Michelle Butler Hallett

Michelle Butler Hallett drank China Green Tips by Tazo

1 full-leaf sachet for 400mL water (I think — great big mug at Starbucks), bare. I do not recommend the steep time I’ve recorded below.

(Backlogging.)

Starbucks keeps their hot water just under the boil, but it should be a little cooler for greens. I also lost track of time and left the sachet to steep waaaaayyyy too long. Like, a good 10 minutes. Yikes.

That said: I really like this green blend. Vegetal, for sure, though it gets briney if you leave it too long, like I did. Some creaminess and some sweetness. I can see this tea getting very bitter if the water is too hot, and it’s almost too hot at my local Starbucks. I’d suggest max 3 minutes steeping, and, if you’re at home, water below 90 degrees.

Treat this tea for the delicacy it is, and it should repay you with a quite acceptable and enjoyable China green liquor.

2011-03-13 12:55:57 -0400

200 °F / 93 °C

8 min or more

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heatherwassing 2011-03-14 02:31:16 -0400

I LOVE the crushed-up garbage bags of China Green Tips, but I can’t stand the new full-leaf silky bags of it. I was so disappointed in them.
I can’t get enough of the green vegetable brothiness of the original. I always found that a 4 minute steep at Starbucks’ tea-water temperature left me completely satisfied.
I miss my grotty old China Green… (You’re good with tea; do you know of an equivalent at David’s?)

Michelle Butler Hallett 2011-03-14 06:51:53 -0400

Why, thank you. “Good with tea” — I like that. Sounds nicer that “insanely obsessed with tea.” ;)

I’m much more familiar with the Japanese greens and am only now getting into the Chinese greens (and blacks), so I doubt I’m the best person to ask.

I haven’t found a match or equivalent for Tazo’s China Green Tips at David’sTea, but then I also don’t have access to a bricks-and-mortar DT store. There might be one. If I were going shopping at DT’s, I’d try their Qui Feng (although that one’s described as sweet and smoky) or Yun Cui.

I have a Dragonwell (Boston Tea Company) that reminds me of China Green Tips … but it’s not really the same. An excellent Dragonwell, though.

Sometimes you can find the old-style Tazo teabags at Loblaws (Dominion here in NL) and the Bulk Barn. I haven’t seen the China Green Tips in those stores, but then I haven’t gone looking for it, either.

Really hope you find some … or a replacement. The perfect cup of tea is so precious.

Welcome to Steepster, an online tea community.

Michelle Butler Hallett

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