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Autumn Hearth

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Autumn Hearth drank Yunnan White Jasmine by Verdant Tea

Oh dear gods, this jasmine, I don’t know where to begin! I used to think I liked jasmine when I first started working at Teavana, I didn’t like the silly blend they sampled, but the green pearls, scented oolong and Body & Mind (white, green pearl and tieguanyin blend) were some of my favorite indulgences, that is until I started having issues that first month or two with coughing due to tickles in my throat that I think I pinpointed to the jasmine teas, but then again it could have been severe nerves. So I gave up drinking jasmine at work, though I had to taste test the blend every morning I opened as it was a very temperamental tea.

So ever since then I have been hesitant about jasmine. I got an earlier harvest of this in my first or second order from Verdant, it was in the Budset Tasting Kit. I brought it into work as one of the girls loves jasmine and silver needle and was interested in trying teas from other companies. Now this was a day I was feeling really dizzy, I believe I actually had my brother in law pick me up because no one wanted me to drive. But I had our barista brew this up for Diane and I (and yes I let him have some too) then gifted her the rest of the leaves. She loved it, I remember it was really lovely despite not ideal brewing conditions (the water at work isn’t really that good and the teamakers get cruddy, go figure!).

Since that time I have ordered and fell in love with Verdant’s Eight Treasures Yabao, which also has jasmine in it, in fact it tastes to me like the same jasmine in this, so airy and fresh and cool and like lilies and so not perfumey, soapy or astringent. Can anyone at Verdant confirm that this is the same jasmine? Either way, the Yunnan silver needle it is with is amazing, sooo silky and sweet and with just a touch of cinnamon and pine, absolutely top notch.

So I used to think I liked jasmine, but this jasmine, this jasmine I adore! I’m going to do some tests to make sure I don’t have a reaction, which means drinking lots of this and talking to the husband who is on his way home. But if I don’t then I am definitely stocking up on this, it is the jasmine I want to have in my cupboard. I’m so glad I requested a sample of this and highly recommend everyone try this, as you can see for yourself from other’s tasting notes, many who are not jasmine fans love this, including the sourcing agent for this! It is giving me one of those rare spiritual tea experiences, well part spiritual, part sensual (you know when you sip a tea and your eyes roll back? Teasgasm!) and a little bit of tea drunkeness as well (similar to the effect of Yabao for me which is also at the top of my to stock up on list). Swoon

2012-08-15 18:02:11 -0400

175 °F / 79 °C

0 min 15 sec

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tigress_al 2012-08-15 19:06:38 -0400

Wow, what a review! I am awaiting this tea in my very first verdant order. I love jasmine, so expect to love this one! Hurry up Verdant!!

Invader Zim 2012-08-15 22:19:52 -0400

This has been some of the very best jasmine I have ever had if not THE best. The only jasmine tea that comes close is Teavivre’s jasmine teas, all of which are just as ah-maze-ing!

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Druid, artist, poet, mum, lover of tea, ritual and myth. I grew up on Celestial Seasons herbals but fell in love with straight loose leaf tea working at my local Teavana for a year. I am grateful for the introduction and the experience, but have moved on.

I see tea as an experience for the senses, I like to imagine tasting the land and the weather as well as the effect of sun, air, fire and the human hand. I have a soft spot for shu pu’er, yabao, scented oolongs, wuyi oolongs, taiwanese tea as well as smooth naturally sweet blacks, creamy greens and surprisingly complex whites.

I began ordering lots of samples from Upton to educate myself on different varieties of tea we didn’t have at work and have fallen head over heels for the unique offerings from Verdant Tea. I am learning things I like: buttery mouthfeel, surprising sweet or spice notes, woodiness, mineral notes, depth and complexity and things I don’t: astringency, dry and sour notes.

I collect tea tins and am in danger of collecting pots, though I am trying to restrain the urge due to current lack of space. I brew mostly in a glass infuser mug or a tea maker, only using cast-iron for company now (still need to get a gaiwan) and tend not to sweeten my teas unless they are British or fruity and iced, which is not often.

As far as ratings, I lack a definite system and haven’t been assigning numbers lately, wanting to spend multiple sessions with a tea first. I usually only log a tea once, unless it is a new harvest or I have significantly different observations, but will go back and edit or comment if I find something interesting or new.