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SimplyJenW

206 Followers / 174 Following

Huang Shan Mao Feng Green Tea from Teavivre

SimplyJenW drank Huang Shan Mao Feng Green Tea by Teavivre

Tea of the late morning……

I have my last round of samples from TeaVivre. This time I requested things I am considering buying, and they were very accommodating. I am very grateful for this tasting opportunity, and I am so looking forward to purchasing the next season of teas, as I am sure I have a backlog of greens from them at home to drink before they expire. This was my chance to really explore some Chinese green teas, and I am finding that all of my preconceived notions about green tea were so wrong. I don’t know why I assumed it would be otherwise, as my thoughts on tea in general have been completely rewritten, and lean nearly in the complete opposite direction as they did before I tried loose leaf. I think the green teas I had tried in the past were low quality and poorly prepared. Now, I am surrounded by high quality green tea, and I have learned a thing or two about preparation. These things have made a huge difference!

This tea is very nice. The leaves are very long and thin. They are a deeper green than the Premium Dragonwell, but still in the green range rather than leaning brown. It is hard to measure the right amount of tea, because the leaves are so long! My first mug was a little light on the leaf, but still enjoyable. For the second infusion, I added a little more leaf, and now I have something very good. The liquor is a light yellow-green. There are very light floral notes as well as light notes of asparagus (kind of like the long jing), but there is not the buttery-ness from the long jing. I guess you could call this an addition of floral notes, but minus the buttery notes in comparison to long jing. It is still not as floral as a Tie Gwan Yin, but lovely and light. Not even a hint of bitterness, and oh so smooth. I can see why it is one of China’s top teas. Definitely on the shopping list.

Mug method at 180, roughly two tsp of leaf (I may need the scale next time!). No additions.

2012-03-08 12:01:54 -0500

180 °F / 82 °C

2 min 0 sec

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Uniquity 2012-03-08 12:49:31 -0500

Everytime I see the word ‘Teavivre’ I imagine the Bailin Gongfu. I need to finish up my samples so I can place an order for a couple items. This company definitely knows how to woo customers with generosity and excellent tea to back it up!

K S 2012-03-08 17:14:25 -0500

What do you consider to be your first high quality loose leaf? I had Golden Moon Coconut Pouchong a couple years ago and knew it was great but wasn’t experienced enough to realize what I had. Last years visit to Empire Tea Services was my tea changing moment. I got 4 teas and was blown away by all of them.

SimplyJenW 2012-03-08 17:30:47 -0500

KS- That is a tough one. I really wanted dessert flavor teas to help me with getting healthier in my life. After asking lots of questions and doing lots of review reading, I ordered my way though samples of Adagio’s offerings first. There it was probably Fujian Baroque, English Breakfast (Keemun), and Golden Monkey that I loved the most, even with all the fun I had blending their flavored teas. Then I switched mostly to Harney and Upton (I still purchase from both places.) I think the first seriously swoon-worthy tea was probably Harney Keemun Mao Feng. Really, I probably have Adagio to thank for my love of Chinese black teas even though I buy them elsewhere, now. I also probably have Harney to thank for my love of Earl Grey. And all the credit for the love of green teas goes to TeaVivre.

I did just buy some Earl Green from Empire Tea Services!

K S 2012-03-08 17:46:10 -0500

I think TeaVivre did just as much and probably more for my view on black tea.

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Tea enthusiast, trying to keep up my cardio for the zombie apocalypse. I have come to accept that I am a western brewing black tea drinker as that is where my ‘tea heart’ lies. I started on loose leaf as a way to have my dessert and not suffer the caloric issues. Once I tried it, I was hooked.

I drink what I like, which is mostly China blacks, traditionally scented blacks and Earl Greys, plus a few other flavored teas. I don’t mind spending a bit on premium varieties on occasion, but an expensive tea has to deliver. My favorite places to order are Harney & Sons and Upton Tea Imports. TeaVivre is great for Chinese tea.

My ratings are pretty subjective. If it falls under 70, I may not take the time to post about it unless I had something specific to say. If it is 70-80 I like it, but I will probably not rebuy. Favorites are over 80 and up, but sometimes the less expensive or more easily obtainable version of a similar taste will win out for my cupboard space.

Usual teapot steeping method: 24 oz teapot, 3 perfect scoops of tea (4 1/2 actual tsp), freshly boiled water, 4 minutes. Lightly sweetened.

Usual mug steeping method: 15 oz mug, 1.5 perfect scoops of tea (just over 2 actual tsp), freshly boiled water, 4 minutes. Lightly sweetened.

Usual pan method: 1 1/2 cups water, 2 perfect tsp chai (3 actual tsp). Simmer for 3 minutes. Add 2/3 cup skim milk. Simmer for 2 more minutes. Strain and sweeten.

Usual pitcher method:
5 or 6 Perfect Spoons of tea (this means about 7-9 actual tsp), freshly boiled water, brewed essentially double-strong in my 24 oz teapot for 4 minutes. Fill my Fiestaware Disc pitcher (about 60 oz.) halfway with ice. Add brewed double-strong tea to the pitcher. Stir it a little and enjoy. No additions.

(*SRP is my Sample/Stash Reduction Plan starting on April 12, 2012. I got so far, but just decided it was too fussy to keep track.)