Silver Needle Tea Co.

Yet another tea I bought way too long ago and never finished. Now that the colder weather is here, I thought it would be nice to start the day with a cup of this. It’s definitely one of those teas that makes me wonder why I don’t drink it more often. There’s really no smokiness, just a hint of toasty-roasty flavor, and a lovely honey sweetness. So good! I think I may just make this a priority for my morning tea until it’s gone. I have to remember how good it is! Brewed it western style because I didn’t have the time for a gongfu session. It doesn’t matter – still great.

This sits very lightly on the tongue, but packs a punch with strong flavors. It also leaves a wonderful airy feeling in the palette.

Light earthy with a good ash -like bitterness

A beautiful tea with more complexity than any Lapsang Souchong I’ve ever had. Light floral notes with a deep earthiness, and leaf(s) you a feeling of airiness. Quite nice.

Got this as a sample a bajillion years ago. :) The first steep went a little long—forgot I’d washed my favorite strainer and had to go fetch it from the drying rack. I’d forget my head, but it’s attached.

The smokiness just rolls off of this—I feel like I’m sitting in the log cabin I grew up in, stoking the wood fire. Ah, nostalgia.

Drinking this in my new color-changing Star Wars Yoda mug. “USE THE FORCE” :D Yoda is kind of my idol, so I’m going to admire his crinkly, determined face as I let this cool. Haha! No, I haven’t seen the new Star Wars movie, yet, and that is simply not okay. My family wants to get together and have a marathon of the first six movies, then go watch it in theaters together. Working nights, I’m not so sure how that will go. I might actually have to take a day off, since I have a split weekend (no two days off in a row).

Okay! Tea time!

Woah, so sweet! Totally not what I was expecting based off of smell alone. This is also very smooth. Probably one of the best oolong/wulongs I’ve had. Hmmm, this may have to go on my wishlist. ;P

Can’t wait for the resteeps!

Can I just say it’s yummy? :P

Reminds me of Golden Needle from Yunnan Sourcing.

Should have realized this was an oolong that brewed closer to black tea qualities when I looked at the leaves. Not a big deal I’m just not as big of a fan of black as I am green. BUT! This is good! Definitely taste the cacao and caramel. The honeysuckle …hmm kinda, maybe?

My daughter seems to like it too.

As Da Hong Pao goes, this one is quite lovely. Lovely rich honey-amber cup which ignites the air with a surprising berry fruitiness mixed with coco powder. Autumn leaves, caramel and roasted winter squash strike the full bodied palate with a striking, yet classic, sweetness which closes delicately with a wisp of semi-sweet coco powder and honey. Very pleasant tannins, which gently pull at your palate as you savor the very long finish. I was able to get 4 steeps out of this, you may be able to stretch that to 5-6 if you play around with water temp and steeping time. I will be ordering more of this!

This is unlike any Lapsang Souchong I have ever tasted, and I wondered if the labeling was correct as there was no smokiness to the dried leaves and barely a hint in the brew. It is definitely a nice tea, with beautiful small twisted leaves and sweet aroma. To my senses it smells of honey and hops, very pleasantly reminiscent of a late summer day. Maybe even aroma of honey locust and hay. Very, very faint hint of smokiness in later steeps — not at all like the “strong smoky flavor with a smooth finish” stated on the label.

This sample was received as part of the January ’15 Steepster select box, and I do wonder if tea direct from Silver Needle tea Co. has these same characteristics, or whether another tea was substituted.

Just a great subtle flavor overall. No one flavor dominates. Excellent blend.

Smelled a lot like alfalfa hay in the package and I was a little leery of trying it. When I did, I found it was pretty delicious! It was bright and buttery. Clean, smooth, harmonious/well-balanced. Nice mellow tea and very soothing.

I don’t know if I’m doing this tea right. I don’t detect any smokiness at all (which, honestly, isn’t a bad thing to me; I don’t usually go in for lapsang souchongs because of the smokiness), and it tastes a lot like another tea from another Select box. It’s malty and earthy, with a light sweetness after the liquor’s swallowed.

From the January ’15 Select box.

Edit: It tastes like Red Jade from Eco-Cha.