I first tasted Tazo China Green Tips in a Starbucks store with rather low expectations (I was trying it out as a free refill), but I was very pleasantly surprised by the brew produced using the sachet of the loose leaf. It tasted fresh and clean and vegetal—rather sencha-like—though I had never encountered such a China green tea before.
I ordered a supply of the loose leaf at the amazing Tazo tea sale in November 2013 at Starbucks online, and I must say that this really is good—provided that one loves sencha! By the light, bright yellow color alone, it becomes clear that this tea must be produced by steaming.
Today’s pot (prepared in a tetsubin) really hit the spot, and I’ll be enjoying this fresh and satisfying tea as a rotating post-lunch green. It’s very solid green offering, and to be honest, I cannot believe the negative reviews. I can only surmise that the reviewers either do not like sencha or did not brew the tea properly. Anyone who appreciates the distinctive quality of sencha will appreciate this variation on the steamed-green tea theme, it seems to me.
Needless to say, it’s important to follow the usual rules for brewing this tea: Do not overheat! Do not overleaf! Do not oversteep! Any of those mistakes will result in a bitter brew and may explain some of the negative reviews.
second infusion: I had this a few hours later, after dinner. Same color, a slightly lighter taste. Still good.
I learned over the course of the day that the tea is Mao Feng. China Green Tips was my first experience, then, with Mao Feng!
third infusion: still thirsty, but afraid to whip up any new green brew, with sleep (hopefully) on the horizon, so I gave this another try. Thirst quenching and still colorful. Lighter flavor still. This will be the end of this pot, I swear!
