My first sampling of a Teavivre tea, and I am very impressed. First, I found the packaging impressive. There has been a little bit of chatter here on Steepster about the packaging, so I wanted to address that in my first Teavivre tasting note. This may not be as environmentally ideal as some other tea companies are … and I’d like to say that I definitely have great appreciation for those who strive for environmentally sound packaging. That being said, what I found so impressive about the packaging for this tea is this: it demonstrates a definite respect for the tea that is often lacking in other company’s packaging choices. And, I have to say that I love it when I find a tea company that truly respects a tea like this. It shows me that they aren’t all about the bottom line (while that is important to any company) and that the quality and integrity of their product is at least just as important.
This tea is a fantastic Keemun. I love a good Keemun: smoky (but not too smoky), rich and flavorful. This Keemun has a nice smoky presentation which is strongest in its scent, but doesn’t overwhelm the flavor and muddy its complexity. A really comforting tea and yet it is also quite invigorating and bold.
I taste hints of a smoky caramel flavor, with a slight fruity character underneath the bolder, smoky tones. The fruity flavor is almost wine-like, similar to some other Keemun teas that I’ve tried, but this one is different in that it has a more distinct presence to it … a more hearty background of flavor to support the somewhat light wine-y tones.
Certainly one of the very best Keemun teas I’ve ever had the opportunity to try.
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I thought I noticed some wine like notes once or twice when drinking H & S HY B, but didn’t note it b/c those “notes” seemed to be playing hide and seek with me. :))
I received a swap RUINED by tea that wasn’t packaged well enough. One tea scented all the others and muddled the whole box! I am thankful for the way my samples came! I understand that the portions in each sample pack may not be exactly the amount everyone wants to use at that time, but I figured that was okay since they were free samples! :)
One of my samples from Teavivre had a very strong, natural fragrance, and it would definitely have influenced all the other teas with it if it hadn’t been so well packaged. I think the tiny pouches are only because we are getting their sample sizes. I expect a “real” order would be double packaged still but the inner pouch would be a single, larger pouch rather than all those little ones. I think they were being generous with us and giving us several samples each to try, and were indeed respecting their tea enough to care about preserving its real flavor and aroma. No disrespect intended to those who think otherwise! I’m just saying’…
Jim: I agree, these are great teas! Some of my samples are double packed but not in small portions, just an inner and outer pouch. No way they would have gotten here untainted by the others in the box if they were not packaged thus. I save my tins, redecorate, relabel, do whatever I can to be earth friendly, but I don’t see how they could send these more fittingly than they do. I can’t wait to try more of them. There is a puer on the way that I’m particularly stoked about!
My thoughts (and what inspired my comments on this tasting note) were not so much the tainting issue but other issues.
First of all, I’ve had some of those outer Mylar/foil pouches break open in transit. With the double package that isn’t ever an issue.
Second, and most importantly in my opinion (as a former tea purveyor), is the cushioning of the product. Using the double pouch keeps the tea safer from the possibility of crushing during transit.
The tainting is a whole other issue, and it is an important one, but, I am of the belief that the heavy outer pouch may have been sufficient to protect against that (so long as there is no breakage as I mentioned before).
My main idea that I was trying to get across is that tea is a delicate and valuable thing, and I like that this packaging from Teavivre (whether it was intended or not) demonstrates a certain respect for the tea’s delicate nature.
LiberTeas, I agree with everything you just said.
“Certainly one of the very best Keemun teas I’ve ever had the opportunity to try.” Agreed!
I thought I noticed some wine like notes once or twice when drinking H & S HY B, but didn’t note it b/c those “notes” seemed to be playing hide and seek with me. :))
I received a swap RUINED by tea that wasn’t packaged well enough. One tea scented all the others and muddled the whole box! I am thankful for the way my samples came! I understand that the portions in each sample pack may not be exactly the amount everyone wants to use at that time, but I figured that was okay since they were free samples! :)
One of my samples from Teavivre had a very strong, natural fragrance, and it would definitely have influenced all the other teas with it if it hadn’t been so well packaged. I think the tiny pouches are only because we are getting their sample sizes. I expect a “real” order would be double packaged still but the inner pouch would be a single, larger pouch rather than all those little ones. I think they were being generous with us and giving us several samples each to try, and were indeed respecting their tea enough to care about preserving its real flavor and aroma. No disrespect intended to those who think otherwise! I’m just saying’…
Jim: I agree, these are great teas! Some of my samples are double packed but not in small portions, just an inner and outer pouch. No way they would have gotten here untainted by the others in the box if they were not packaged thus. I save my tins, redecorate, relabel, do whatever I can to be earth friendly, but I don’t see how they could send these more fittingly than they do. I can’t wait to try more of them. There is a puer on the way that I’m particularly stoked about!
My thoughts (and what inspired my comments on this tasting note) were not so much the tainting issue but other issues.
First of all, I’ve had some of those outer Mylar/foil pouches break open in transit. With the double package that isn’t ever an issue.
Second, and most importantly in my opinion (as a former tea purveyor), is the cushioning of the product. Using the double pouch keeps the tea safer from the possibility of crushing during transit.
The tainting is a whole other issue, and it is an important one, but, I am of the belief that the heavy outer pouch may have been sufficient to protect against that (so long as there is no breakage as I mentioned before).
My main idea that I was trying to get across is that tea is a delicate and valuable thing, and I like that this packaging from Teavivre (whether it was intended or not) demonstrates a certain respect for the tea’s delicate nature.
LiberTeas, I agree with everything you just said.
“Certainly one of the very best Keemun teas I’ve ever had the opportunity to try.” Agreed!