Featured & New Tasting Notes
Sipdown (198/202)!
Thanks Kittenna for the sample. Sadly, I’m using it all up for this mug – I would have liked to play around a little with the whole ‘sugar and salt bringing out different flavours’ thing. It seems weird to me to add salt to tea; I mean, I don’t add salt to anything, and I never sweeten my tea either so I just made this cup plain.
This is one of those teas that you just have to try because of the concept. It’s pretty weird, at least in my opinion (though nothing like Bacon tea). It definitely solicited an interesting response from my friend who was over the other day when I said “Potato Pancake” tea.
So steeped up (with nothing added) I think this tastes pretty amazing! I’ve actually had apple sauce and potato pancakes before, though only once, made by my Grandma. We don’t celebrate Hanukkah or anything, but she made them for us anyway. It was a while ago – when I was in elementary school, but I remember shredding apples for her with a cheese grater, and loving them because they were sweet enough I didn’t have to add syrup or anything to them. I feel the same way about this blend; it perfectly captures what it claims to, and I think it’s really well balanced and doesn’t really need to be swayed more to one side.
Although it’d still be interesting to try it with salt added because that’s still a weird concept to me.
I’m also happy because, to me, it doesn’t taste green. Yay!
I’m going to add this to my shopping list as well, for when I finally finish off some of the Butiki teas I have that I don’t plan on keeping around (also for when I have money). Maybe I wouldn’t want a full pouch of it, but as a sample or something to drink very occasionally or as a treat – because this was good!
Flavors: Potato
Preparation
i do not…. understand.
i got not licorice.
i got no orange.
i got caramel? caramel…. is that you? where have you been? have you been hiding out with adagio playing favourites with MissB? if so, i will admit my feelings are moderately hurt… but really i’m just glad you came back for a quick stop by!
i didn’t smell caramel either…. i have to conclude it really was taste. i had a sense of nuts (nonspecific) and caramel.
maybe MissB put some sort of voodoo over it? lol. sadly i was so distracted by amazement that my entire review consists of ‘I COULD TASTE IT!!!! WOW!’. not much else. (sorry….. but it was very good!)
it also had a warmth that was not generated from heat or spice. riddles upon riddles!
Preparation
Interesting…..
agreed. and also strange. lol.
Yes and no. Flavour and scent can be an interesting alchemy and at times are perceived uniquely by each individual. It would be interesting to know what unique combo results in caramel.
yes and true. if i had read the description i may have had misgivings: caramel, licorice and orange does not sound right to me… but somehow it wound up being a genuine, well balanced caramel to my palate? though i tend to be a bit odd, lol.
Maybe the liquorice added just enough sweetness and thickness to the tea to make the caramel jump out? Not sure about the orange unless it tempers some of the notes that licorice can sometimes have?
On my Reichenbach Recovery package I have notes that say it’s hazelnut, caramel and earl grey bravo making it up, not liquorice or orange though she might have changed the blend since then.
i was just reading what was in the description on steepster…. yes, i would guess the blend has changed. it was a very surprising experience!
ah! but I loved the earl and hazelnut!
another fantastic tea to kick start the morning.,This + maple really is a great time for me. It’s more smokey than i need it to be, but the smoke is flavourful and certainly not over powering. All in all, love having this one from time to time for a little extra smokey oomph!
“another fantastic tea to kick start the morning.” “love having this one”
Only an 82?
I just picked up a box of Russian Caravan myself! I completely agree that it’s a “once and a while” tea, perfect for mornings when you need the extra flavor push!
Yep. Because a lot is dependant on me being in the mood for it. Higher ranked teas are those that are fantastic and I could drink any and every time :)
Now you’re making me crave a smokey tea with maple syrup. :)
I am somehow really surprised that you, of all people, actually like lapsang. Like, mind blown over here.
but lapsang + maple = godly. so I approve!
I’m not at all surprised, since Sil loves blacks. Also, you are all right. Maple + lapsang = best combo evar.
This isn’t my favourite smokey tea but it’s a good one :) @ceylon – i still don’t like OMG IN YO FACE smokey teas..but ones that have a smoother sort of interesting smoke, really appeal to me…but i ALWAYS add maple. it’s the only tea always add things too
Sil, What are your most favorite morning kick start teas?
uh..i’d have to look at what i’ve been drinking in the morning, but to be honest if i REALLY need a kick in the pants, i usually grab a puerh and steep it western style :) otherwise my assams are usually what i go for, though i haven’t found my perfect bold cup of that yet…nothing fruity, so i stay away from me taiwanese blacks…
Yay! I’m home, and drinking tea, and watching Supernatural! I’m halfway through season 5. OMG. It’s so intense. And I have so many episodes ahead of me. I love those Winchester boys, but I gotta say I feel pretty bad for Cas. (No spoilers there.)
My friend found this on tumblr and was awesome enough to pass it on: http://yelloweyedcrowley.tumblr.com/post/75890779259 (YES. Destial support. :P)
This is a pretty decent cuppa. It makes me want to try Mint to Be as the non-green scum caffeinated version of this!
Also it’s going to be 3:00AM by the time I’m done this episode of SPN, but I still feel it’s worth it. I went out to a party and we brought the toddler, which meant I was on high alert all night from making sure she didn’t get into something she shouldn’t, and then I had to talk to strangers and be nice…. Eeek. So, I feel this is a just reward. She just went to sleep at 2, so she’ll probably let me sleep until noon. #fingerscrossed
Oh and I’m at 126 teas after doing a bunch of sipdowns and packaging swaps and just being awesome! :D I… I do have 48 teas coming in though so I still need 24ish more sipdowns for the month. Could happen! A lot of the incoming ones are small! :D
Preparation
Look at you with your small (relatively) cupboard. My goal is to be under 150 by the time I go to Florida. I don’t think that is unreasonable as I am at 157 now and I leave the end of the month.
Aww, I can’t imagine what it would be like to watch after a little one, especially at a party.
Mint to Be is definitely worth checking out if you like this one. :)
Dude! 126 is amazing. :D
Also, at the bottom of that post… “I just watched this, and Castiel literally continues to shuffle closer to Dean as they talk.” Probably Misha trying something, and they kept it. :D
Man, I thought I had a lot of tea until I joined this website.
And I don’t watch Supernatural, but even I can see that Dean and Cas are totally in love with each other.
Hehe, am I allowed to be proud of myself for having done 3 sipdowns yesterday and be down at 305???
TheTeaFairy… You need a new hobby :)
This just made my day, I LOVE Supernatural and I’m around the same point in Season 5! tea and good TV=awesome day.
Lol, Nextdoor, I have a zillion other interests, I just don’t clutter them! (Well except for teaware. Oh, and shoes, that’s an out of control situation!!)
OMG, 25 one shot??? Ok, you are my hero VariaTEA, someone to look up to, I am now your humble follower, lol! Boy do I need more closet room, I have shelves racks in the basement all devoted to shoes, it’s like tea, I will never get enough it seems…
Unfortunately a few of those shoes actually got thrown in the garbage by my roommate. Never, EVER, toss your shoes into a garbage bag when travelling between home and school. No matter how much space it might save in the car.
@VariaTEA that one thing we don’t have in common. I’ve never owned more than three pairs of shoes at once. For the time being, that’s a pair of dress/work shoes, and two pairs of runners. One of those pairs I’ve had since 10th grade.
Haha. Well if we had everything in common, that would be no fun. We need to have some variation between us.
Also, at any given time I have at least 5-10 pairs of converse alone
Yowsers. I nearly forgot to reply here!
I did grab Mint to Be! I can’t wait to try it.
And 126 is great, but I have a lot incoming. It’ll be tough to hit 150 for March 1st! But… that’s not a bad thing. :D
Thank you Sami! :P #highfives I love that post. And I love the cast for being so ridiculous about things in real life.
Oh, and I’m wish Roswell Strange. I’ve probably only got 3 pairs of shoes too.
Reading my book and sipping on this for the last two hours.
I made it the way I really like it when I have all the time in the world for it. I fill the gaiwan with leaves, really, I fill it almost to the top. This tea is light in weight, so for me, that’s the best way to extract all the goodness I know is in there. It might seems like a lot of tea to waist, but it’s no waist when you can brew it for several hours. And the steeps remain rich and flavourful. A good night companion…
This is another one from Butiki I’m hoping will never disappear!
(See previous notes)
Interesting method!
Yes, I find I’m not achieving the results I,m seeking with short steeps if I use less. I know this tea is good no matter what, but this method elevates it to the tenth power for me!
I still haven’t tried that with this tea…yet!
I have no doubt time will come, Terri!
Reading anything good?
Well Teabrat, I just finished Rebecca from Daphne Du Maurier and I’m now contemplating either Ken Follett’s Pillars of the Earth’s sequel World Without End or Camilla Läckberg ‘s Ice Princess. Hard to choose sometimes isn’t it?
Interesting! I will have to try that. I usually fill the gaiwan about half way full.
Stacy, I know, that’s what I do too with regular teas (meaning other than pu’erh and oolongs, those I weigh instead) but I wanted a bolder flavour and that’s what works best for me, very short steeps, lots of leaves. (Which I’ll be running out of real soon!!)
I would’t recommend it to someone not like a strong brew, but I know you do!
Are doing a 10 second steep on that? I’d like to try it how you recommend. :)
OMG i would never dream of recommending ANYTHING to you on this tea, madam!!!
But 10seconds is probably what I do, I never really count, I “estimate” to give people and idea. So yes, I would estimate 10sec for the first 3 steeps and increase by 10 also for the subsequents. And as I often do, I read while brewing, so I forget it and it becomes almost syrupy…But call me crazy, I still like it!!!
I haven’t tried this with your Wild mountain yet, but i will.
Well, I would love to try your method. I will give it a try tonight. For this tea and the TWMB, I normally just do a 1/2 gaiwan filled steep for 30ish seconds. I like the first steep to come out a bit strong. It will be interesting to try it this way. :)
Whoa, the 10 second steep with a full gaiwan is delicious! Excellent recommendation. Very malty but still sweet.
Phew! thanks for letting me know, lol, i was a little nervous that you might think I’m just a fool!!! So happy you liked it this way. Is it possible to ever mess up this tea i ask you???
It was absolutely delicious! Very different than what I normally do but I love how different it is. It reminded me of coffee a little bit in flavor though only what I would imagine coffee would taste like since I’ve only tasted like maybe twice in my life.
Yay! You’re right Stacy, it does bring more of coffee almost mocha feel to it!
Guess I’ll have to give this a try…
Sad, sad sipdown. (157)
My caffeine-free options seem to be dwindling by the minute. This is one I really enjoyed. the marshmallow leaf base makes this fluffy and sweet and helps to keep the mint from being over powering. Furthermore the chocolate in this is a nice milk chocolate flavor that helps make this creamy and smooth.
I may have been checking Butiki’s website daily (okay, hourly) waiting for Nutmeg Cream and Eggnog & Pralines to be posted. Once that happens I can place an order and get more of this tasty treat. Hopefully, I will also be able to add a fair amount of Birthday Cake to that order as well. Then I would be in caffeine-free heaven.
Flavors: Chocolate
Preparation
i’m guessing new teas may not be posted until stacy gets back from vacation
I know but I can still dream :P
Yea, last I heard it’ll be a bit before she can make some more Birthday Cake.
Then I will just have to stock up on this to hold me over
So, I am probably not supposed to mention this but the new teas will be posted on Monday. Monday is the last day to order before my vacation starts. So, it is possible to get teas before I leave. The birthday cake will probably be after vacation though unless I can get an accurate account of how much is needed to make today.
hahahaha
Oh? I’d sent you a note via Steepster Stacy, saying 8 oz (if I remember correctly? It’s been a bit). Was more wondering still if we needed to all order it through one person, or make our own orders. For me though it can wait – perhaps it can’t for VariaTEA! ;)
I do miss it but luckily I am a patiant person so I don’t mind waiting.
MissB-Just sent you a message. Sorry, my Steepster messages are kind of a nightmare at the moment. I just sent you a message. I’m trying to coordinate with a few other people that sent me private messages saying they would like to purchase some Birthday Cake.
Oh, would Hello Sweetie be showing up any time soon? :O
Cavocorax-We are doing a special preview for the month of February where anyone that purchases one of the Amoda blends will receive a 2 cup sample. Then starting in March it will be available full-time.
Awesome! :D Thanks
OMG is this ever good!
The lovely Sil sent me this pu’erh. I won’t give you an elaborated review of it, cause really, two main notes are the superstars here: chocolate and raisin (oh, chocolate covered raisins???) It’s so obvious, I find it almost hard to believe there’s no added flavouring to it.
I also get some buckwheat feel in the background.
I did a strong brew, cause the smell told me it could handle it. Yes, don’t laugh, the tea does talk to me sometimes, haha! (yeah, I do see a shrink for that, thanks for asking!)
So it’s a little astringent, and I like that, it acts as a flavour booster.
I know not many people appreciate astringency in a tea, I feel a little like an outsider :-(
Hello? anyone else out there who’s a fan?
Anyways, this feels round in the mouth, super rich and decadent. And I have some on the way, so it will be in my cup again really soon!
Sil, thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to try this beautiful tea…
i’m so glad you loved this! I like this brewed both western and gaiwan!
I used my yixing pot, but yes, I can imagine it working basket brew as well. It’s the kind of tea that’s very forgiving I think. Will give you a good cup no matter what :-)
I like well balanced astringency in a tea too… and yes, I do feel like an outsider sometimes as well. lol
Aw! Kamyria, so happy to have found a partner in this :-) That,s why I really like Darjeeling teas also.
But the key resides in what you said: balanced. I don’t like a squeaky mouth, lol!
I like a good dry tea sometimes, but it really depends on the type of tea. I didn’t think that was unusual.
This one is actually very smooth, it’s my over steep that made it a little astringent.
From the notes I read, it just seems that not many people appreciate that.
This is the most second most expensive keemun in teavivres arsenal and i think it might be the one i like least. Which, of course suits me just fine lol. The aroma of this one reminds me of taiwain teas that have that “juicy” sort of aroma.
Drinking this along, side grade 2 – it’s clear that grade 2 has much more smoke than this one. I think, the level of smoke lessens as you go up the ranks. While this one isn’t bad, drinking it next to the grade 2, i prefer the grade 2 for it’s seemingly smoother brew and smokier notes. Can’t wait to compare these to what i think will be my favourite from teavivre!
Preparation
What do you think is your favourite?
This was my first exposure to smoke. Scared me senseless for a time. Now I love experiencing different levels and layers of smoke.
The organic superfine is likely going to be my favourite :)
Sil,
FWIW, TeaVivre’s current prices:
– Premium Keemun Hao Ya 100g (3.5oz) = $15.90
– Organic Superfine Keemun Fragrant 100g (3.5oz) = $21.90
i see what i did there…wasn’t paying attention to 50g vs 100 :)
Wow, I’m surprised that their Premium Keemun Hao Ya was the lowest-rated of the four TeaVivre Keemun teas you tasted. I’ve found it to be a very enjoyable breakfast tea. I’m sure the organic certification adds to the cost of this Keemun compared to the two less expensive ones that are not organic.
I’ve been following your comparison with great interest as I’m only familiar with their Premium Keemun and have wondered how these four teas compare. To date, I’ve enjoyed nearly 1,700g of it. Perhaps our different impressions are due to brewing methods? From your tasting notes It looks like you prefer 212*F and a 3-minute steep. What quantity of water and tea do you use?
Sil,
Have you tried the following brewing parameters for Premium Keemun Hao Ya Black Tea?
8oz / 2tsp (8g) / 3 steeps: rinse,1m,2m,3m
http://www.teavivre.com/info/recommend-brewing-guide/#black
negative looseTman – i have enough issues getting around to drinking my puerhs with multiple short steeps, that when it comes to black teas i just want to be able to drink them western style with possible resteeps as long as the first. i’ll try that next time i pick up a few samples packs :)
The above parameters are TeaVivre’s western style brewing recommendations. With 194*F and shorter steeps, you’ll notice a smoother cup. More leaf provides a richer flavor, fuller body, and 3 steeps.
Seems like a few people had this one today.
I made up some in a timolino. Actually, I made up two teas in my timolinos because I wanted something I could stretch out over the evening and enjoy slowly instead of pounding back several smaller mugs and having to get up over and over to make more tea. I was feeling lazy and sleepy.
This was very good, especially since I used boiling water (I blame sleep brain). It was light and buttery with just enough apple in it. I wanted to drink it while watching Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy – but I ended up just watching Archer instead. So, it was a TV night – not a Movie Night, but this still seemed fitting enough.
Flavors: Butter
Preparation
Yes! Archer is so ridiculous.
I’m on Season 3 now :) Just finished the Cyborg Katya episode. Might take a break tomorrow and either rewatch old Bones episodes or old episodes of Numbers.
Ohhh, good call. I really need to catch up with that show.
I’m reading the 4th Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy now. Such an awesome series.
Moose Tracks smells gloriously gourmand. Like the ice cream! At least from memory. Very pungent coffee smell, which is so invigorating and tantalizing that I couldn’t resist brewing this when it’s so close to 9pm already. Where did the day go?
First sip sans additives and its coffee, coffee, coffee, with a tiny bit of cream. Like the coffee flavour you get from espresso ice creams.
With half and half, it really hits the spot. Not sure if I get the nuts? Maybe a little, but it’s vague. I went ahead and added some Kahlua because I kind of need to use it up. It’s pretty yummy.
I still think I prefer Bayswater’s Chocolate Macchiato, though. And their hazelnut blends. Hmm. Now there’s a mixing idea.
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I can’t wait to try this one. I mean, I can’t see what is not to like with it. :P
Yeah, it’s pretty good, and they offer such good deals on samples. You can’t go wrong with them.
Cavo is sending me some…
Yeah, I know, but since they have so many awesome blends to try, like the cacao ones, it makes for an exciting, yet very affordable, order.
When I first tried this tea I was in love. I thought it was the greatest tea in the world. Now, I can’t find the cream cheese icing I really enjoyed in my first few cups and the rooibos is stronger than I remembered. It is still tasty but not the carrot cake tea I fell in love with.
Preparation
Funny how our tastes change. Maybe try lowering the temperature next time? I tend to on my Della Terra rooibos blends.
I tried lowering it a bit but I will try lowering it again. I don’t mind it but something tells me I won’t get through the 4 oz I bought as easily as I anticipated.
Ouch.. 4 oz is a lot if your not liking it. I hope you figure out how to get it to taste how you remembered.
I like it, just don’t love it like I did when I first had it. Luckily it is caffeine free and since my options in that department are lacking, I am sure I will get through it eventually.
Beautiful Fresh, floral green oolong, rich toasted coconut, not an oily mess.
Seriously the best coconut oolong I’ve tried.
Flavors: Coconut, Cream, Flowers
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Oh no, I didn’t need to know this haha.
I’ll put the rest into your (seriously late) package. :D
It’s way way better than the DavidsTea one.
You don’t have to if you don’t have much! I wasn’t hinting haha. But that’s exciting to hear that it’s even better than David’s.
I just looked up how to get to the store. Holy. Seems like I’d have to dedicate half a day to go there, at least since I usually stay downtown.
It’s totally fine. It’s 20-30 minutes from my place, and I wanted to go out there again anyways. :) You take the 160 and it’s a short walk from the bus stop. But it’s super easy to get turned around in that area.
Sipdown no. 74 for the year 2014. A teabag from the work stash. (Oolong in a bag just seems weird to me because of leaf expansion and all.)
But wow. After yesterday’s not particularly successful vanilla oolong experience, this redeemed the flavored oolong genre for me.
This is a flavored oolong where I can actually taste the oolong, which is a green, buttery, floral one of the type I really enjoy. The mango, which was a strong fragrance before steeping, is much more of a team player in the aroma after steeping. I don’t find it to be overly strong in the flavor of the tea and in fact I’m not sure I would have identified it as mango, but some of that may have to do with the age of this teabag. There is a light, tropical fruit flavor though, and the mango becomes more pronounced in the finish and aftertaste.
Unfortunately, my water source at work is so far from my desk that I can’t easily do multiple steeps, but I’ve tasted enough to warrant giving this another try, if/when I come out of lockdown and order from Lupicia again.
Preparation
Drinking a small pot of this today. Smooth, mellow with earthy sweet potatoes and a bit of caramel.
The last time I drank this I got some citrus notes which I don’t get now; this is more lightly earthy… still really good and easy to drink, and I like it.
Steeped at 190F for 2 1/2 minutes.
Preparation
So maybe it is me and my lack of patience right now but it is next to impossible to post tasting notes since the update, when using my tablet. Posting this one was really!hard to do!!
I used to do quick updates from my phone, but it’s become pretty much impossible after the update, so I totally get this.
Thanks. I don’t think I’ll try again on the tablet – it was a test of patience that’s for sure, and even then, couldn’t add in the steep times etc.
I do a lot of zooming, and making notes in the tasting note itself. I did that before the update as well, but I’m finding it harder to do. :/
I did that before as well, but for some reason am unable to scroll to the bottom of the note or do any kind of controlled zooming now. It must be my tablet not cooperating with the new format. Also, when I posted the note it went to the black ‘put the kettle on’ page, but fortunately the note had posted when I went back to my dashboard. Hopefully the kinks will get worked out eventually though!
Just went to my laptop to see if I could add in the steeping parameters, and yes, much easier!
Interesting. I have an ipad/iphone, and can still zoom and scroll.
Mine is android so maybe that’s different? Or maybe my fingers just didn’t have the right touch today. ;-)
Probably the difference between android and ithing :)
haha – I think so! : )
Oh my gosh. i read roswell strange’s tasting note on this yesterday and realized it had been ages since I’ve had this. For some crazy reason unbeknownst to me, I somehow thought I was getting over this tea, but this morning’s cup was a resounding reminder that this indeed was not the case. I nearly gasped out loud after I took my first sip, and quickly pushed the cup toward Mr. Keychange to have a sip.
“My gosh!” he exclaimed, “What flavour is this one?”
“Aha!” I exclaimed on Stacey’s behalf, “it isn’t flavoured! this is just the great Taiwanese wild mountain black! doesn’t it taste like waffles?”
“Wow, so the tea just tastes like that?”
Which is exactly my own awe at this tea. I don’t know if there’s any left to order, but I sure hope there is, as I’ll be topping up very soon. Mmm. Creamy, honeyed waffle deliciousness, with the signature taste of black tea aftertaste. I seriously don’t know what was stopping me from having this more often!
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My utmost sads on your account concerning the Violet tea. <3
Oh, I know. I’m legitimately grieving that one.
I hoped you stocked up. Plus it might come back!
Ha ha ha… I had to re read the first sentence because at first I thought there was a strange tasting note I haven’t read yet.
Waffles! That’s a great description.
LOL! and anna, I hope and hope it’ll come back, but who knows. :(. And I’m definitely stocking up.
Oh is it out of Rostock again?
It’s in stock silly….
We still have plenty of the TWMB in stock. The Rose Violent Calendula is the one that is out of stock.
errr, Violet not violent.
Now I want some ‘Violent’ oolong \m/ ;)
I want violent tea also!!
I am laughing so hard at this…
I don’t know that I would want a tea with the word “violent” in it as in violently ill but I am now picturing some tea bushes robbing people at knife point.
Everything about this note and its ensuing comments amuses me.
Hahaha! Tea bushes robbing people. These comments are awesome. It works so well with this post I found http://funsubstance.com/fun/49946/violently-inserts-title/
I would be totally down with grappling with a tea bush, as long as it wasn’t too rough and if I could steel some buds to then turn into more rvc! mmm teabush!
lmao!!! Revenge of the tea bush.
These comments!! (Dying of laughter!)
love you guys..
I’ve been drinking this on and off at work for about a week now. This is FANTASTIC.
It’s dark and roasty, with out being in your face smoky. I don’t what else to say about it. It’s good, really good – up there with the best of the best oolongs I’ve tried. This is probably my 2nd favorite dark oolong. (Not quite sure why, but the liquid is a bit purple – a hint of mauve – very unusual, pretty cool)
Thank you so much yyz for sending me this sample.
Interesting about the mauve…
I opened this up because I thought it might be something you would enjoy trying. Now I have to try it.
yyz – if you like dark roasty oolongs – you should try it. I love it – thank you so much!!!
Morgana – dunno – it’s has just a hint of purple/mauve tinge to it, I haven’t seen that before.
I’ve been a cranky ragebot all week long for various reasons, but as one of those small silly things that can talk you off the ledge last night before bed I reminded myself I’d be able to try this today (and thanks boychik, your review today made me even more excited!). I was a tad worried I’d find it too mild and straightforwardly sweet potato like I was just talking about with Golden Monkey, but this is great, a lovely balance of that sweet smoothness tips give with more robust but still smooth malty dark flavor I crave. The cup color tells it; it isn’t that warm orange-gold-brown hue of the sweet potato teas but instead a deeper more burgundy-tinged affair, as I like. And as it cools there’s a lingering aftertaste of dark chocolate, yum—I imagine it comes from the very faintest hint of bitterness I crave giving it a depth of flavor, but the smooth sweetness the tips provide rounding it out. Was prepared to send a lot of this off to my IRL tea buddy or Steepsters who might lean towards the general Yunnan style if I didn’t love this but I do. So there’s a win for the day, woo small triumphs!
ETA this is a resteep champ, yes even Western style. Had a second cup, 5 minutes just like the first, just as good maybe in some ways even better (lighter yes, but sweeter too, and still with enough heft to make it deliciously satisfying). Woo hoo!
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That sounds awesome! I was totally trying NOT to buy this too, but your review is very persuasive!
Hehehe. ‘Ragebot’. The Ragebots. <3
Yay glad you did review it and like it. I get irritated easy myself lately . I blame winter for my mood swings. Good tea is the best remedy.
This just went on my shopping list too.
Sounds great !
Ok, I was trying to not buy this tea…thinking…it’s just tea…I guess I’ll be putting in my order as soon as I get back from walking the beast.
cavo…i haven’t ordered yet lol
haha, The Ragebots! i would spend a friday night going to see them play. (:
yes boychik, the weather for sure plays a part. and yes again to tea as the best remedy! well, and friends. (:
Backlog from yesterday…
Ahhh…Gongfu love in the afternoon…yes, being off work allows me to have tea sessions in the middle of the day if I choose to!
Dexter3657 sent me this generous sample. Me and milk oolong have a history. I have tried several, I like both the scented and the non scented version so I always keep a provision of both from two different companies. I thought I had find my favourite non scented milk oolong and have been sticking to it. Then came along Mandala, and all of a sudden we are caught in a love triangle. Yes this tea just blurred my focus, and made me question my current relationship.
First, the smell of the dry nuggets is quite interesting. It’s a mix of sweet and creamy, almost candy like. No sign of the strong dairy smell you get from a scented version.
As soon I took my first sip, I noted cotton candy on my pad. The sweetness I found in the first two steeps just evoked that. I get some nuttiness and creaminess, but not so much buttery notes. The milk oolong I’m used to is more floral than this one. This is fruitier.
At the 3rd steep, I got less sweets and a slight bitterness.
The 4th infusion brought the sweets back, some more present buttery notes and I got a very distinct fresh and clean mouthfeel, light camphor note, reminiscent of Ginseng oolong.
The subsequent steeps all brought their share of deliciousness and happiness. It eventually evolved in a more fruity and floral taste. I cold steeped the used leaves and 12 hours later, I’m having a delicious fruity and refreshing beverage. In conclusion, this tea is more complex than your average milk oolong. It transforms along the way, giving a lot of unexpected notes. Yet, the usual creaminess of such a tea stays present.
Thank you so much Dexter for this wonderful tea…I am grateful…but my budget might not be!
(Now, I have to hurt some other tea’s feeling by dumping it. Sorry, but a more exciting fellow milk oolong just came into my life and can’t be ignored!)
Love this. I know all teas are special in their own way, yadda, yadda, yadda, but if I want to confuse and intrigue a non-tea lover, this is where I start.
Can you love them both? Is there room in your heart, budget. cupboard for both?
I totally agree, Flowery!
Hmmm, Dexter, I could always keep them both, but it wouldn’t work out, I’m a one love kind of gal :-)
( says the girl with 300+ teas in the cupboard…)
Thanks for recommending them, I foresee a long and lasting relashionship with Mandala…Garrett, please to meat meet you, watch it, here I come :-)
Here I am, TeaFairy! A pleasure to make your acquaintance! I dig your review style.
Thanks!!!
One of the best is Garret! He has some fine teas over there.
Welcome to day 6 of little terri’s Sipdown Extravaganza!
Last night I stayed up late & totally re-organized my tea collection, updated my tea database, & I must admit, it was pretty out of control, but it’s looking good now! I have all my black teas organized into boxes, based on the location where they were grown :)
Yes, Ms Theresa spearheaded the whole project, & when she’s on, she gets some stuff done.
My true tea total is 356 teas…whew! Now on with the Extravaganza!
My first sipdown of the day, #35 (355 now!) is from my most recent box from my tea sister Sil. BTW, I compiled all the leftovers from the several boxes she has sent into one box, with little separators, so that I can easily find black, puer, or whatever!
This is a typical Mi Xian, with the honey & coriander taste.
Thanks Sil!
The thought of all that organizing makes
Me shiver with glee
I need to do to this badly. Someone tell my kids to start napping again so i can have a break in my day, ok?
Can I borrow Ms. Theresa…. ?
Do you count one serving samples in this number?
Sil & TB…sigh…now to make it last!
Dex, you’d have to fly me to your house, & let me live there for awhile. Ms. Theresa is very unpredictable, usually sleeping somewhere in the left quarter of my brain. It takes a lot to get her moving, I’m starting to think that she responds best to sleep deprivation & lots of caffeine :D
KS, the answer is yes. Many of these are single serving samples from friends like you :) Just enough to try a tea & see if it’s worth buying, right?
dexter…let meeeeee do it! will work for tea! i LOVE organising things… haha
:(( I live in the wrong part of the world. If I were closer I would let both of you come and “organize”, help yourself to “payment”.
I’ll probably post FB pics tomorrow, maybe. I take boxes that the tea comes in, cut off the flaps, & use them as file dividers…at least on some boxes! Other boxes are just crammed full of tea packages, with a label on the front that says something like, “Fujian”. Of course, on one of my tea cupboards, the top shelf is white & green teas, the 2nd shelf is all oolongs, & the next 3 shelves are packed with Black teas.
Then there are the Sheng & Shou…sigh…they have a special shelf in the other tea cupboard (there are 2 in my office now), & additional storage in my bedroom that I won’t bother to photograph. My family doesn’t need to know about THAT.
I really need to do this. My stuff is out of control organization wise. I have no idea how many I have. Probably 80% are 7g or less. Maybe after I do taxes. Of course my brain will be spent by then.
Taxes…that’s on my agenda too…:p
OOOH i could start my taxes this weekend..not that i have everything i need yet..
Tasting note no. 666. Cue Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEllLECo4OM
(The spooky Omen music starts at about 1:48 but you can knock yourself out and listen to the whole thing if you have an hour LOL.)
I had nothing with devil, diablo, diable, satan, lucifer, or such in the name so I decided to go the opposite direction, literally up rather than down. Hence the Temple of Heaven.
After I sampled this in my 31 flavor Golden Moon sampler I gave it a rating of 73 and added it to my order. It’s weird, though. Now I don’t think I’d order something unless I gave it a 75 or higher, and I’d probably only order a few teas ranked in the 70s as there are so many I’ve given more than 80 to.
But that’s easily solved on this one by bumping the rating a few points. I don’t have a lot to compare it to in the gunpowder sphere, but as a green tea, it’s a nice change from the lighter, more vegetal green teas I’ve been having lately. The smokiness, though light by Lapsang and even Keemun standards, is quite enjoyable on a rainy February evening.
I may regret drinking this at 9 p.m., but I was up against the 666 number and I didn’t see this as a first thing in the morning tea. Heh.
Night night all.
Hahaha! Love the evil dramatic music reference…I have it in my ipod, I do put it on sometimes and my dog starts howling like a wolf, so funny! Miss the omen, I love the darkness, mwahahaha!
hahahah on Carmina Burana ;p O Fortuna!
Hahaha! Was waiting for this one, and that’s perfect! ;-)
ha ha ha…. awesome note with a dramatic note! :D
Heh. It was fun to mix it up a bit. Glad you liked it. :-)
LOL. This was great. I’m listening to it at work and it’s making my mundane office stuff far more dramatic! :D
Hahaha!
Omg, I’m listening to this and it is tripping me out how dramatic my cats’ antics are with this playing. Love it!
Love how the cats and dogs react to this—LOL!
Sipdown #33!
It’s official, all of my students for the day (from 10am to 8pm) rescheduled their lessons. I guess we actually got about 6 inches of snow, so it’s no surprise. Meanwhile, I feel like I haven’t done anything of any real value today, although I did talk to a new student on the phone & set up her first lesson for this friday. I did a ‘Facetime’ lesson with one of my students so we wouldn’t have to schedule a makeup (which actually works out pretty good!), I returned phone calls & emails, shuffled papers around on my desk, and I drank a lot of tea! I have $75 in Amazon gift cards from my recent birthday, & I’ve been researching which variable temp electric kettle I want, cuz I really need one! I’m open for suggestions.
My newest batch of Root Kimchi is the best tasting, crispiest batch yet. If you’d like to see it, drop by my FB https://www.facebook.com/terri.langerak
This is from Autumn of 2012, by the way. It still tastes pretty good, but now it’s gone!
I love the kimchi updates!
http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Variable-Temperature-Electric-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40 I have this one and I love it! Also, your kimchi looks rad :D
I tried to cut each of the different veggies into their own shapes, just for fun. The burdock is in little matchsticks, the red radishes are whole with greens attached, the turnip is in triangles, the daikon in cubes, lol. I used to be really good at making carrot flowers, but now they are clumsy looking. No matter, it’s tasty! I’ll share small jars with a few people, & it will make them smile :)
ooh….thanks for the link, Stephanie! I like that one!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001DYERBK
I have this one and I’m very happy
I love your kimchi. Recipe pls
Wow, that snow can really throw a person through a loop, eh? That’s really generous of you to do Facetime sessions. :)
To be fair, some of my students do have a 45 – 60 minute drive to come for their lessons, so I don’t blame them for staying home! Stephanie, you & I will have matching teapots! I just ordered it! :)
Boychik, I promise the recipe tomorrow, which is really later today, LOL. I need to go to bed!
This is yet another matcha that I picked up in the “buy five, get two free” package that I am splitting with a friend. We chose the following options:
Size: Small (30g)
Matcha Quality: Classic (Basic Grade)
Matcha Type: Regular
Flavor Level: Delicate
Having tried and loved the raspberry and cream matcha (Thank you Sil), I was very excited when I saw this. Raspberries and cream are delicious but something about the combination of strawberries and whipped cream is just right.
When I was younger, my mother would take my sister and I to plays and afterwards she would take us to a fancy hotel for dessert. Soon the people at the hotel came to know us and they would have a nice big bowl of strawberries and whipped cream waiting for when we arrived. When I took a sip of this matcha, I thought this reminded me of that but I was wrong. This reminds me of something so much better…
Half a teaspoon of this matcha mixed with eight ounces of milk tastes exactly like a strawberry milkshake. I LOVE strawberry milkshakes!! Creamy, sweet, and delicious, what is there not to love? This captures that perfectly (minue the calories of course) and I could not be happier! If you are a fan of strawberry milkshakes, you need to check out this matcha here: http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/strawberries-and-cream-matcha.html
Flavors: Berries, Cream
Oh that sounds amazing!
This will definitely be reordered. This and Caramel Popcorn.
You should do white chocolate next – I’m curious about that one.
Haha I shall keep that in mind. I wrapped them all in tin foil and am storing them in the fridge so each time I grab a pack it is a surprise.
Good idea on the tin foil. My friend asked if we could do a matcha order soon, so now I need to narrow down flavours.
My matcha list is huge. But I think once I’m working again that’ll likely be the first thing I put an order in for. And then do a whole bunch of swaps :)
I am already planning my next order and I have SOO much matcha right now.
i think i have this one in the cupboard as well…i figured i’d like strawberry and cream more than rasberry..
I really need to acquire more of a taste for matcha so I can get through flavours quicker than my snail-like pace currently.
Thanks for reviewing this one! I had this one on my list but wasn’t sure if it would be worthwhile.
And about White Chocolate, it was tasty, but generically sweet and creamy, and I had robust level flavouring.
Dear Sil-
I regret to inform you that it appears as though I’m starting to enjoy pretty much every roasted oolong thrown my way. I don’t know if it’s because of their roasty deliciousness or because I can drink them at night without worrying about the caffeine. Or if it’s simply because they are new to me and unlike greens or whites, still have a strong flavor. I don’t know what’s happening, but I do promise to always love my straight black teas best.
Cheers-
Amy
p.s. you can blame your tea sister for this. She included this delicious tea a while back and my previous ambivalence towards oolongs kept me from trying it until now.
p.p.s Thanks Terri Harplady!
Roasting does things to the caffeine level?
Wondering the same thing.
sigh another one bites the dust…
Woot woot oolongs!
Yay for oolongs!! So what happens to the caffeine in roasted oolongs?
oh, I have no idea if roasting does anything, but I have noticed that i can drink roasted oolongs right before bed and still go right to sleep. might just be me!
what I’ve read is that caffeine levels are reduced due to the baking/roasting…
Glad you like it!
Sil, at least she’s not in love with the Earl! ;)
by that rationale aged teas that have received multiple roasts would be the best nighttime choice…
Earl’s would/will NEVER happen. I can’t even stand a light earl grey, even if I’m desperate. Just the thought makes my face cringe a bit.
Well, I’m a little happy and a little sad – for a couple reasons.
Tea related, I thought this was going to be a sipdown so I was excited to lower my number of teas but as I measured everything out I realized I had just enough leaf for two cups and I decided that I’d better not just overleaf because the flavour of this one is pretty damn strong. So that makes me sad about not getting in another sipdown, but happy because this is kinda growing on me (though still way too strong for an everyday tea), and it means I get more of Frank’s Banana ;)
But yeah – basically this is the spiciest tea I’ve ever encountered and I both love and hate that about it. it’s super peppery and definitely needs to be paired with something that can tone it down, in addition to the banana in the flavouring which already does that to some extent.
I would only recommend this to someone who really enjoys spicy things.
Also, the other happy/sad part comes from the fact I just finished all of the episodes of Bones currently on Netflix. I still have to watch the Season 9 episodes but without a regular computer it’ll take a while for me to do that. Now I need to find something else to spend my time watching on Netflix – since that’s what I do when I don’t have the computer. Maybe Nip Tuck? Anyone else watched that?
And – Tre also just made fun of me for eating popcorn with a spoon. I’m doing it for his sake, though. I didn’t want to get globs of butter all over his laptop.
We used to watch Nip Tuck. Very edgy for its time. Characters you love to hate, lots of stuff done for shock value, that sort of thing.
I also get sad when I finish a show on netflix. I just watched Firefly and that was good. I also enjoyed House of Lies. But both are only one season on Netflix. I also really like Heroes which they recently put on there. I have considered Nip/Tuck but never got around to it.
Tony & I just recently finished a month long obsession with the first 8 seasons of Supernatural. Now we’re playing catchup on all of our regular shows, including Bones. I loved Heroes, hahaha.
I’ve seen Heroes (watched that one live too – though I found it deteriorated), and Supernatural. I also watched Firefly ages ago, I may re-watch it. Breaking Bad, Once Upon a Time, and Merlin are also up for consideration.
I watch OUAT though it is pretty hit or miss. Breaking Bad is something I am considering as well. I watched a couple episodes of Merlin and didn’t really get into it. Though I did watch it with divided attention.
If only frank knew his banana was so popular….!;)
I like eating popcorn with chopsticks. :D
Adding salt?! Bizarre. I also never add things to my tea. :)
Well, never sweeten, or add milk/cream.
I add milk, but not often – and typically never as a first cup (unless it’s matcha). I also sometimes add club soda – but again, not for a first cup.
Club soda is an interesting addition. What teas do you add that to?
Roswell Strange, have you ever had a Monk’s Blend tea soda?!? I think that would be tasty. Also, apparently I have Monk’s Blend on the brain :P
Lately, I add it to matcha for matcha soda – but also fruit blends. I haven’t tried a Monk’s Blend soda yet, though.
Nuts! i’m sorry; I should have given you more, because I’m not a big fan, and I had more. I usually give enough for two normal-sized cups.
Neat! I’ll have to remember that. I’m always looking for ways to mix it up with matcha.
It is so neat if you add a tiny pinch of salt, or a somewhat larger pinch of sugar. It changes the tea so much. :)
@Kittenna No worries! 1 cup was more than enough (I got a good resteep too) – especially if I hadn’t liked it. I’m super skeptical of greens.
Adding salt is a good idea. When I added some maple syrup it didn’t do it for me. Maybe I’ll like it savory. Maybe I can send it your way. Let me know
i send you pm
I’ll add a pinch of salt to a hot chocolate, so this isn’t a totally crazy concept to me. (Though the idea of a latkes and applesauce tea is a bit; I’m very intrigued, and also I really wish I had some potatoes in the house to make actual latkes now!)