Golden Moon Tea

Lowest rating on this one is 84 points! GOSH! This must be some pretty awesome stuff then.

I will admit, it had me at the word ‘honey’. If I sweeten my tea at all, which is rare, liquid honey is usually one of my first thoughts. Especially if the tea itself already has a natural honey note to it.

Orchid… Not so much. I don’t really do floral. I’ve found some things in which it works, but I’m quite picky about it and it tends to be a detractor for me.

So I’m left with a cup of equal parts ‘Oooh!’ and ‘Meh…’ I wonder if it’ll come out neutral, then?

I’m sorry to say it does rather. The aroma is all thick honey and delicate flowers, but the flavour is… well… to be honest, it’s a bit weak, really.

It’s sort of top-flavoured. Imagine the sip of tea being layered on the tongue. Then the bottom layer is just water, the middle honey and the top tea. And that’s it.

Thin and watery, no substance that I can find. Considering the other posts about it, I have to say I’m disappointed. And surprised. How can my experience be so different from theirs? I used plenty of leaf, probably could have steeped it longer, but again, plenty of leaf, so longer than 1 minutes steeping is almost always bound to end badly.

As it cools a bit to a more drinkable temperature and the cup develops a little, the orchid comes out more, and it’s reminding me of the floral aspect of the orange pu-erh from Chi of Tea which also has some sort of flower in it. Floral works for me in that one, and now that I’ve found it here, it also works for me here. Surprisingly, considering my troubles with the other flavours of the blend.

The honey is putting in a proper appearance here as well, and it doesn’t feel so layered anymore. Or at least, we’re down to two layers. The actual tea itself still keeps to the top layer. It feels a little less weak and thin at this point, but I’m still nowhere near the experience everybody else has had with it.

Further development sees the honey and orchid take a step back again and the tea really come out. It tastes like a Chinese or south Indian type with a wooden note and some strong cocoa as well, but then that may just be the flavouring masking the base. I didn’t really find any of these notes in the beginnin when it was so top flavoured.

I don’t know… I’m definitely not seeing the same things in this one that others were, so I suppose I’ll have to resign myself to being contrary here and providing the lowest yet amount of points for it.

This hit me the wrong way. I wanted to try a sample so I dug through my sample box and picked this. The scent is very strong and sweet smelling. It induced an instant mini-headache. The taste is sweet on its own, but I still couldn’t get past the scent. I tried it with sugar, and it was alright. Meh

I liked this so much, I bought a pound of it when Golden Moon had a sale. I drink it 2-3 times weekly now. It’s one of my favorite morning black teas, and it has a reliable, pleasant flavor. See previous note.

I have had a tin of Sinharaja for several months, and today I just polished off the last of it. I’ve been fond of this tea for some time. It’s one of those black teas that brews up a bit astringent, but once you add a touch of sweetener, it’s delicious. Full-bodied and smooth, with a rich, almost molasses-like flavor. I’m getting some notes of pastry and vanilla as well. The color in the cup has a bit of a reddish tinge. It’s the perfect tea for morning or afternoon — a good all-around black tea, a polished alternative to English or Irish breakfast teas. I’m going to have to buy more the next time I place a Golden Moon order.

I had high hopes for this one since I love ginger. I smelled the spicy scent of ginger. It just didn’t deliver as I’d hoped. The white tea was lovely enough. Otherwise just an okay tea.

I like this one. Leaves were more on the black side but still had the fresh smell.
Tea is dark yellow, slightly orangy.
Tastes like oolong should. With a very smooth tasty feel. That yummy almond or chestnut like taste. Highly drinkable tea…

Trying this tea thanks to RachanaC (A.K.A. Rachel)! (If you’re on TeaTra.de, be sure to check out her samplers!) This is only my third oolong, so I am feeling very newbish as I sip this tea. I was thrilled by the way the leaves are rolled up into glossy dark green pebbles.

It brewed up to a pleasant, springlike yellow that makes me think of green teas. (And kinda makes me worry that I used water that was too hot.) The flavor is very nutty, like the description described, with faint hints of caramel. Something sort of reminds me of cocoa in the aftertaste.

All around, this is an interesting and complex oolong. But I think I’m going to have to compare my preparation with everyone else’s before I make another cup, so I can sip and review with confidence.

Nyaaaa me and jasmine meet again…

This would be one of those that I don’t like much. The jasmine taste is quite strong and I’m not a fan of that. Its kinda watery. Not smooth enough for me.

It’s more drinkable than some jasmine teas I’ve tried but no way I would buy this one…

EDIT
2nd steep was better. i could taste the green tea leaves even tho the jasmine is still overtaking…

I am down to my last 3-4 sample packets from GM. I love jasmine pearls, well most the time if it’s not over powering. The jasmine in these pearls was just the amount I liked. It made for a great iced tea. The green tea itself was really yummy and strong. They were bigger pearls than other tea providers. Enjoyed 2 rebrews, which were equally just as tasty. I really enjoyed this tea.

I’ve nearly forgotten about my sample box, which is the cute box I had received from Golden Moon Tea! I wanted something refreshing and figured I should try this one out. It is raining out, and I burned a veggie bun in my microwave so it stinks in here! pole sana.

The scent is very strong. Very minty. I can taste the gunpowder slightly as an aftertaste. I didn’t particularly enjoy the minty/tingly/medicinal feeling I had on the tip of my tongue. Must be the mint oil… Anyway, good tea! I was tempted to try with sugar, but I didn’t.

I got tea samples from Rachel C, that I bought through Teatrade!! I was excited to try this one since everyone has enjoyed it so far.
This is a delightful tea! As I’ve said thousands of times before, I’m not a black tea drinker, but this is yummy. I can’t believe there’s no flavoring in it =P

Leaves looked and smelled wonderful and the tea smells even better.
It’s slightly bittery but in a good way… The aftertaste is yummy and smooth. Hint of floral, bit malty… All together a very good english breakfast.

First of all, thanks to threewhales for sharing this tea with me. This is really awesome! I couldn’t believe the smell of the dry tea: very floral and sweet. After pouring water over the leaves, the honey aroma exploded and I seriously stood over my teapot enjoying the aroma for the entire steep time. This tea is a very rich, honey color, but not at all what you would expect from a black tea. My first sip made me think I was dreaming. This tea couldn’t possibly be that delicious, right?

No, actually it is that delicious and perfect. I love this tea. As others have mentioned, this tea is naturally sweet and light. The taste of orchids is present throughout the end of the sip with the honey sweetness taking over at the beginning. I love that there seems to be a texture to this tea, almost biscuit-like yet smooth. This is certainly a treat and I’m looking forward to subsequent infusions.

This tea does remind me of the Honey Orchid Phoenix oolong from Tao of Tea, but this tea from GM is MUCH, MUCH better! Wow, I just can’t believe how delicious this is!

Since learning that ginger is good for the days you feel a little icky, I saved this sample for such an occasion. Which means I’ve only tested it when I’m sick. Which means any hot beverage tastes good.

Ordinarily, I hate ginger. I think it tastes like soap. But it’s so subtle in this tea that I liked it regardless. Maybe it’s a psychological thing that it makes me feel better, I don’t know, or maybe there’s more ginger in there than I taste. But it’s slightly sweet, and gives a good kick to its white tea base.

Next time I go on a tea-shopping binge I’ll pick this one up. Who needs cold medication when you can drink tea?

I finally got to try this tea. I hate licorice most the time. Especially black jelly beans. So this wasn’t a tea I was super excited to try. It has star anise in it, which I like.

It was nice for what it is. It probably would of been nicer iced. It was nice white tea. I only enjoy of star anise in other teas, where it’s blended with other flavors. Or in Thai tea.

One reason for the less than optimum rating is that the can was less than half full, which means that I will not get that much out of it. I count 18, which means 9 pots and consider that scanty, even with additional steepings. My second steeping I thought would be safe at 2 minutes, but that actually brought in a touch of bitterness. Not enough to ruin it, but 1.5 minutes the second time would have been better. I haven’t tried a third yet, but I think I might get another one yet this morning. I also appreciate more complete brewing instructions, as in tell me how much to use. And as with the other reviewer, the link did not work to order more. It was supposed to work for Feb. and that is more than half over anyway, by the time I got it. But moot point if it doesn’t work at all.

I’m going to get some from Chicago Tea Garden. I’m sure it is cheaper and probably the same tea!

Oh boy. I’m not even sure where to begin with this one. It came in the mail to me through Golden Moon Tea’s Single Leaf Club (like a tea of the month club… I’m trying to broaden my horizons); however, when I enter the secret link to read more about it, the link doesn’t work.

So, kind of excited as I’ve never tried pu-erh before, I open the container and sniff. Now, if I were a farmer, perhaps this would have invoked a different reaction, however, the barnyard/dirt fragrance really turned me off. Would I actually try this? I had to question myself. Well, this morning I took the plunge.

I followed the directions almost exactly, but added a rinse first, hoping to shake some of that scent. 180/1.5 minutes…

Sniff… ack! Nope, now it’s wet barnyard that I smell. And something like feet. Seriously, this is getting worse and worse. But, I’m thinking to myself, I lived in France for years. Some of the cheeses that could condemn a home on odor alone were some of the best I’ve ever tasted. Besides, the color of the tea is very light yellow and pretty. So, I throw caution to the wind and take a sip.

I’m not a mathematician, but I’ve come up with an equation:

(scent of cheese:taste) ≠ (scent of Sticky Rice Pu-erh:taste)

I’m pretty proud of that and I have no words to describe this that wouldn’t fall into my mom’s “if-you-don’t-have-anything-nice-to-say, then-don’t-say-anything-at-all” category.

The leaves smell absolutely delicious! Very promising to start with…
Mmmm very fresh and delicious. Very melony :) It’s just right this one.
It’s bit tastier, smoother and finer than the Ronnefeldt’s White melon tea. A little bit. That one is very similar but stronger on melon. Or the melon itself tastes stronger there…
Anyways, love this one…

OMG! This is so good.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. First, thank you to TeaEqualsBliss for sending me some of this tea, and thank you to Marcus from Golden Moon Tea for sending her some of this tea so that she could send me some! And thank you to the tea tree for growing these amazing leaves so that I might partake of this amazing tea.

I love this. I absolutely love this. If for some reason I could only have one black tea for the rest of my life, I would probably choose this. Yes, it’s that good.

The aroma is amazing, the flavor is sublime. I am mesmerized by how good this tea is. SO GOOD!

Thanks Marcus!

The scent of this tea is lovely. It’s fruity and I get a strong note of aged wood. The tea itself is quite delicate. All the flavours described come through, especially chestnut. All in all, a very pleasant tea.

It smells like oolong and looks very bright clear yellow.
It tastes floral, bit oolongy but quite watery too. But I can’t say I dont like it. It’s OK for me. A really gentle one.
It could have fuller and smoother oolong taste tho. I like the aftertaste more than that taste while drinking it…

I haven’t had pu-erh loose yet, just from Numi. This tea needs to grow on you, it seems. I am with Cofftea were I was nervous to try it. I kept all the Golden Moon samples I wasn’t sure of for last. I brewed it in 1/2 milk and 1/2 water for 4 minutes. I could drink this again, but I wouldn’t buy it.