Zhi Tea

Another pot after breakfast this morning with some clover honey.

I had this with breakfast this morning. I can imagine I’ve had over a hundred cups of this tea. I will start logging this classic from now on.

Damn fine cup of tea!

There may be technicality in naming this, since some traditionalists will argue, that English Breakfast is a blend of teas, and not a single estate. However I do not really care about that.To me, this is what English Breakfast is suppose to taste like! I cannot comprehend how well Zhi has chosen this tea.

I brew this in a 26 ounce white teapot with an infuser. It is just like any black: five minutes at boiling. It yields a full bodied dark amber cup with VERY subtle but appropriate notes of citrus, and smokiness, ending with a sweet and astringent finish. It is very hospitable as you drink, and warming in your soul. If you are sensitive to caffeine I suggest to wash tea with quick spot of hot water before brewing.

I love English Breakfast because is it incredibly versatile. It offers an affordable focus over a pricey oolong. Pair this in the morning with a apple, and you can forget about the cup of coffee. It’s caffeine is appropriate for an English Breakfast, nice and lengthy, but a gentle lift, if you need more kick try an Assam, or a Irish Breakfast. It is a safe bet to serve to guests who are tolerable with very mild caffeine, as I know some individuals can be so sensitive to it.

This takes milk well, even half and half if you want it more rich. I sometimes take mine with a spot of milk/half and half poured in first, pour the tea, and finish there or with a sweetener, like Turbinado sugar, honey or agave nectar. It is good as self-drinking tea, or with just a spot of sweetener.

In it’s versatility, it is a good tea to help you when you are feeling ill, but you urgently need to be somewhere. Somewhat like a natural Dayquil. It’s all simple as adding a squirt of lemon and some honey, and micro-pinch of salt in your cup (optional) and adjust to taste. Pop this in a thermos and drink throughout the day, it helps me stay focus. You will notice the more lemon you add the more the tea turns orangey-red.

This is a staple, that I order by the pound. It is a classic tea that deserves to be in your cupboard. The added bonus is that it comes from Zhi Tea, and it is produced organically and responsibly.

I am having this after a real long day…

Had over four infusions with my gaiwan after having a Pearl’s Deluxe Burger. Boy did it help.

This tea has become a staple for me.

Like most Wuyi oolongs, it is complex, honeylike with a very harmonizing earth note, which seems to be my favorite thing about Wuyi oolongs. This Wuyi has decent leaf quality, with a nice contrast of brown and dark green leaves.

I brew this shy of boiling, or boil, and let the water cool for a minute or two. I brew my Wuyi oolongs on one minute ascending brews starting at one minute. This tea in my opinion will start loosing significant body on its’ third brew, but its’ quality is good enough for six brews, where I find that it’s body is watered out.

I take this tea often at dinner, especially if I had a greasy meal. It pairs well with Dim Sum. Delicate metabolisms can have you running to the bathroom, as with most oolongs. Overall, if you’re looking for a little more than average ORGANIC Wuyi, this is what I would recommend.

Good Desert tea. Would go well with cheesecake. The description above says it all.

I really like the tins these teas come in, besides that it’s a nice blend of Green and Black tea that is good by itself while you contemplate life’s mysteries. I wouldn’t steep it too long. It’s not a complex flavor, simply invigorating.

I like this tea. It is mellow and smooth. I am not a lover of fruity teas. This has a peachy aroma and slight peachy taste, but to me is more floral and not offensively fruity. Nice for a change of pace.

This is very similar to Zhi’s Wuyi. A little more laid back perhaps. I like the “woodiness” with a bit of floral nose. I usually do two steepings of this tea. Like it a lot.

This may be the best tea I’ve had ever. I first tasted it at Zhi during Eat Local week. A nice, extremely knowledgeable guy was steeping various teas. On the first steeping the aroma was sweet and floral. Tasting this tea after the first smell was a little surprising, it was more substantial and earthier than I thought it would be. Multiple steepings didn’t disappoint. I took home two ounces that day and this continues to be my “go-to” tea when I’m looking for “the cup that cheers” – that phrase was invented for this tea.

I drink this tea because I love the way it tastes and don’t really consider the “weight loss” properties. It is full bodied, yummy and toasty. Lots of depth. One of my favorite teas, but I really like a substantial dark tea for the “winter” (I live in Texas) especially. Drink this several times a week. Organic a plus.

Fruity aroma. Mild, tangy taste with a subtle coconut finish.

Dry leaves have strong coconut aroma that fades when brewed. Brewed flavor is malty and roasted, reminiscent of a whole grain breakfast cereal. A robust, uncomplicated taste with a cutting astringency .

it’s growing on me, maybe i just had a bad harvest. kinda tasted like stale pickled bark the first time i had it, now it kinda tastes like hojicha mixed with lemonade

SIPDOWN #3 for today!

Having one last tea before ‘abandoning ship’…this one will be missed…

Understeeped this only because I was impatient! I really like this tea! Check out my previous review for this!

Almost out…1-2 more helpings left…sigh…

Still LOVE this one…had a cup before lunch…which is rare because I don’t usually drink white’s until afternoon or evening…not sure why…just seems to work out that way…lol…

Another Ashley Tea! Thanks! Smells like it’s described and smells great! A little murky grey-ish green in color for liquid but it’s ok. Not overly Blueberry and not overly white tea taste but pretty darned good.

What a unique flavor, what I’m learning are their are many ways to make Chai Tea. This one make’s a nice desert tea.

This is hands-down my favorite white tea. No extra flavoring needed—it is bold while still retaining its delicateness. I need to write more on this tea later.

I love this tea for its nutty flavor. The sencha is only enhanced by the brown rice to give it a more complex taste.