359 Tasting Notes
This tea is still my favorite jasmine tea. I know that Jasmine Dragon Pearls are more popular, but this one wins by a small margin for me.
It’s so sweet, with just the right amount of jasmine. It has none of the soapy perfume taste often found in this type of floral tea.
The green tea never turns bitter and is good for multiple steeps.
After looking at some of Boychik’s pics on Instagram, I’ve decided to start using my fancy antique bone china more often. What is it good for if you don’t use it right?
Well, it actually made my tea taste even better :-)
Pics of this afternoon’s session:
http://instagram.com/p/yVEllcQh48/
This cute little pu square was sent to me by Sarsonator, thank you sweetie.
Quick rinse and first steep is like a pale version of what it should be…i didn’t let it steep long enough, its super compact.
Second steep and…whoa! This doesn’t taste like shou…it tastes like roasted coffee beans!
Very dark and rich, slightly bitter just like a strong black coffee.
Now, I don’t drink a lot of coffee but I enjoy a cup once in a while. And I drink mine black, so this is very reminiscent.
I would say it resemble Special Dark a tad. Certainly as rich and full bodied.
Third steep and it’s still not completely loose, this will render many steeps.
And it provides a pretty intense qi, made my heart beat a little faster and gave me tons of good energy. Really, i see this as a potential regular morning cuppa. I think it would do as good brewed western style cause it doesn’t have a very complex flavor profile. The steeps tasted almost all the same.
I agree with Sarsonator’, a must try to all the coffee lovers out there!
Here’s a look:
I always let these mini’s sit for about 30 minutes after the first rinse. This lets them slowly open up for good brewing.
That’s such a good idea, will sure keep that in mind :-)
Yeah those little ones are so tightly compressed it is hard to get them to open any other way.
Great idea, mrmopar! Dope slapping myself for not thinking of it.
Ashmanra big hands little tuos and small tea picks don’t mix.
These little nuggets are so creamy and sweet.
I so wish I had hoarded them. But they are sold out now sadly :-(
Simple tea, but so comforting and soothing.
The taste is rich and deep, vanilla and raisins mostly.Sweet caramel undertones, but I also get a nice fresh mouthfeel at the end of the sip.
For those who like me are very sad to see it gone, here’s what I think could replace it, though I haven’t tried it yet, but it seems to be the 2013 version.
http://yunnansourcing.com/en/ripepu-erh/2680-yong-de-lao-cha-tou-ripe-pu-erh-tea-nuggets.html
Also, pics of tonight’s session :-)
Maybe if we buy the 2013 and hang on to them for 7 years? Heh
mine disappearing quickly cause i always get 10g at least for 100cc. they are opening slowly and i cant wait. and i like it thick and rich. maybe another session left. i just tried 2014 year Supreme MengHai LangHe 7599 and i MADLY in love. my next order ;)
Boychik, i like it strong too!! Is tgat 2014 you are refering to from YS also?
Yeah, write a tasting note on it for us, boychik! :D
Beautiful teapot. Beautiful setup and pictures.
@TheTeaFairy. it is from ebay or Ali. i will send you a link
Thank you so much Ubacat :-)
Thanks Boychik,, sounds amazing, just send me the ebay link please, I’m not a fan of Ali
check your PM ;)
@ Stephanie. i had it few days ago. i remember it very clean and chocolatey, not bittersweet, more like between milk chocolate and 50% lol if it makes sense. but very clean, clear, no funk even though its 2014. it was discussed recently in this thread sheng or shou of the day. and i have a pic on IG
@ theteafairy sorry for hijacking. @ stephanie and others ;)
http://steepster.com/discuss/5496-pu-erh-of-the-day-sheng-or-shou?post_id=157069#forum_post_157069
Thank you sweet boychik, much appreciated. And no hijacking, just sweet information :-)
YS’s “Cha Tou Sheng Yun” Bricks are the same stuff as this, material from the same exact factory from different years (the 2009 brick is actually made from these exact 2007 nuggets), I have the 2012 brick ( http://yunnansourcing.com/en/2012-yunnan-sourcing-teas/2081-2012-yunnan-sourcing-cha-tou-sheng-yun-ripe-pu-erh-tea-brick.html ) and it’s pretty much exactly the same just a little less aged though good to drink now, same sleep-inducing narcotic qi as these too. The 2013 yongde brick is from a different factory and is blended with loose shu too, I haven’t had it myself yet but supposedly it tastes pretty different.
@ sansnipple, thanks for letting us know. i bought 2007 White Dragon last spring based no your recommendation ;)
oh goodie! Thanks sansnipple!!!
Thanks a lot @sansnipple , will sure add a brick on my next YS order :-)
the 2009 brick with these exact nuggets is still available on the US site too, but sadly it’s price is twice as much as the younger ones.
Ok, ok, I know, I know…I just reviewed this tea a few days ago…but fuck! It’s so good!!!! (Oops, can we say fuck on Steepster? Cause well…um…I just did…sorry :-/ )
Yes…that’s all I have to say. See previous review. Get this. It’s yum.
And yo! I’m having it with the Teaplets this morning, weehee!!!
Tea party, heeeeeey!
As long as you’re not trying to sell services in Jakarta or offer illegal movie streaming, I think you’re okay.
I still need to try this one.
You better be ok, because I swear in my tasting notes all the fucking time ;)
Yeah! Fucking swearing! Wooooo!
hahahah one of the funniest reviews yet xD
@haveteawilltravel: always happy to entertain ;-)
I finally got me some of this, it is fucking awesome!
@Thomas lol, it seems that I’ve started an official curse thread with this review, bless my heart!! I’m so glad you like it, isn’t it amazing?
(Backlog from last night…could not post…steepster was acting out… again…sigh)
This is tea of the night…
I took advantage of Tao Tea Leaf’s 50% off x-mas sale.
I had already tried some of their rock oolongs (their Da Hong Pao is excellent) but had passed on this one.
Boychik reminded me to buy some this time around, so based on her exquisite tastes, I have ordered 100g.
First tasting tonight…
Whoa! This is shockingly good.
Sweet, creamy, nutty, deliciously roasted but not sharp or bitter at all.
It renders a nice mineral mouthfeel as all Wuyi do.
It’s a bit floral, and a little fruity, stone fruits. But mostly, I get big notes of roasted almonds.
Now, I can’t silence the fact that the dry leaves smell like…um….cannabis. You were right about that dear Boychik. Not that I have ever smoked any of course (wink, wink)
Toa Tea Leaf doesn’t disappoint…high quality stuff. This bag will not last very long.
I brewed gongfu and I got several delicious steeps.
Instagram pic:
I love your ship… want to sail away…
Thank you, Its my little thingie copper sail boat :-) We could sail away to a sunny Pacific deserted island for the rest of the winter??
You already got yours? I’m a little jealous mine was just shipped yesterday!
Interesting! Thanks for sharing
So yeah, Mirkwood… I just watched The Hobbit movie for the first time so why not review this tea now.
When I think Mirkwood and Hobbits, I think of course adventures, deep dark forests, and… mushrooms!
But maybe that’s just me… see, I have a thing for mushrooms. I love them…I observe them, I photograph them, I eat them, and with this tea I now drink them more than ever (!!!)
Cause people, mushrooms will you find in this tea. Not any kind of mushies… Da Best!!
Attention, attention: Morel alert!!! YES!!! If you are a bit of a foodie like I am, you know what morels taste like. They are so scrumptious and fancy. They make me drool.
But who could think of adding them to puerh?
Who? Well, a Tea Hobbit of course.
Attention, attention: Puerh alert!!!! YES!!! Ontario 1357 is the base tea!
Brace yourself and prepare for an effective and very warming qi. (Just read some of the Ontario 1357 reviews if you want proof)
But enough bells and whistles…how does it taste, right?
Think creamy and buttery mouthfeel, with woody notes.
This mushroom soup renders a light saltiness. Yes, it’s a little briny, as if a few drops of soy sauce were added to the cup. I know, I know, it sounds weird, but it works! Makes the tea somewhat savory, and combined with the natural sweetness found in 1357, you get full on umami taste! If you’ve had a good asian broth, you know what I mean.
This is very different, fresh, innovative.
I love being taken out of my comfort zone without being too shocked. Cause as surprising as it is, it’s still very comforting. The only shock you will get is how good it is. Yes, it’s shockingly delicious!
P.S. So you’re not a mushroom fan? No worries…morels don’t taste damp and very earthy like most mushrooms do. I promise, there are no residual taste of Hobbit feet in this tea.
Pics of the session:
http://instagram.com/p/xX1kDNQh_F/ (Big chunks of morels!!)
Man, that sounds so fascinating and cool; it’s a shame I’m like super allergic to mushrooms…
Allergic to mushies? Man, that really suck!! :-(
No residual taste of hobbit feet? What’s wrong with hobbit feet?
I have to try this tea now, though. Your review is filled with awesome.
@ThainofBuckland: lol, thank you! And nothing wrong with Hobbit feet, love them, just don’t want their juice in my tea! And yes, you MUST try this blend ;-)
If you think there’s no need to try North Winds cause you’ve already tried Golden Orchid and have it all figured out, well think again!
Yes North Winds is Golden Orchid’s base…but…they are two completely different teas.
And this is the new NW version…Yes, new and improved!
Smooth, rich and malty with no astringency.
When Yunnan meets Fujian, creating the perfect fusion. Pure symbiosis!
This is the tea I want in my cup on a lazy and cozy Sunday afternoon, in front of the fireplace.
Dark chocolate, dried fruits and toasty notes. It’s so warming!
It deserves a lot of love, it is after all Whispering Pines House black tea!
A real “maltfull” of happiness :-)
Pics of the session:
http://instagram.com/p/xP0ZQzQh82/
On CM I purchased 40z. of NW. What are your recommended brewing parameters? Thanks!
that’s 4 oz.
Always enjoy your tea pictures. It’s the full tea experience.
Agreed!
I just placed an order a few days ago – can’t wait :)
Thank you looseTman! For brewing parameters, I’m so sorry I can’t help much… I gongfu and I never measure or count time, i eyeball everything, lol, so sorry!
Ubacat, you are sweet…photography is a hobby that I enjoy a lot with tea ;-)
Lupiressmoon, you will not regret this….in fact, when you buy at WP, not only do you get tea….you also get magic!!!
:) I’m even more excited now, thanks
I’ve tried many different Wuyi oolongs, Da Hong Pao for the most part, but never had Qi Lan.
Thanks to my generous friend boychik, I got to experience it for the first time today.
I was expecting a very similar taste profile…and yes thats what I got to some degree.
Nice mineral mouthfeel, roasty and nutty…I’m a fan!
But…the big difference lies in the extreme sweetness I get from this tea, feels like a sweet nectar!!
A lot sweeter than any rock oolong I have ever had.
People…it’s yummy.
But this type of tea must be prepared gongfu in order to fully appreciate all its characteristics and nuances. (Only in my humble opinion of course)
It’s easier to control this way…rock oolongs tend to turn bitter very easily. But when done properly, they are amazing and so rewarding!
This tea is nothing short of greatness.
I am impressed so far by Joseph Wesley…Integrity always wins at getting my business ;-)
Thank you boychik for introducing me to them, I see an order in my near future!
As usual, pics of the session:
http://instagram.com/p/xPfGSowhxN/
Welcome back! You’ve been missed. Qi Lan’s “sweet nectar!!” – Yum!
Definitely good to see you here again! :D
Thank you so much looseTman and Blodeuyn, that warms my heart, missed you also!
I just returned from a little R&R and noticed your nice review. I’m happy to read that you enjoyed the Qi Lan. Happy new year. Cheers, Joe
Happy new year to you as well Joe, and it was with great pleasure that I reviewed this wonderful tea!
Such a pretty cup!
Thanks Kaylee :-)
Oh, those pics!! SO MUCH GORGEOUS!! :D
Aww, thank you so much DeliriumFrogs, tea is my inspiration :-)
Yes, I love using my grandmother’s tea set that she received as a wedding present in 1919. I save it for special occasions though,and use a vintage tea cup I bought on Ebay for more casual times.
I really need to start using all of my tea ware. What’s the point of having it, if it just sits in a box or the back of the cupboard and I never enjoy it.
It looks so beautiful in that cup. How did you brew it?
Maddy, that must be such a special set!! :-)
Anlina, same here, that’s excactly why I started using mine!
KiwiDelight Thank you! I just brewed it in a simple Gaiwan :-)