’d break my self imposed moratorium (again, lol). Wishlist tops $200 now. Ummm, closing it for now (phew). This got added tho, hehe. Sounds great!
Amy-is the Thurbo better than the Risheehat? I’m getting so overwhelmed with tea. I mean, I haven’t ordered from TBolt yet, but after tasting the Risheehat….!!
One of the reasons I have been branching out to other co’s for Darj’s, is because I want to experience other teas. Now I feel like the Risheehat has pulled me back to Upton’s. I’m also wanted some Shincha this year and a Gyokuro.
I’m ordering tea MUCH faster than I can drink it, even though I was resolute at the start of 2012, to curtail my orders. It’s not working out quite as I had planned. :-||
Did you order this sample?
https://secure.uptontea.com/shopcart/item.asp?itemID=TD95
Not to mention their Pre-chingming selections look even better than lat years, with a greater variety-& mre $$$! I think I need to just STEP. BACK. AND. AWAY. FROM. THE. COMPUTER! :||
Scott, they are both good, I would be hard pressed to say which one I liked more. I just checked my samples and I think the last one I have yet to try from Upton is the Goomtee. I don’t think I got the Singbulli, if you can believe it. :)
I think I’m gonna order the 2 FF Darj’s from TBolt, and take my chances on uptons samples later…….I always place a Fall order with them.
Also, Shincha & Gyokuro are a MUST for me this year-so I can’t be ordering every sample under the sun this year. I still have a shishload of other tea to drink.
So this is in the small pot for just one mug-full. While I was making it, it suddenly occured to me that perhaps I ought to have done the short-steeping before the Western style. When I do it the other way around I often find the short-steep a bit thin in comparison. Oh well.
At the first sip this seems like I’m due for the same wacky experience as last time. It’s giving me an initial association to seafood with lemon, but wait! There is a solid sweetness hovering just underneath. It’s the caramel note, I think. In the large pot that didn’t show up at all at this point, but only came to completely replace the seafood-y lemon once the cup had cooled off some.
It’s as though with a smaller quantity, the flavours are getting compressed together rather than spreading out in neat little categories.
girly scream! OH MY GOD, I JUST NOTICED MY MOST FAVOURITEST AND BELOVED ROY KIRKHAM BONE CHINA POT HAS A FREAKING HUGE CRACK IN IT! I… need to go cry in private for a bit… O.O It’s not just the glaze. It’s cracked all the way through and it’s ten centimeters long. That’s a dead pot. And it was the most favourite one I’ve ever owned. Cute design and little to no drippage at all when pouring. Oh wail! Oh woe!
I shall clean it out and keep it on display before it actually breaks completely. Shall need new RK pot now. Clearly. (Do you think I might be able to persuade Husband that 8 mugs are totally not enough while I’m at it…?)
Gosh, what a dramatic little interlude there. Well, that also puts an end to any potential re-steep of these leaves now. Now that I’ve seen the crack, I can’t ignore it. I really, really, really don’t want it to break completely. While I was in a state of mournful shock, the tea has cooled off a bit further, and is now sort of on the brink between the caramel stage and burnt toast stage. Still following the road map the larger pot laid out, I see. Just, as mentioned, it seems squished a little closer together, making for a more ‘complete’ tasting cup. So the first experience wasn’t just completely bizarre, then. It really is that complicated a flavour profile!
I feel more confident about the rating now, and while I liked it for the most part, the initial seafood and lemon weirdness, I’m sorry, has to knock off a few points. Had it only not had the seafood association, I would have enjoyed a surprise lemon note much more.
Yikes, broken favourite pot. That is not good at all. I think your husband, if he has any compassion, should get you a new pot as a replacement and the extra mugs as a way to cheer you up.
Oh noes!! not the favortite tea pot!
Yes, because the old mugs are in the same series as this pot. :D
I was going to spend some of our wedding money on a second small RK pot anyway, because sometimes we might not want the same thing, and it’s a hassle to make first one cup, clean out the pot and then make the second cup. It’d be much easier to just have his and hers pots. I’ve been snooping about on the Roy Kirkham site trying to decide which pot I want to replace it with. I can get another ‘Please shut the gate’ on Amazon, it seems, if I’m quick, but if I’m keeping this one as a decorative pot, I’d rather have a different design, I think. There are so many cute ones though!
You can never have too many tea pots! ;-)
Only not enough space. I got rid of a lot never used ones when we moved, but there are still a good number of pots just kicking about because I couldn’t make myself part with them yet. One of them is an obscenely orange one with the single most drippy spout I have ever seen (to the point where you can’t actually really use it), but it was one of the first gifts Husband ever gave me, so… It stays.
I feel your pain. I have a pot corpse sitting in the corner as a decoration because of a big crack. Sob! I thought about selling the lid on eBay and making an artificial arrangement in the pot, or putting in a liner and adding a hardy indoor plant. Sigh.
I suspect that teapots are like books. If it ever reaches the point that you cannot move in your house due the sheer volume of pots/books then that is nature’s way of telling you that it is time to move to a bigger house. ;-)
Roughage: I like the way you think! As it happens, we are nearly run out of houses and home by both books AND tea paraphernalia!
Ashmanra, that sounds like a great idea, planting something in it. This is from tea for one set, so I think it might be too small for that purpose. I might be able to repurpose it, though. Pen cup, perhaps?
Roughage, there’s no such thing as too many books. :)
Oh man, losing favourite tea accessories is the worst! I totally sympathize and am sending huge hugs. <3
Yeah, this one was particularly bad. I bought for myself for my birhtday once, having seen it in the window of a shop and fallen immediately head over heals. How could I not? http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41XtC8iHFtL.SL500_AA300.jpg (The picture is off on the colours though. It’s not this yellow in real life.)
Sure, pens, paperclips, teabags! Bobby pins! It is too cute not to repurpose it!
Sorry to hear that :( No pot is too small for planting succulents, if that’s the direction you would like to go. My gaiwan I got for Mother’s Day cracked the second day I used it, but I have it on display next to my oversized impractical yixing pot, both have dragons on them.
Hmmm. I’ll pass the suggestion on to Husband. He’s the one in charge of plants in this house. (I can kill anything)
I turn broken pots or lidless gaiwans into lamps or holders for tealight candles (typically the electric variety, sometimes on timers). Bone china glows nicely when either lit from inside or backlit.
Wouldn’t the heat from the light just aggravate the crack more, though?
It’s difficult to keep these things out of the (sometimes)destructive paths of the cats, so I don’t really feel comfortable with the candle idea. I don’t know where I could safely put it.
I use electric ones, as I prefer not to deal with the smell of smoke when they are put out and can stick ‘em anywhere without regard to heat. There’s different brands out there, including ones that turn on or off automatically, making them good night lights that are not very bright at all.
This kind of thing:
http://www.target.com/p/flameless-tea-lights-set-of-12/-/A-11011179#?lnk=sc_qi_detailbutton
Oh, of course! That’s clever. (And cat safe)
sipdown! mostly because i really need to drink up some of these teas because HOLY THERE ARE TEA STORES IN CHICAGO! like close to the hotel…i can handle a 25 min walk for tea. I anticipate leaving early from work on monday and going to buy tea….just a hunch. I’m sure that now that i’ve said that, the world will conspire to keep me away from everything tea related but a girl’s gotta try!
this tea was less yummy the second time around but still decent enough to enjoy. not a restock though as there are others i prefer. Appreciate it though dexter! i’ve had a lovely time with these :)
What, WHAT. You’re going to CHICAGO?!
Snap to it, Sil. Better make some room for your obvious Chicago tea haul! Chug, chug, chug.
yeah i leave Sunday night, but get in too late to actually explore tea places… work all day monday – hoping i can get out of work with enough time to at least run up to one tea shop (it’s a 25 mins walk ish), would then have to get dinner and do some work… then tuesday, get up, check out, work all day and fly home… not a fun time but i’m hoping i can get out monday for just an hour or so.
Ha ha, I would totally walk 25 min to get tea, but if I was out of milk – no way. That would have to wait. Priorities.
oh i don’t mind the walk…even an hour would be fine..and i COULD technically figure out the red line to get there but walking = checking out some of the places on the way.
Adagio and Tea Gschwender are both there…and if i walk back to the hotel, there’s always the magnificent mile or Macy’s near the hotel if i REALLY want to shop.
…though i hate shopping for things other than tea lol
Oh, but the FOODS. And the COCKTAILS.
Okay, which tea stores? Which.
Where will you be in Chicago/what tea store? (Lived there for 5 years!)
I love that everyone posted exactly at the same time. Sil, you said the magic words, ‘tea shopping’ and ’Chicago’. Who doesn’t get excited about that?
haha I’m staying at the W Downtown, but I was going to walk up the mile (and then head in a bit) to maybe try hitting adagio and tea gschwender since they’re sort of close to one another.
Unless you have some other secret places i should go to Dinosara…I pretty much just hit goggle tonight as i haven’t had any time otherwise. Plus, there’s a chance i’ll be back another 3-10 times this year so what i don’t hit now, i can hit later. The office is near that hotel so i’ll always be staying in that area…ish
I don’t have too many specific suggestions for you because I wasn’t really tea obsessed when I lived there. You should find an Argo, though, there are a few throughout the city.
Argo have exploded! Last time I was there, there was one, now there are like 8, or something.
I go to chicago once a year to visit the harp factory. I almost never do anything else there. There was a tea shop there for awhile, but they closed before I got a chance to check them out.
argo is next door to work i think :)
I will admit I don’t like their stuff, but I like the free wi-fi, the decor (in the cosy ones)/the people-watching (the less cosy, but more lively ones) and their mugs. Especially the old ones with all the dots. I might possibly have a few at home.
Not going to lie, I’ve been dying to try this one for a while, so when I found out Awkward Soul had some to swap…. !! So glad I managed to nab some! :D
This one smells pretty delicious both dry and steeped. Creamy and delicious. Steeped, it gets a peachy sort of aroma as well.
Ohhhhh goodness. This is super delicious. Tastes just. Like. Buttercream. But less cloying! Sweet, coconutty, creamy is what I’m getting, plus a flavour that reminds me of Dulce & Banana and must be the chamomile(?) Delicious creamy/caramelly/butterscotchy aftertaste. Ahhhhh, I wish this was still available!! Anyone have any spare Buttercream they want to be rid of???? :D
Thank you so incredibly much, Awkward Soul! At the very least, my curiousity has been satisfied and I can understand the hype about this blend! On the downside, I only get about 2 more cups of it, but I will live :) I feel like I should also compare this to Whisky White before it’s all gone… I have a strange feeling they may have similar flavours.
ETA: Re-steep is really yummy too. I do quite like this one, why is it gone :(
Preparation
I got some Buttercream from Compass Teas Buttercream Frosting to be exact – they may be the same tea or similar. I will add a sample in with the trade we have been working on.
BOoooo, I didn’t know they took it off the website! I think it was last fall’s tea collection as I remember buying it with Pumpkin Chai. Happy you like it, the chamomile in it didn’t work with me. Smells amazing however.
Yeah, I have never seen it available for sale :( Really wish I could get some more. I’d love to try the tea from Compass, Azzrian, although one thing I’m pretty sure of is that DavidsTea isn’t one of those companies who sources their blends elsewhere! But there have been close matches before :) So here’s hoping!
Wait – did I ever send you any of this???
Are we working on a trade still? OMG I think I am losing MY mind now!
I know I am putting some things in Indigoblooms box – which I can do that with this one if I still have it. Do I? I dunno….. hold on…. Please tell me I already sent this to you because I believe I sent it on and it was not where I was keeping it (specific place so I know its gone.) GAH
Hahaha, actually when I ran across this post I thought the exact same thing! I have your box right here and will check…
Nope, I didn’t get it, but I did get two packages of Shang’s Sweet Leaf.
That sounds absolutely splendid! If you figure out a good “alcohol” mix for this, I’d love to hear it – I don’t drink, but it’d be cool to go around on St. Patrick’s day with “alcoholic” matcha ahha!
Ah what a perfect idea! haha St. Patricks day should be a matcha-thon I think, it’s too perfect. Will do b^_^
WOW! Now this one is going on my shopping list too! :)
I was surprised that I was the first to review it actually! It’s a great fall/winter flavour too :3
It is so cool that your boyfriend is enjoying the tea too. My hubby doesn’t drink tea. sigh oh well… that makes more for me! LOL I had to say though, he has been REALLY good about not complaining about me having so much tea that it is EVERYWHERE.
Matchaslide: Irish cream matcha, Bailey’s, kahlua, bit of vodka, cream.
Aw Anne, Mike says he doesn’t drink tea but I try to make him. So far matcha is the only one he actually loves! Does your hubby drink coffee instead? It’s always a plus that they don’t complain at least! :D
Ohhh Nik, you are amazing! I must do this!
Coffee and espresso flavors are already here. Vote next week to add them to the store and to put them on Sale :-)
@DaisyChubb: he drinks coffee only on occasion, and then he prefers the Via instant coffee from Starbucks. We buy that at costco about once a year and that’s enough for him for the entire year. He doesn’t drink coffee very often … his drink of choice is soda, which I don’t drink very often at all… usually when I drink soda, it’s some gourmet, really expensive, top-of-the-line soda that is only available at Whole Foods or something. LOL And because it’s usually so far out of our price range, I would say that I drink soda maybe only once a month, except when we go out to eat and the tea offerings at the restaurant are dismal.
But as you said, at least he isn’t complaining… not yet anyway. LOL!
MatchaTHON for St. Pattys! WOOT!
Good Luck !!!!!!!!!!!I’m sure you’ll get it!!!!!!
I’m going to apply at the one that is opening a block from my house so wish me luck too!
Let me know what the process is like!