Chicago Tea Garden

trying this tea for the first time. I’m fairly new to Pu-erh so i wasn’t sure how long to brew it. Ended up washing the leaves, then brewing it for as long as it took to stop by 14 month old from eating food out of the cat’s dish. resulting brew was slightly smokey, and has the leathery taste I’ve been encountering with the few Pu-erh’s I’ve had. similar to tobacco, or a chinese herb shop. a very subtle hint of sweetness. Didn’t notice the chrysanthemum at all.

Thank you to Paul for sending me one of these cakes to try. I have actually had it for some time now, and I apologize to Paul for not trying it sooner – it wasn’t because I didn’t appreciate it, because I do! I must admit though, I was intimidated to try it. I generally get that way with most Pu-erh. But… none more than one called “Camel’s Breath”

Very brine-y, earthy aroma and that does translate into the flavor, although I am finding that the flavor is considerably more mild than the aroma – at least it is after a very short steep. It is mellow and sweet, with a very smooth character. A somewhat savory note in the distance. Almost like it beckons me to add a grain of salt or two to bring that out… A very intriguing tea to say the least.

Before I rate it and write a longer review for SororiTea Sisters, though, I will put it through a few more infusions and see what comes of it.

Thanks again Paul! Let this be a lesson (for me, if for nobody else) – don’t let the name of a tea influence you from experiencing it.

I had this after my almost daily cup of coffee. Yes, coffee just one cup though. Nevertheless, as for teas this one started my day. I was lucky to first sample this goodie at Tony’s Tea Tasting at the Chicago Tea Garden and since I enjoyed it I picked some of it up on my way out along with others in his delicious tea arsenal.

I found this one to be bold and smooth, a little smokey and toasty. It was a delicious cup, especially in the morning.

Jason: “Butt tea”

Brewed in Yixing Pot

I love this one. Clean and simple tasting like the Zealong Pure, but with a little bit of roasty goodness. Never got bitter or astringent (you know I have a tendency to oversteep, I think I like things dark). And still held that sweetness that was in the Zealong Pure, a kind of oolongy sweetness.

This tea clears the mind, like the Pure, and puts a smile on your face. I think between this and the Pure, I would use the Pure for relaxing days and the Dark for I want to relax but I have some things to do days.

Wasn’t sold on the idea of a tea from New Zealand until I saw the rave reviews this was getting, so I finally sprung for it.

Gong fu in a 5-ounce yixing. Pretty darn good, if I may say so. Buttery, smooth, slightly floral. Not the absolute most amazing unroasted oolong I’ve had, but very, very good. I’ll drink what I have happily, and I’ll probably be first in line to try next year’s crop.

I cheated a little bit with this one, but it was totally worth it. I wanted…..NEEDED….tea this morning. Lots and lots of stress – nuff said. I wanted a black or oolong tea and this sample caught my eye. I can not believe I have had it for three years! When I poured the leaves into the pot it looked a little shy of how much I needed so I added quite literally just a few hard little pellets of Zealong Aromatic.

The result was excellent. This may have suffered a bit for aging, I don’t know, but I do know that having a good cuppa shifted a few burdens and lightened the load.

The liquor was very light, but the flavor had lots of body and heft, and there was a floral sweetness running alongside the dark roasted oolong, possibly from the addition of that tiny amount of ZA.

I finally got to taste this tea, which was sent to me by Lori! Thank you, Lori! It took this long for me to get it to my friend in New Zealand so we could have a virtual tea tasting on Skype and then to arrange a time we could do this.

The funny thing is that I am in the States getting this in a swap from someone and I mailed a portion to someone who is two hours away from the plantation where it is grown! They have just opened a tea room there called the Camellia House.

The dry leaves smell really good. The wet leaves smell REALLY smokey! The tea is very smooth, not bitter or astringent at all, nutty, nice planty and not nasty planty. First steep was two minutes and I was generous with the leaves. WOW! They really open up!

The second steep was dark DARK yellow and full bodied, and there was a creaminess I hadn’t noticed in the first steep. I only added an extra 30 seconds.

This is one of the best TGY I can find in the states. Fabulous. Lasts many infusions and has a pleasant floral and smooth TGY flavor. Highly recommended for any TGY fan.

First, I have to admit I have been steeping this one too long. The consensus is 1 min and I have been steeping for 3 mins! Luckily my tea did not go bitter……the overall taste is a pleasant smokiness. Not a burn your mouth w a campfire tar taste like some lapsang souchongs but subtle and pleasant. As the tea cooled, some cocoa notes were detected which took me off guard. I want to try this tea again w shorter steep times and maybe it will be even better.

We had the privileged of trying this Tea last night via Tony at Chicago Tea Garden. Upon opening the tea was really excited by the sweet smell from the unbrewed leaves. I used my favorite Yixing pot to steep. Chicago Tea garden recommended 30sec steep time for the 1st and 2nd steeping. I did my 1st steeping for 1minute. The Zealong had a really nice pale yellow/greenish color. The smell of the brewed Zealong was still a pleasant sweet smell. 1st sip and I noticed that it had a much milder taste than a Dong Ding or Milk Oolong . Each cup still had a much milder taste.

Second steeping I steeped for 2.5 minutes and found it to be a bit bolder in taste and color was a tad bit darker and smell was still a sweet smell. Me personally, I like bolder tasting Oolongs better than the milder ones. This Oolong will be a perfect fit for those people who find the taste of most Oolongs a bit strong. If you are just becoming familiar with Oolongs this is a great start into a wonderful would of Teas!