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I received this as part of an oolong sampler Steepster now offers. This was a pleasant, relaxing tea with faintly sweet character hinting of honey, and simply satisfying. It was great for three steeps. I increased water temperature and steep time just a tad with each subsequent steep, starting slightly lower than recommended.

I received two individual servings in the Steepster black tea sampler.

I steeped according to instructions, and the result was a golden orange liquor with a faintly sweet aroma and a toasted caramel flavor. It was rather pleasant, but more subtle in flavor than I tend to favor. It was also good during one resteep, with similar character as the first. I normally only steep black teas once, but noticed in Steepster’s description that this was suitable for multiple resteeps. I would love to steep it several times to observe how it changes. Unfortunately today wasn’t the day for it, as I was busy being dad.

This was a soothing tea for this sick day. I won’t say much more at this point as I doubt my taste buds likely are not functioning properly.

Note: I’d give this tea a 90 if I was just rating for cold brew/iced tea, but it’s closer to 70 for me hot

I took Stacy’s recommendation and tried this as an iced tea, and it was delicious. I cold steeped the tea, so it took a while to infuse (probably close to 30 min), and still was much lighter in color than if I had brewed it hot. It had a slightly citrus flavor to it, and was thirst quenchingly refreshing.

This is my second sample of Tan Yang Gong Fu from one of Teavivre’s black tea sample packs. Wow, this tea surprised me this time. It has a smooth, sweet taste reminiscent of caramel, with an accompanying satisfying faint aroma. I had a hard time sipping instead of gulping. Very pleasant tea, I’d highly recommend it.

While I’ve had this tea on its own, today I’m drinking a DIY breakfast blend that uses 2/3 Butiki Dinjoye Estate Assam and 1/3 Butiki Organic Ceylon. It provides a malty sweetness and is overall simply refreshing. It is close to many English Breakfast blends I’ve had. I’d recommend giving the blend a try, but also highly recommend the Assam as a standalone (the Ceylon on the other hand is just not my speed, hence the blending…)

This is a great blend. The Darjeeling lends a candy floral sweetness (I also enjoy the Giddapahar Darjeeling as a standalone). The Assam adds a malty backbone for that floral sweetness to stand on, with just a hint of the keemun in the background. It’s very light and refreshing for an English Breakfast blend.

Being fairly new to oolongs I don’t know how this is in comparison to others, but strictly from a tea standpoint, it is fairly unique. I am currently on my third steep, having conducted first steep for 1 minute and second steep for 2, this one got 3, and my next and last for these leaves will get 4. That said, I might start with a 2 minute steep next time or add just a few more leaves for a stronger, more potent brew.

The aroma is a distinct and sweet aroma, like a flower I can’t think of the name of. Magnolia? Hibiscus? I’m terrible with plants, so the right comparison escapes me. The liquor is clear with a light golden hue. The leaves barely opened up on the first steep, and only partially opened up on the second. They’ve finally fully bloomed with the third steep. And finally, the taste is a faint sweet nectar with a slightly roasted character.

I just steeped this too strong. I got this as a sample with another order a while back and finally gave it a shot. I steeped enough for about three cups in the volume of two, so it was a bit stronger than my first time steeping this.

The leaves are a deep green, flat and mostly intact (any that weren’t can likely be attributed to my less than careful handling of the sample). The liquor was a greenish yellow, although it would have been a lighter yellow if I’d had the right amount of leaves for the water. I’d also say The Tea Spot’s own description of sweet and herbacious were right on. I have too many other unique, nuanced greens for this to make my favorites list, but it was a great green tea.