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SimplyJenW

206 Followers / 174 Following

Yun Nan Dian Hong Black Tea – Golden Tip from Teavivre

SimplyJenW drank Yun Nan Dian Hong Black Tea – Golden Tip by Teavivre

Tea of the morning…….

This is the last black in the teas sent for review by TeaVivre. Thank you so much for the opportunity to try your teas. (A green and an oolong to go!)

This is a beautiful tea. It has long golden fingers with a bit of a sheen and downy fuzz. It appears to be the very tenderest part of the plant. The smell is rich and slightly earthy. I do think Yunnans are a coffee drinker’s tea in that the flavor is full, slightly malty, and roasty. This one is a very smooth example. I did initially think I might have gone a little light on the leaf in my teapot, but the richness of this tea easily overcame that. This is definitely going on my shopping list. It is probably the best Yunnan I have had to date.

I did follow the steeping recommendations on the package.

I was contacted by the company to offer free samples and since others had been reviewing free samples from them, I decided it would be a good way to see what the company was about. Part of what made me pause in thinking of placing an order is that there really is no option on their website to purchase samples, so you really cannot know what you are getting, and then there is the meeting of the free shipping…(which I now know they ship to the US for around $6 for orders below$30). I have to be quite frank in that I do prefer to purchase my samples rather than getting them free as I think it lends more credibility to my review. I do think samples along with an order is another great inroad for reviews, but I know it is hard to break through for that first sale. I have tried to be as unbaised as possible in my reviews of the teas sent, but it is really hard to know for sure. I do feel a need to make sure I try all of them sent in a timely manner, which is not how I usually approach tea. I usually let my mood guide me rather than I ‘have to try these first’ as a courtesy for TeaVivre’s sending them to me. All I can say is that I will defintely be ordering in the near future if that is any indication. The sample offering worked to make me want to be a customer, because the tea does speak for itself.

2012-01-04 06:32:33 -0500

195 °F / 90 °C

3 min 0 sec

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LadyLondonderry 2012-01-04 09:52:54 -0500

Appreciate your “full disclosure,” Jen, as the average would-be customer will not receive samples for free and, as you noted, has no way of buying them either. With tea as with perfume, it is my policy to always try before buying if possible (although with tea, the mistakes are not quite as expensive!).

ashmanra 2012-01-04 10:04:31 -0500

I will definitely be ordering, too, Jen! The Two Dragons and a Pearl Flowering tea was lovely AND delicious, the puer is mild and earthy/horsey instead of fishy, and the tea in this review had remarkable qualities…and all without additions.

ScottTeaMan 2012-01-04 11:47:31 -0500

This tea will also be in my Teavivre order.

K S 2012-01-04 16:45:37 -0500

Has any one asked if the samples can be purchased? I loved almost every tea I tried and liked those I didn’t love (make sense?). However some I would only want one rare occasions making 50 or 100g too much.

I worried a bit about the impartial thing too but quickly decided these teas are so good it wasn’t going to be an issue. The bigger problem is my lack of experience.

These folks have given away tea all over the internet. Can you imagine the start up costs for this company?

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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.)