100

Upon arriving at my coworker’s apartment, one of the first things I noticed was a collection of beautiful English-style tea cups on a shelf in the kitchen. Her roommate is a tea head! I was shown the stash in the closet and the selection screamed ‘Steepster Member!’ at me. So much loose leaf. She said I could drink anything I wanted, but I remained modest in my selection and only had one of her teas over the weekend. I picked this Douglas Fir Spring Tips because I’ve never seen it around.

We have Doug Fir here in California, but in most of the forests I’ve been in Northern California, Doug Fir is mixed with other tree species. This tea had a damp, dewey quality that reminded me of a moist Cascadian pure Doug Fir forest. It had a sweet fir aroma and tastes of fir, light earth and citrus and nectar sweetness. Wow, what a comforting and refreshing treat for a cold morning on the coast. I have to find this tea.

Preparation
Boiling 8 min or more 8 OZ / 236 ML
Bluegreen

You drank what?! Mind blown.

derk

Supple fir tips. So good.

Mastress Alita

Oh man, I would totally drink that.

derk

Ima go searching for it in the city before I move to avoid shipping costs. If I find it, do you want me to pick you up a tin of bags?

derk

That goes for Bluegreen, too.

Mastress Alita

I am on a tea hiatus at the moment, part of a quite strict New Year’s Resolution that I’ve already put into effect. If you get some, and at some time in the future when my collection no longer makes me feel terrible about myself and my ordering/trading embargo has been lifted, I would happily take a single teabag to try it. :-)

derk

Noted :)

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Comments

Bluegreen

You drank what?! Mind blown.

derk

Supple fir tips. So good.

Mastress Alita

Oh man, I would totally drink that.

derk

Ima go searching for it in the city before I move to avoid shipping costs. If I find it, do you want me to pick you up a tin of bags?

derk

That goes for Bluegreen, too.

Mastress Alita

I am on a tea hiatus at the moment, part of a quite strict New Year’s Resolution that I’ve already put into effect. If you get some, and at some time in the future when my collection no longer makes me feel terrible about myself and my ordering/trading embargo has been lifted, I would happily take a single teabag to try it. :-)

derk

Noted :)

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Profile

Bio

This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. Yet I persist.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, and Nepal. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possesses off flavor/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s puerh, I likely think it needs more age.

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Location

Sonoma County, California, USA

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