Tea Valley
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I received this in a swap from Tommy the Toad ! I think this was the tea that I received? I am not sure, but it is a 2006 ripe Dayi puerh. I’m not experienced in the realm of Pu-erh at all, so I just asked to try any tea! This was was great! It was ripe! I can’t tell differences, but there was something “minty” and refreshing about this tea. I steeped it 7 times, and I know I could have done more! There is a nice scent to this tea. It is earthy and fresh, but in a good way. I was pleasantly surprised! I can’t wait to try another piece.
Preparation
Thank you to TeaEqualsBliss for sending me some of this tea.
Another spectacular Oolong tea from Tea Valley. But then, of the teas that I’ve tried from them, I’ve not been disappointed.
This is a very pleasing Da Hong Pao with a nice complexity. It is fairly mellow compared to some Da Hong Pao I’ve encountered, but it still has the distinct smoky sweetness, deep tones of wood and fruit, contrasted by hints of sour.
This tasted like a typical, good quality jasmine. Maybe not as good as a jasmine pearl, but delicious nonetheless!
Be careful not to steep too long; the 2nd steeping I also did for 1 minute, but used less water, and it was just a bit bitter. I enjoyed it still, but it IS delicate.
I’m glad to have some of this in my cupboard. Next time I’ll have to get the pearls and see how that compares.
Preparation
Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: 500ml 175°F filtered water
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 3 minutes
Served: Hot
Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: very strong jasmine floral
Steeped Tea Smell: jasmine flowers
Flavor: floral
Body: Light
Aftertaste: vegetal, a little bitter
Liquor: translucent yellow-green
The tea arrived in an adorable tin with see through top, since I keep my teas away from the light I like preview windows. The packaging had the tea hand written on the side, but the handwriting was neat and easy to read so I did not mind at all. Overall adorable packaging.
I think i needed to increase the pearls and cut back on the time? The tea was airy and light, like smelling jasmine with your tongue, but with a bitter after taste I did not appreciate. I failed to follow directions and do 2 minutes for the steep as it seemed too light at two minutes, but I now know this is meant to be a light tea since it was not bitter then.
Resteep: 6 minutes, stronger floral taste, but also a stronger bitter after taste, perhaps next time a pinch of sugar?
Disclaimer: I received this tea for free from The Tea Valley Company in exchange for reviewing their website.
Images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/08/tea-valley-company-loose-leaf-green-tea.html
Preparation
Hey AmazonV,
Thanks for reviewing our jasmine pearls. You are absolutely right when you said this is meant to be a light tea.
Brewing jasmine is quite tricky for me. From experience, the bitterness comes from too many pearls and too little water. One source I checked actually suggest a jasmine tea to water ratio of 1:20. I’m not sure how accurate that is but here are the two ways I brew this tea personally:
1) Brewing it Gongfu style. Using a gaiwan, I put just enough pearls in it so that the bottom is covered. Fill the gaiwan with hot water that is just below boiling and let it steep for about a minute. Anything too long and you will end up with a bitter tea.
2) This may not be a popular way to brew the tea but it is something my family has suggested and the method has worked for me so far. Simple place about 8-10 pearls in a cup/mug of hot water and leave the tea leaves in there. Since the leaves are continually steeped in the cup, it create more flavors but at the same time none of the bitterness. I enjoy this quite a bit.
Nevertheless, no matter which menthod you choose, the end result should be a light and delicate tea. I hope this helps!
thank you, i will try the mug preparation time next time (i do not have a gaiwan)
I finished the tin up the other day. Overall it was very good (this was the first time I had Long Jing). I would definitely reorder it, and maybe some day I will. In the mean time, the thing that keeps me from doing so is that there are too many other things that I like also!
The smell of the loose leaf was very pleasant, sweet, and a little floral.
I brewed around 2 oz water to 1 rounded tsp (mabye a bit more) at near boiling for 30 seconds, increasing each steep by 15 seconds each time.
The first infusion was slightly vegetal (it did have a slight sencha-like vegetal taste), but this was quickly overpowered by the nutty, stir-fry-like chestnut flavor. It was quite a unique taste, and when I imagine how “Chinese” tastes (Chinese anything!), it is THIS flavor. It was really good, and if it ended at that it might have weirded me out, since it wasn’t like any tea I’ve had before.
However, the underlying flavor was such a pleasant, rounded sweetness. It wasn’t sharply sweet like the shinchas I’ve had (sugary), but smooth sweet, like a piece of fruit that is just barely ripe, or flowers. It was very pleasant.
This sweetness became more pronounced with each steeping as well.
Each time I poured the pot into the cup, a really pleasant aroma rose up from the tea as well. This was my first experience with Dragon Well (Long Jing), at least that I know of, and it was a good one. Glad I have more than a sample of this!
Preparation
Everytime I drink Chrysanthemum tea, it brings back memories of the 3 months that I lived in Hong Kong.
Instead of being able to buy canned soda in machines there (it is available, but not overly abundant like here in the US), you could buy sweetened lemon black tea or chrysanthemum tea in a box (like the juice boxes with the attached mini straw you can get here that’s marketed for kids).
I can’t remember drinking loose leaf chrysanthemum tea, at least, not in a home. I’m sure I drank it in dim sum restaurants. Because of that, when I drank this today, I simply thought, ‘Yep, this is chrysanthemum’ — nothing surprising.
However, it is still really good, really unique. Flowery, honey, very sweet. A pleasing yellow liquor. It’s nice to have this in lieu of the ever present, ever popular chamomile, as it seems very similar in type, but wholly other in taste.
I recommend the tea, but I do have one minor qualm — while I like the tin it came in, the lid is clear (which, is cool in because you can see the loose leaf through it), and therefore lets a lot more light in, but more problematic is that the lid doesn’t snap shut. If it were to turn over, I’m afraid it could come off. Not that I fear the tin turning over, but it simply means it isn’t a strongly sealing lid.
I don’t know if it would be prohibitively expensive for Tea Valley to get tins that had lids that snap tight and keep out all air, but that would definitely feel higher quality and help the tea to last longer.
Other than that, it had the the kinds of flavors were what I expected, but actually, they tasted better!
Hey Shinobicha,
Thanks for the review and pointing out the issue about the tin. I understand your concern and I was a bit disappointed myself when we received this batch of tins from my supplier. We will address this in our next order of tins.
Chrysanthemum juicebox is the best! I still get them all the time in the states from the Chinese markets. I’m sure you know this already, but the chrysanthemum goes really well with pu’erhs or a dash of honey :)
You’re welcome!
It’s not really a big concern of mine, but I’m glad you will be able to address it next time!
Yes, I have found the juiceboxes once here, they were delicious. I didn’t know chrysanthemum went with pu-erh (though, honey makes a lot of sense), but that’s probably because I’ve never had pu-erh before. Someday I’ll try it, but it seems low on the list, since I"m not sure I’d like it.
First, “Thank you” Tea Valley for sending me a sample of this georgeous tea!
I had this review posted in the wrong place. I am reposted to keep this centrally located. Sorry about the error.
I truly loved the simplicity of this tea. It is strange but although it is complex in that it is slightly sweet, a bit earthy, vegatal, with a mild roasted finish. It is simple because all the flavors are perfectly balanced and creates a delicious flavor all on it’s own. I truly enjoyed this tea and feel everyone should try it at least once. It is one of those teas that can be enjoyed every now and again as a treat. Like a fine wine it must be had on special occasions or when you just need the world to stop for a brief moment of peace. A great tea indeed!
Preparation
Today, I am taking some “me” time and enjoying some Oolong – I even got out my gaiwan! This is an absolutely extraordinary Oolong. The flavor is sweet, the texture is smooth, the aroma is heavenly, everything is simply PERFECT.
There is only ONE other Oolong that comes close to this – and that is Ali Shan.
Preparation
Well, I’m no Pu-erh Pro but…
I’m not fond of the scent – but – I am grateful that it’s slight and not intense.
The major PLUS for me – is the TASTE of this Pu-erh! I am surprised, shocked, and excited that this is a completely do-able Pu-erh for me! I haven’t had much luck in the past but I must say – this is IT folks! This is pretty darned good!
It’s smoother and sweeter than any pu-erh I have ever had. It’s woodsy but not overly so. There’s a certain cocoa-likeness to it…like cocoa powder almost…not really sugary-sweet or milk chocolate but maybe the natural bitterness to it perhaps.
I can’t express how pleasantly surprised at this I am! I found a Pu-erh winner folks!
As it cools – it seems to be getting a bit more better and the sweetness hints fade. It’s still pretty good tho (since I usually can’t do pu-erh’s!) Thumbs Up Tea Valley!
I normally don’t like Pu Erh, but the cocoa notes interest me:)
Maybe comparable to a weak coffee taste for an after taste!? Not sure…first thing that came to mind…
I wouldn’t say it’s a pure cocoa like most of the cocoa-type tastes I comment on – more like a dark powder type…not sugary tho…hope that makes sense.
I guess I am just excited it doesn’t taste like dirt or fishy like other attempts with different brands, ya know!? LOL
lol pure cocoa would be “dark powder type” and not sugary. Or at least in my head where pure means “without additions”- including sugar.
:) Just wanted to make sure I wasn’t being misleading with my findings…didn’t want people to think it tasted like chocolate, ya know? :P
Oh no. Chocolate and cocoa are completely different:)
Menghai puerh tea are renownded for their taste. Good choice! The fishyness sometimes comes with over steeping…the aftertaste of cocoa may come fm something you have eaten??? Glad you enjoyed the wonderful taste of pu! Don’t be shy.
I’m glad you like it! Pu’erh is an aquired taste and took me some getting used to the flavor. I like to add a little chrysanthemum to it and it takes away all the bitter flavor. All this talk is making me thirsty… I think I’ll brew me a cup. :-)
Thank you all for your feedback! :)
This one wanted to start smelling like Chamomile and switching gears into something much more pleasing to my nose! YAY!
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one…after all I am looking at the dry mix and bye-golly…I’m going to drink flower buds! So…maybe I was thinking it was going to taste flower…maybe more like bitter flowers like rose or marigold or something but that wasn’t the case…
Honey-like sweetness is right! This is a pure delight! A lovely-sweet and almost honey-like after taste but more buttery, or slippery than others I have thought to be honey-like??? Perhaps. Maybe Buttery-Popcorn covered in honey!?! Not sure…but there is something more to the aftertaste than just honey-sweetness and sweet-floral notes and I just think it’s darling!
This is my very first tea from Tea Valley and I am very excited! :)
This smells a little sweet and a little smoky and woodsy.
It’s a very nice light brownish-yellow.
The taste is very nice, too! A sweet-woodsy type flavor. It has a mysterious malty-ness to it even.
As it cools for a minute or two…it seems to get sweeter and even BETTER than it was before…it seems with each sip it gets better and better.
This is a great Oolong!
Oh this is lovely! The flavor is smooth, sweet and nutty. It has a nice buttery flavor to it. I am also getting that light floral note in the finish – it’s very delicate, but very pleasant.
I just realized that I steeped this too long (should only steep for 30 seconds for the first infusion), but, it is not at all bitter. The next time I brew it I will have to try it at 30 seconds and see what comes of it. As it is, I really like it when I brew it for a minute and a half.
Preparation
The second infusion is quite nice also. I added an extra 30 seconds to the steep time. It is still lovely and sweet with honey-esque notes. I want to describe it using the term “honey roasted nuts” because it has honey, roast-y, and nutty notes to it. But it isn’t a heavy or thick flavor, it is very light. Even the buttery flavor is not a thick buttery note… It is light and refreshing, and even though I’m drinking it hot, and it is very warm right now, it doesn’t feel too warm because it has that crisp lightness to it that is very enjoyable.
Oooooooo…can’t wait to try!
My order arrived a couple of days ago but I finally got a chance to sit down and give this tea a try. The fragrance is very “creamy” even though that is probably not the right word to describe it. I was taken off guard by this tea’s strong notes. The wheat-like flavor was very delicious. I like the fact that it doesn’t have a lot of the bitterness and astringency that some of the other bi lou chun have. I can still taste the sweet aftertaste even though its been well beyond 5 mins since my last cup. High marks all-and-all. Be warned though that this is not a light flavor green tea.
