Popular Tasting Notes

Sounds like a perfect tea for after cycling home in the rain!

I thought so. (He’s mad. I’d have left the bike and taken the bus!)

YAY birthday mugs and teapot!

also..HOLY CRAP your hair is gorgeous…

Happy birthday and I agree with Sil. Your hair looks amazing! Great color, but even greater curl!

(Not but. And. And even greater curl.)

Thanks, guys. <3 I think we went through a whole bottle of wine just doing those curls, haha.

i could stare at that pic alllll day long…

You can touch it if you wanna.

For a second I thought everyone was commenting on your pervy uncle’s picture. I’m sure you look fabulous! and tell me mooore about your birthday mug!

Oh my goodness, your hair is beautiful!! And, happy birthday!

Oh, uncle Rick is way prettier than me, I’m definitely not posting a picture with both of us in it.

I got my birthday mug at a somewhat unexpected place – Benetton! They’re currently doing a line of mugs with graphic prints that I really like.

The shape is simple, straight-up cylindrical with a simple handle. The base/background is white, and the pattern consists of circular shapes in a light turquoise. They resemble stylized daisies, with the white background showing through in the centre, and between the ‘petals’. They’re distributed symmetrically across the mug, and the ‘daisies’ in the vertical rows are kept together by very thin lines. I like how the pattern doesn’t go all the way up/down to the top/bottom of the mug, but that there’s white space along the edges.

…and here’s a picture for the sighted: http://tinyurl.com/mkxfpes

That’s a great description. The mug sounds lovely…and glad there’s a pic for the visually advantaged!

haha i love that keychange… visually advantaged. :)

Happy birthday, liberated Rapunzel! I love your hair way too much than is decent :D

You can also touch it if you wanna.

I’m happy you love Montagne de Jade because it didn’t work at all for me but I recognize it as a very high quality tea.
and of course you look like a princess with such hair !

It can sometimes be particularly frustrating when you find one of those teas you know are really exquisite and of the highest quality, and then you still don’t like them.

And nooo, not a princess – I look like a ninja assassin!

you’re a Ninja Princess ;)

Vaporware tea!

WOOT Ricky! :D

Your review is wonderfully evocative and beautifully written.

Thanks all :)

I bet Frank is secretly making this tea and it’ll really be a blend next week and we’re all going to be like, Frank, April’s Fool was last week and no one’s going to purchase the Tuna Melt. Wow, talk about run on sentences. I went to the park and I bought an ice cream and it dropped on the floor and I cried and I really didn’t do anything of this, but I just enjoy using the word and and that’s it.

I love it! Amen to your tiny print.

Go, Ricky!!!

Thanks all. Tuna melt is most popular tea! Success!

Amen to your fine print section- I ‘liked’ it for that reason and because the joke make me happy on april fools, which it apparently didn’t do for some people. Cheers!

I hope you’ll post some pictures and all!

Good luck on your race! :D

Good luck! I’m sure your doing an awesome job with it :D

Feel better soon!

Feel better!!

Get well soon!

oh man! Feel better!

Bummer that you’re sick :(
Rest & feel better soon!

I trust good tea will make you feel better, hopefully…

Sorry you’re sick! Feel better soon!

Oh geez, that’s rough. I hope the sleep helped you get over the worst of it.

Not wanting to drink any tea is the definition of feeling rotten! Hope you feel better.

apparently it’s going around and seems to last a day of just sleeping, feeling icky. weird. my other half says it’s going around his work too.

I loved this tea!! Is the shipping to Canada reasonable??

whatshesaid….no :( sorry to get your hopes up. I was just going to try and order through my tea mule. No idea what shipping would be for ME to ship it from here to there for you, but if you wanted to see if it was worth it, i could add it to my order and send it your way or something… I’m sure we could figure something out.

Sil, are you feeling better today? :)

yeah…seems like it was a day? thing? everyone who’s gotten it has gone through that. it was weird. just been too busy at work to post actual tasting notes lol

Sometimes I wonder if I’d be a Slytherin or a Ravenclaw, because Harry Potter is serious business. This tea sounds amazing, I can’t believe I didn’t get it!

Aww man, now you make me want it! I was worried about the licorice, but I have to try it. Too bad it’s sold out :(

I was placed in Griffindor on Pottermore: http://www.pottermore.com/

Yeah… I’m a nerd.

aw man, I really want this more and more with each great review!

Rumour has it he’ll be blending more in the coming weeks my friends!

And LiberTEAS – are you totally a Gryffindor! Shout proud! :D

Alphakitty – you could always be sorted on Pottermore – solve the mystery once and for all! ;)

Slytherins!! Boooo! :P

I feel I will be sorted into Hufflepuff. But I can’t figure out how to get sorted!

Butterschnapps?? What a glorious idea! That’s EXACTLY what this tea needs…off to the store

Aw Barb you would so be in Hufflepuff! And that would be AWESOME!

Terri – I ordered this one this morning:
http://yunnansourcing.com/en/qin-zhou-pottery/3019-qin-zhou-teapot-engraved-leaves-180ml.html

Who meeeeee? Lookie here… I asked YOU for a link for teaware. I can’t help it that you kept on going :p

MzPriss, the pot is gorgeous. I keep saying myself I don’t need it(. The only excuse I need 100ml or smaller)

MzPriss, that’s my favorite one from their new collection. SO jealous!

Priss, that is Beautiful!
I ordered this one, which I’ve been drooling over for weeks
http://camellia-sinensis.com/en/teapot/theiere-de-mme-sheng-sg-26
Sars ;)

Both of your new teapots are so lovely! Eeeee!!! Teawares!!

OMG!!! Those are both BEAUTIFUL!!!!

And the one Terri got also comes in a round, fat – pumpkin style… whimper…
http://camellia-sinensis.com/en/teapot/theiere-de-mme-sheng-sg-1

Yeah, that roundish one is really cute too. I picked mine cuz I like the simple designs on the lid, & I already have several round teapots, so I liked the different shape.

Terri, I saw that pot few weeks ago. Gorgeous !

mustnotstartbuyingteawaremustnotstartbuyingteaware

:)

Those tea pots are all so cute!

OMG those black pots. * Restrains self *

I know priss…I know!

Terri, if you have an overabundance of this tea and don’t want it all the badly, I will buy it from you…it’s my favorite tea ever I think. lol

Brendan…maybe we’ll do a trade?

I like that idea! :) I’ll send you a message!

How much tea per oz water did you use?

This sounds like a terrific tea. But wow, expensive. I’ve been enjoying a bamboo puerh from Norbu that is a very lovely sheng friendly to puerh beginners, and is not so expensive, although without a comparative tasting, can’t say whether it is the equal of this one.

I’ve paid a dollar per gram and more for shaded greens, so 72 cents per doesn’t rattle me too hard. I don’t buy teas at this price range all the time, but it is nice to have something like this once in a while as a treat. The nice thing is, it isn’t like pu-er is going to go stale on you, right? The most I ever spent on a tea was in a restaurant near Chicago where I got 5 grams of a 1978 pu-er which ran me something like $25. For my 35th birthday, not something I’m likely to repeat.

The company recommends 250ml of water → 1 teaspoon of leaf. I, frankly, eye balled it. 250ml is in the ball part of 8 and a half ounces of water. In other words, a LOT of leaf for a small amount of water.

That is the joy of puerh. The only problem I’ve really had with it is that, when bought by the beeng or brick, if I end up not loving a particular tea, it takes up space, in hopes that it may age to something more interesting!

I too have paid more than this for various teas, but not for puerh (yet!). But though I know the difference between sheng and shu, and have figured out how to enjoy a few pus that require a lot of attention tot he brewing, I’m still really a pu newbie.

The two I got from C.S. made me realize that the one I have from Rishi is actually kind of terrible and that I need to go back to the ones from Upton as my default, reasonably priced, pu-er.

If you’re really looking to get into sheng puerh, and you should, I can recommend Norbu and Yunnan sourcing as having a range of very good but inexpensive puerh. While I haven’t ordered anything ever from Upton myself, so can’t directly comment on the quality of their offerings, the emphasis on small conveniently packaged stuff is not a good indicator.

teaddict- I know the suggestion wasn’t meant for me, but I’ll use it as well. Thank you! I have limited experience w/ UTI but I don’t think packaging (unless ill packaged) predicts quality.

My reference to convenient packaging is in reference to the small tuo cha, the one-cup sized pieces of puerh, which have a reputation for more convenience than quality on the whole, both because cheaper material tends to be used to make them, but also more fundamentally because aging is different in a smaller bulk item than a typical beeng or brick.

And if a larger beeng or brick has been neatly cut up into uniform sized pieces, the cutting is breaking up the leaves, and broken leaves don’t help the quality of your brew. When you’re getting a sample of a beeng from a puerh specialty retailer, they should be breaking them up more in the plane the leaves naturally will separate in, as you should be doing when breaking up beengs at home.

I saw listings for both things on the upton site.

The pu-erh I love from Upton is loose, not packed into tuo cha.

That’s a different story, for sure!

This one:

http://uptontea.com/shopcart/item.asp?from=catalog.asp&itemID=ZH60&begin=0&parent=Teas%3EPu-Erh%3EChina&category=Pu-Erh&sortMethod=0&categoryID=62

Holy steeping parameters, that’s quite a bit different than my method lol:)

I actually have been known to steep that one (from Upton) for upwards of 30 minutes.

Wow… I actually fell off the couch when I read that one!=P

This occurred the first time by accident because I was at work, and forgot about it. Upon discovering that not only was it not ruined, but that it tasted good, I ran with it afterward. Usually what I end up doing is steeping it that long and then cutting it by half with hot water for each cup.

I have taken some of my mellower shu puerhs and abused them by tossing them in a thermos, adding hot water, and running off to work/meeting/conference and drinking all day. It takes a mellow tea to stand up to that. Still, 30 minutes steeping is pretty radical to me too.

I’d get very thirsty waiting 30 minutes for my tea on most occasions, however!

I do that often with the tuo cha pu-erh I have. I just throw a nest in my travel mug and steep it in there all day. Sometimes I even use two nests because I like my tea strong. Pu-erhs really can be steeped indefinitely!

Stephanie, ALL DAY?!?! Gosh… I was so turned off by a 5 min steep (of shu, not sheng) I can’t even fathom that…

As a side note, the tuo cha I mentioned in the steeping notes, above, for this 2002 Naka Lahu is not one of those little 1, 2 or 5 gram things. You can’t really get the scale looking at the photo they included on the website, but that’s a big tube of bamboo that has been packed solid with tea leaves. This is not a “convenience” tuo cha.

Also, maybe my thinking it twisted, but based on my experiences so far, I’d be more likely to long steep a shou than a sheng. Although, the more I drink these teas, the shorter the steeps seem to get. When I worked in an office, starting a pot of tea was a huge hassle and so I tried to do it as infrequently as possible. Which meant making big pots. Since I now work from home, making small pots and doing a lot of re-steeping is a lot more tenable.

But in the end, a shou that has been steeping 5 minutes or more basically comes out like coffee, except without all that acidic bite to it. Dark, rich, complex, mellow. But I’m learning to enjoy the shorter steeps to find other notes.

The bamboo puerh would not be called a tuo cha, generally those ahe the little mushroom-cap shaped 1 cup serving worth compressed and aged in that form. The bamboo stuff is aged in a larger shape, with the bamboo serving to moderate oxidation and flavor it as it ages, very different than the nuggets of typical tuo cha.

I’ve occasionally heard the larger pucks (bing) referred to as tuo cha, as well, but I suppose the bamboo style is neither a bird’s nest nor a brick.

Exactly. The bamboo walls moderate the aging differently than if it were just shaped into a cylinder and left open.

Yes, of course. I only even brought it up because I wasn’t sure if you first brought up avoiding tuo cha because I’d mentioned (incorrectly) that this 2002 Naka Lahu came in one.

Upton does sell 1g, 2g and 5g tuo cha as far as I remember, but the Celestial Tribute that I like so much comes loose.

This Naka comes broken out of the shaft, but still mostly clumped into big pieces, which is why I needed to rinse it before steeping it.

“which is why I needed to rinse it before steeping it”… aren’t all pu erhs rinsed?

I have gone on the record in several threads here asserting that I believe the whole rinsing thing, for leaves which are already loose, is a tradition, not a function. I have had several extensive conversations with people who insist on rinsing and the only functions I have heard referenced are

1) opening up the leaves ~ which if you just steep longer happens either way
2) “dust” ~ which is just confusing
3) not rinsing makes me puke ~ I really didn’t even know what to make of that

Upshot, I never rinse pu-erhs to no ill effect that I am aware of. That’s why I specifically mentioned rinsing this one, since on-going readers will know I don’t usually do that, but I didn’t want to over-steep a sheng, since I wasn’t sure if they held up to long steeping times the way shou seem to.

I personally can’t stomach long steeping times for shu (even w/ short steeping times I’m not a fan of shu) so I’m not sure I’d want to try w/ a sheng. Personally lots leaf, a rinse, and short steeping times are the only parameters that work for me w/ pu erh and now that I know that I’m not sure I want to deviate and risk ruining good tea. Things like that scare me lol.

shrug

I’m reading “All the Tea in China” and one thing that stands out is that traditionally all tea was rinsed. “The first cup is for your enemies” was how the saying goes……all tea is handled repeatedly and probably needs a little rinse.

There is an interesting theme Ive come across in several lists and forums: “what have you found in your puerh?” And hair, insect parts, & more are described. But rinsing doesn’t remove them. And though the compression of puerh may make such things a little harder to see, but other teas are equally natural products.

I do mostly rinse my pu.

I’m pouring boiling water on it and leaving it to sit in that heat for moments at a time. Pathogens are dead. Bio-mass may be “icky” but once it has been boiled, it isn’t going to do you any harm. At least, no harm that “rinsing” is going to solve.

As far as I’m concerned, 9 times out of 10, rinsing tea just wastes some of the best solubles down the drain.

The Chinese have a LOT of traditions that have nothing to do with anything practical and everything to do with appearing to be practical. So far, no one’s been able to offer me any evidence that rinsing tea is all that practical.

Also, with young shengs, sometimes they need that rinse to let some of the bitterest compounds out before starting to drink the infusions. I had to do this recently with the Lao Ban Zhang loose puerh I discussed here a few days ago.

Odd. Usually bitter compounds come out of teas last, not first. This is why over-steeping ruins most teas.

So sorry for your loss Bonnie. Your friend sounds like a wonderful person xx

So sorry to hear about your loss. She sounds like a wonderful person and that the world will be a little less better without her.

Bonnie, So sorry for your loss.

Sorry to hear about your loss.

I’ll forward your kind comments to my grandchildren and daughter too. Thank you.

What a legacy! She sounds amazing. I know you and your family will miss her.

Memory Eternal indeed Bonnie – her spirit inspires countless others to change the world like she has, it’s so clear! <3

It sounds like your Terry lived an amazing, amazing life. I’m sorry that it was cut short, and am sending peace and strength your way.

I’m sorry to hear about your friend Bonnie :( And no, I don’t think the post was inappropriate at all! To be honest, my stomach is upset, so I’m going to brew up a little Laoshan chai, and see if that helps at all, and will do so in honor of your departed friend.

sorry to hear about your loss :( your post was not inappropriate for me steepster is more than just a tea site it’s a community if we can’t talk about that kind of stuff in our community then where can we ?

Tea, Life, Gratitude for who i have in my life and sometimes take for granted because we never know what tomorrow will be

A ginger tea for you and for the memory of your friend and all her family

so sorry to hear your loss and I hope your family can heal knowing you all were made greater by her presence in your lives….my her love live on in you…my very best

Thank you everyone. 500 people attended her funeral yesterday in the redwoods at St. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, Ben Lomond, CA which is saying a lot for a humble woman who wore thrift store clothes and cared for others before herself.

My condolences for your loss.

so sorry to hear about your loss Bonnie.

Wait, your love of shou’s?! When did this happen?! :D

Like yesterday, Brenden. Keep up, will ya! :p

Hehehe, always! :)

Paging Dr. Sheng…

I’ve been told it’s okay to love both sheng and shou.

^This is the truth. ;-)

But don’t tell sheng that! :D

A mix between the two is easy to do. A little sheng and toss in some shou will make for a happy you. What can I do as it is always true. A sheng a shou it’s all some puuuu….A small Haiku…..for you…

I like shou, but mostly by default.

Lol, this thread was very funnney! And yay for shou love and happiness sarsy <3

My name is Dr. Sheng. Please make a note of it, Fairycakes :p

Me? Love Sheng AND Shou? It just seems so… wrong! LOL

Really, mrmo? Do you mix them for real? I love your poem. :)

You name is Dr Sheng? My gastroenterologist name is Dr Shou, but when asked he didn’t know anything about the health benefits of Shou puerh. True story.

No way, Allan!!!! Shouldn’t a gastroenterologist know all about shou???? Especially one NAMED Dr. Shou?

Apparently not. But that is really his name.

So I’m trying Temple Stairs for the first time, and I think I agree with your method, Sarsonator. I dumped the first two, and started with the third, and dumped that about a third of the way through. The fourth was much better for me. Lesson learned.

I think it just depends on the shou, Cheri. Some do great with one rinse and some seem to have more of a fermentation flavor (as AllanK calls it) to get past. Glad it worked out for you :)

I agree, it is an art. If it is to be a great tea. I mean, if some blender wants to throw a bunch of stuff together without much care, then sure, in that case, it’s not an art. But truly good tea, no…truly fantastic tea, is blended with care, and is sincerely an art.

Plunkybug-I agree! :)

There are companies that have wonderful tea but they just don’t really blend well. It’s a different talent.

That is the first thing that came to mind when i had it. What an amazing blend. This is a first for me to hear that mixing was a taboo. well i will surely continue steeping the mixed flavors . Cheers !

Stacy, come back. We miss you and your teas and your passion for the craft.

Seconded!

A motion has been put on the table. All in favor?

Aye!

I sure miss Butiki. Sipped Three Friends today… almost gone! STILL DELICIOUS.

I am smiling right now after reading your review. I just got my order from Butiki yesterday (I am a 1st time customer). I am loving their Mi Xian black today, but when I read your notes, I was thinking, oh no, I need this one too! Then I checked my package and there was a sample of Premium Taiwanese Assam! I had forgotten that Stacy had suggested it. So I am very excited. I have mostly had Chinese blacks, so I’m really looking forward to trying a good Assam. My 1st experience with this company has been excellent. I spoke with Stacy and she was so helpful with her suggestions. I have a feeling I will be ordering a lot from this company.

Donna so glad you’re having a good experience with butiki. Stacy really is awesome :)
…as are her teas ;)

Yay Stacy is so awesome! So is her tea! I LOVE this one!

good one

What a fun project, Bonnie! It just proves that there is always another adventure to be had!

awesome! that’s pretty fun :) someday i’ll be as adventurous as you, but until then…living vicariously through you works too!

LOL when I saw your title, this is what I immediately thought of (scroll down for the video). Then I realized you meant smoking it like a lapsang!! haha
http://youtu.be/eSLLqxuG0s4

Sounds yummy! :) I’ve smoked my own tea as well. If you’re interested in some tips, message me. I’ve got a few different methods that work pretty well.

I love that you are so experimental with your teas!

hm, how did it turn out Bonnie? :)

like that vid, indigobloom ^^

Okay, that’s crazy neat, Bonnie. I look forward to reading how further batches turn out.

Ooh…thanks for the reminder that I haven’t tried my sample of this yet.

nina’s paris is one of two companies where caramel even registers with me…. the rest i can’t detect at all. this blend was so very well done!

I was enamored with the sense of being transported by the tea to the Orient Express for some reason. Nina’s reminds me of elegance…brocades velvet, polished wood, leather, perfume, plumes and jewels. Bowls of fruit, flowers and silver samovars.

Yum. Bonnie, you’ve missed your calling—you should be writing Victorian novels!

Well, my grandmother was born in San Francisco in 1883. (Not great-grandmother). My mom singing Opera when I was young had some effect on my being a dreamer and a string of exotic travelers in need of lodging in the 1950’s…friends of my linguist Aunt. In other words, I’m old.

Suddenly I’m craving Agatha Christie :)

Haha! I still remember dancing with my grandfather at the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill in S.F. on my 13th birthday…1961. A scene out of Mad Men, evening gowns and furs.

Jaaaammmmmmeeeeessss! How much do I have to pay you/what combination of favours would let me snag a teeny teeny sample of this from you? Feel free to say "there’s nothing you can do, keychange, and I’ll politely eff off.

lol, you’re already going to be getting some. no begging required (though it is amusing) =0)

THIS ONE SOUNDS SO GOOD!!

hey! how are you feeling?

not so good!

oh no, pm me!

You are a kind person!

He loves me more than you! Hahahah!

I adore this tea. I plan to give it to my future son-in-law as a wedding gift soon, as it is precisely the flavor profile he likes, and the name is perfect! It reminds me of a tea he and my daughter bought for me when they were in Budapest. It is exquisite.

thanks 4 the big up James :)
but you know the French tea houses were NOT frequently parfumeries (I think Nina’s is the only one – and I may be wrong but this is probably more a question of new business acquisition rather than an historical link – up to Laurent to tell us)

I love almond teas, but I’m kinda scared to try it because all I think when I see this tea is “soggy cookie”. I’m hoping I’ll get this as a gift or tea swap cuz I’m not brave enough to risk money on this one.

It sounds glorious! I’m all for teas that replace candy or cookies in my life.

I could see that if it tasted like cookie in the liquid itself, but because it’s in the aftertaste it didn’t really leave that kind of impression on me. Still, to each their own. Maybe it will find its way to you.

@Carolyn Seriously. We should coin the Tea Diet and write one of those self-help books.

@takgoti Titles

“Better Living Through Tea”
“Drink Yourself Silly (and Thin)”
“The Tea Wrecks Diet” (Hmmm. That title may need work)

Seriously, I think there is a diet predicated on replacing sweets with teas. Dr. Tea does it and he looks very cute in his little lab coat with embroidered name tag.

Haha, I’ve definitely skipped desert because my tea was enough to satisfy the urge. Too bad the holiday season is gonna ruin that, but oh well! The more cake and pies the better.

@Carolyn- I LOVE the Ultimate Tea Diet:)

@Carolyn Hee! “Tea Wrecks Your Diet”? That doesn’t work either…

@teafiend For serious. If I ever find a tea that can replace homemade apple pie and whipped cream, THAT will truly be a miracle tea.

Yay! Glad you liked! It’s seriously one of my favorites.
Now I’m in the mood for a dessert tea.

This post is hilarious. The Chariots of Fire reference was classic, takgoti! And the tea sounds delicious. Too bad I need to gain weight, or else this tea diet would be ridiculously awesome.

I raise you a NOM: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/Kac9jxGkbe4/SWnxDThm6I/AAAAAAAAASw/aLapUNF-LU8/s400/nom-nom-nom.jpg

@teaplz: SO. CUTE. I might seriously be going into sugar shock from that.

@teaplz SQUEEEEeeeeEEEEEEE! That’s totally my new phone background. But still, I’m calling your bet.
http://laughingsquid.com/kitteh-om-nom-nom/

@teaplz, I literally just squealed. Have you’ll seen the “nom song”?
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1905730

AHHH! Cuteness overload! Ohemgee, guys. These are adorable. I have to throw down my all-time favorite, then:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/SinderellaxD/cuteoverload.jpg

@teafiend OH MY GOD.

@teaplz I’ve seen that on icanhascheezburger with the “I can has potayto chip?” caption! I LOVE THAT PICTURE.

BAM.
http://icanhascheezburger.com/2008/04/02/funny-pictures-ull-poop-rainbows-next-time/

AND BAM.
http://icanhascheezburger.com/2007/01/11/you-make-bunny-cry/

That’s it. I’m done. This is getting ridiculous. And my head is already imploding.

I think this may be the first time I’ve seen a cuteness duel. How do we judge a winner? Is it the last one left standing before the diabetic coma induced by all that sweetness forces her to succumb?

The nom nom song pretty much put me on a sugar high.

And takgoti’s one-two punch has me dazed! So I’ll exit on a high!

PEW PEW:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/SinderellaxD/cute-1.jpg

KABLAM:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/SinderellaxD/loveit.jpg

My brain has been killed with cuteness. LOVE the little feet in teaplz’s ‘pew pew’ sound effect linky.

LOL takgoti I would be willing to send you a sample of the keemun mao fang treasure. Send me a PM. By the way it is amazing and I am crazing some right now!!!

LOL, this thread is epic!

(Plus I really NEED to buy some of that tea drools on Takgoti) XD

http://icanhascheezburger.com/2009/11/26/funny-pictures-stuff-with-noms/

I bought this because your review made my mouth water, it’s supposed to arrive today and I can’t wait!!!!

Takogti really needs to make commission off of all the teas she makes us buy through her tasting notes. :)

what is a nom? and why is it being repeated so many times?

hongkongmilktea- it’s a word to simulate very happy chewing. Yummy, Yummy, Yummy is the same thing:)

Tiff – resistance to WP is futile. And dang! Why haven’t I tried this?

“Have I been missing out on another really good type of tea?”
I’m a very big Keemun fan! My most recent Keemun stash order was for 1 kg and it only lasted about 6 months!

looseTman – What is your description of the defining taste of a keenum?

1 kg, that is a lot of keenum!

MzPriss – order is in progress…..

I’m a huge Keemun fan as well. looseTman – what kind was it that you bought so much of?

Order placed.

“Prepare to be assimilated. Resistance is futile.”

Tiff – I wish I had ordered some of this now. But I did a huge one and it’s on it’s way. I’m drinking some North Winds now.

TeaTiff & MzPriss: steepster.com/looseTman/posts/166936

@MzPriss: I ordered a sample of this with my order that should arrive on Saturday. I’d be happy to split the sample with you if you’d like to try it.

Oh mj that is so very sweet! I think I probably need a little sample order from WP anyway. But I appreciate the offer very very much.

@looseTman thanks I will check it out

TeaTiff, you should explore Keemuns. There are some lower grade ones that smell like someone just hit you in the face with a dirt clod, and then are are extraordinarily delicate keemuns that speak of old and sacred places in their complexity. I have reviewed quite a few if you peruse my tealog…. they are one of my favorite teas.

I just was saying that I think I need to try this one. I’m not a huge black tea fan, but everyone’s amazing reviews just make me want to taste it. I’ll probably get another sampler pack from WP at some point, and this one will be in it.

Keemun is my comfort tea :)

Lol, teaTiff, now that I’ve read this review, I’m thinking exactly what MzPriss said: Why have I overlooked this one? Not a big deal though, was just thinking about what was going to be my next big reason to place another order. Now I know :-)

MizPriss if you are not able to secure a sample I can send a long some since this did get included in the order.

looseTman – I actually own a bit of this tea. I had forgotten about it as at the time Keenum wasn’t on my radar. I am going to go back and revisit this one along side the WP.

donkeytiara – I started looking through your log and I had to stop:) They are all sounding so good!

Cheri – I would actually be interested in learning which black teas you have enjoyed? I have seen from your log that you are mostly oolong and white.

WP – I am very impressed by all the teas I have tried and look forward to the order arriving. This one was a very comforting tea, nothing too fancy that I felt like I had to devote a ton of time, just yummy and relaxing.

TTF – So which teas from WP have you not had yet?

I have a passionate love for good Keemun. But there is plenty of lesser Keemun out there and I’m having to wade through it to get to the good ones. I really like one from The Steeping Room. I have a bunch of samples I need to try.

TeaTiff – Yes, you’re right, mostly oolongs, whites and greens. Not a lot of blacks, and those I’ve had are flavored for the most part. I’d like to find blacks I like, but I haven’t yet found anything that really stands out.

TeaTiff, I look forward to your comparison especially since I’ve not yet had the pleasure of WP’s Pine Peak Keemun.

Sigh. Having issues posting my review to the Red Leaf site. Any suggestions?

Also, what’s the proportion, or the ‘scoop’ that Red Leaf talks about? Anyone know? There was no scoop in my order.

I usually use 1/2 tsp for about an 8 oz mug – that was a suggestion from my roommate and it usually tastes pretty good. However, I think that is way off from what you are actually supposed to use.

It is my opinion they are referring to matcha scoops. As opposed to a normal size tea scoop. Shops who sell matcha also sell special matcha scoops which make it easier to measure the right amount.

Do you mean the matcha spoon? The curved wood or bamboo stick – looking thing?

I feel like my proportions are so off… if I go here http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-recipes-en/cold-matcha-latte.html it says 1 tbsp for 22 oz of liquid.

Sigh, and the hot version says 12 oz. I think I’ll try 12 tomorrow.

1 tbsp? I usually use 1/2 to 1 tsp for 16oz, and find it plenty. I think I had the robust pineapple though. Or maybe distinctive.

Okay. So my proportions really are off then. Or maybe I should just order distinctive/robust in the future!

I just use 1/2-1 tsp in 16oz because that’s what I use of plain matcha. If you like the caffeine hit, then definitely use more! :) Robust is too much, in my opinion. It can get a bit chemical tasting, depending on the flavour.

I have the caramel matchaccino, and using a scoop (it’s just about 2 tbsp I think) of it in 16oz is too much for me. When I ordered, I don’t think I had the option of choosing “delicate”.

D’oh! I have the COCONUT matchaccino.

I’m going to try Dexter’s sample that she sent me of tropical tomorrow, and maybe some caramel macchachino. Ah, good to know about the robust.

If you like coconut, I can share mine too. I have 2 cups of the powder still. O.o

Holy moly! Love to try it. I’ve got about that of the caramel macchachino, and then smaller sizes of matcha pineapple, bavarian cream, caramel, cheesecake, with another seven flavors on their way. :$

Oh, you got sucked in! :) I’ll add some to your bag. Do you have any fruity flavours coming? I think that’s mostly what I’m interested in at least sniffing. The Bavarian Cream I thought was best as a mixer, to make fruity ice creamy smoothies (with a frozen banana and almond milk usually).

All creamy -type stuff (english toffee, irish cream, etc.) unfortunately.

Oh well! CrowKettle is sharing some more (potentially weird) fruity flavours when we next see each other.

Hmmm…I am enjoying investigating everyone else’s customs.
I have not enjoyed it with plain water.
What I have found I enjoy the most so far…
2 bamboo scoops of matcha in 10 oz whole milk with a packet of stevia…
mmmmm….I just had 2 glasses after church and I am sure I am becoming addicted.
Do you like it hot?
I cannot do coconut
milk as it seems thin and watery?

I need to order more:
Eggnog, Pineapple, White Chocolate & Cheesecake…
Why is this soooo addictive?
Do you think the supposed health benefits are as strong and real as touted?

hmm. me thinks I should try this!

I would definitely recommend it. I think it’s the strongest and nicest blueberry tea I have tried yet. :)

2nded! Best blueberry. :D

i didn’t like this one, but maybe it was my experience at davids. ie how they brewed it.

Usually I brew my teas strong (2-3tsp per pot which holds 2.5 cups). For this one I only had a small sample of 1.5-2tsp max so I really wasn’t expecting much flavour but it was beautiful. Perhaps if I used double the amount like I usually would it would cause the black tea to be too strong? Like you said it could be the way they made it.

I wholly agree with Ozli & Kitty. Out of the 3 blueberry teas I’ve tried… this one is by far the best! It has the strongest blueberry flavor, whereas others seem to just have hints of it :)

This one is hit or miss… I think it’s the stevia that causes problems. I had one amazing batch of it, and then my second batch makes me gag. :(

i really like black-n-blue from uh…seredipitea. Used it to make blueberry infused vodka and it was amazing.

ewww, I’m not a fan of stevia

I love this one.. I think I have a cup left…

I did not get a whole lot of blueberry. Wtf ? I must have done something…

Does it work as a cold brew?

nxtdoor….not necessarily lol i don’t like this one either so different strokes for different folks :)

Omg. Lariel’s a genius. Cold brew!! I’m gonna try

The green oolongs are less oxidized. The darker ones are usually “roasted” one way or another. Why heat at all? If you cut up an apple, it turns brown pretty fast, it oxidizes. If you bake that apple, it doesn’t. The heat arrests the oxidation. Same with tea. Leaves are bruised or withered, and oxidized. How much oxidation and processing determines, more or less in order, whether it is white, yellow, green, green oolong, dark oolong, or black. I am not that smart, I stole this from somewhere that I read it, don’t remember where now! Correct me, everyone, if I got something wrong!

You will definitely want to look for something that is more oxidized. Our 2003 Reserve Four Season Oolong was oxidized between 20-30%.

So anything that says lightly oxidized, is something that you will want to stay away from.

I don’t know ashmanra but I do love this tea. :)
Happy Anniversary! Tomorrow is my 6 months anny!

Oh yeah and happy Steepsterversary!!!

Charcoal dark roast dong ding’s or tieguanyin’s all the way! They tend to turn to fruity and roasty, instead of flowery and perfumey :) I’ll be doing tasting notes again around the middle of October, not enough time now :( Hopefully you will zero in on your own optimal flavor profile, tunes! Happy cupping :)

Happy one month! Love that you include music notes!

Happy one month anniversary!

Happy one month, hope you stay around!

Yay! Happy Month!!! :)

really love the map

Great review, great map!

Lengthily and not hurried along!

Thank you, all. I’m growing fond of the map myself as well.

lol – erotic cider!

The more I hear about this tea the more I want it!

THIS TEA IS AMAZE.

TOTALLY AMAZE. I’m so happy VariaTEA was able to spare a little sample when we did our swap!

Oh, this is also much better than Harney & Son’s Tokyo blend. I had that in my head as a similar one, but it’s really not.

I know what you mean. As it cooled, it reminded me more of Tokyo, but with that awesome creaminess it has. Omg I must have more ASAP. I hid the rest of my sample away in my drawer in hopes that I’ll forget it haha.

OMG, I want to try this! Caramel and nutty! It sounds amazing.

ZOMG me too.

HAHAHAHA. This was THE moment I was waiting for (anytime anyone tries this tea it is THE moment!). I am sooooooooo insanely happy that this is getting as much love as it deserves. I swear it must seem like I get a kick back when it comes to this tea because I push it so hard but it is THAT good and needs to be tried.

Hahah. You probably SHOULD get a commission or free samples or something with all the traffic you are sending to their site!

Haha well they have given me free samples but that has more to do with their business practice than me and my recommendations

You raised very good question, it’s better later than never;)
And you should attach a pic of pot to you tea, pls pls pls

WOOOOO! I’m going to make a Special Dark pot too now that you’ve said this!

This is the pot that’s soaking in Special Dark right now…..
http://s1308.photobucket.com/user/Dexter3657/media/SpecialDarkPot1_zps46ba2ef9.jpg.html?sort=2&o=36
http://s1308.photobucket.com/user/Dexter3657/media/SpecialDarkPot2_zps33e51dea.jpg.html?sort=2&o=37

I love it. Good paring!

That is an ADRABLE pot Dexter!! I <3 it

It’s significantly bigger than my other ones, but that’s good for Special Dark, I like it steeped longer (more western style) so the bigger pot just makes sense to me…

SO PRETTY

YES! I’m going to use my new Mandala pot for SD because its a little bigger as well and I steep the hell out of SD

I have enjoyed the special dark, and I’m always looking for a excuse to buy new tea ware, but I’m wondering why SD would need a separate pot. Keep in mind that I’m new to pu’erhs in general, so I probably ask lots of silly questions!

It tastes different from most shous. More chocolaty and I think it’s missing that “leathery” bit in most other shous

Sars there are no silly questions – only curious minds….
SD I guess doesn’t NEED a separate pot(I think most people would be perfectly happy using their shou pot for Special Dark.
Then why did I do this? Well I LOVE Special Dark and I think it deserves it’s own pot. I steep it different than I would a “normal” shou (not that that means it needs a different pot) I like it steeped for a LONG time – 8-10 minutes. The long steep time makes me think that it would really leave quite a bit of flavor in the pot. Special Dark is really chocolaty and I’m not sure I want that chocolate flavor left in my normal “shou” pot.
If you short steep Special Dark Gongfu style, and drink it occasionally, and use your shou pot for lots of other shou – I see no problem.
I have an extra pot, and I treat Special Dark – well special, therefore in my world it gets it’s own pot. :))

LOL Now we are back to this “leather” thing. Wonderful Miss Fairy sent me some pu’erh she thought was “leathery” – I don’t get it, I can’t find anything is pu’erh that I think is leather. LOL I don’t get it… I would love to be able to identify what “that” is and what I’m calling it….
But yes, Special Dark is less earthy, musty, subterranean than most shou pu’erh.

Thanks for the info!!! Very interesting. I’ll just tuck this info away for later. Someday I’ll have no reason to buy new tea ware, and I’ll remember this conversation. :p

Great job Dexter :-)
(and Leather, would you leave my friend Dexter alone please? Not her fault but doesn’t “get” you, so stop teasing her and come play in my cup where you belong!!)

:)) I’m perfectly happy if leather comes and plays in my cup, I just wish it would pop out, say hi, introduce itself. Right now I just feel like we havn’t met….

Lol, MzPriss, with all the pots you are getting lately, I have no doubt you will season one exclusively for special dark ;-)

WHOA…I’m drinking this now too…CHEERS!

Haha – I just saw that. Yay!

“Gourmet cardboard”…nice! I’m a fan of this tea too, but it’s not perfect. It needs more cowbell.

Hehe! What would cowbell taste like? Bakey? Cardboard? Perhaps it would it taste 5-star worthy if served by Christopher Walken?

Love nod to gourmet cardboard. :) Definitely looking for a 5-star Irish Breakfast too! I started out with my Irish Breakfast Twinings bag tea this morning, and wondered were ALL the kick went? Disappointed was an understatement – I think I might double up next time.

@ Auggy – I don’t know what needs to be added but we need to discover it! ANYTHING would be 5-star worthy if served by Christopher Walken.

Hahah – the secret to perfect tea – Christopher Walken!

Where can I order him?

Essence of Christopher Walken Tea. Would we want this?

I don’t get a cardboard taste from maltiness, but yay! I am glad you’ve found that flavor! I find it to be similar to a bitter flavor, but not really bitter. If that makes any sense.

It’s not bad cardboard and probably not like actually eating cardboard but there’s a dryness and a… sturdiness to it that just brings to mind the smell of a cardboard box. Weirdly. I’m guessing that my dry sturdiness is your not bitter but bitter taste. Hehe. I think taste is very hard to describe and translate because associations play into it a lot but it is fun trying!

Why do I think Christopher Walken Tea would smell like Old Spice?

Gourmet cardboard and bake-y…with the potential of cowbell too! I’m sold. Some of the more interesting words I’ve heard used to describe tea, good job :)

We will never let you edit your comments. You will be forever mocked for your poor grammar and lack of proofreading…bwaahahahah (evil laugh)…na, it’s on the list and coming soon. I just can’t stay mad at you :)

@Jason, Yay!!!!

adds ‘gourmet cardboard’ to the file of words that must be used in future tea reviews

Wouldn’t “cowbell” flavor be a term to apply to pu-erhs with their strange leather/compost flavors?

I just want to say I love you guys. And Christopher Walken, but maybe not Christopher Walken tea.

@Carolyn, I was thinking something more… metallic maybe. So maybe leather and metal… and Old Spice. ;)

And bake-y, don’t forget that Auggy. ;D

Bake-y! The Christopher Walken Cowbell Special must be bake-y, leathery and have a hint of metallic taste and the scent of Old Spice.

Sooooo… we’re talking pu-erh here yes? :)

Nah, Auggy, cause then you’d need to throw in FISHY.

takgoti has shared 2 pu-erhs with me (that I have yet to try but will!) and there was no mention of fishy in them. So I hold out hope for pu-erh. And Christopher Walken. :)

(Is it bad that I’m hoping the tea tastes like sweet hay and dirt? This doesn’t seem to be something I should WANT in a tea).

This entire thing makes me laugh.

Christopher Walken is a strange nut. Loved him in the SNL census skit.

Never before has cardboard sounded so delicious! smile

I would definitely be up for that! I’ve heard so many good things about Teavivre but I haven’t tried anything from there yet. I don’t know which teas you’re interested in but I think I’d be willing to trust your judgment. :P

You can buy this one in a 50g bag as well. :)

(I told you before Sil…me think you are slowly leaving Dexter behind and joining forces with me to the “green side”, muahahaha!!!)

cameron – have to wait a while before i can pick up more teas sadly, but i’ll keep you in mind. heh teavivre has some incredible teas, and it seems like i am loving their green teas when it’s their blacks that are one of my go to places.

teafairy! NEVER!!

Don’t forget I have Fairy powers….

Sure thing, I’m in no hurry either so take your time. :)

(green side = scary. It’s nice, warm, safe over here in my “dark” corner. Happy on the dark side….)

(Haha! But Dexter, It’s a lot more fun when you play on both sides!!)

I’m with you guys on the dark side….haha. But so far I’ve actually enjoyed the green tea from Teavivre!

whatshesaid, that’s how the transition starts….

it may sound strange but i started to appreciate green or white teas after trying some good sheng

to be fair i do like green teas, i just don’t crave them like i do black teas…so if i buy too many of them, they end up losing their freshness…which is part of my operation to get to within 6 months of tea purchases…

I think that this is one of the ones I got too. Looing forward to trying the two dragon wells I got.