World Market

Third steeping of the same leaves == weak cuppa. Oh well, it was tea. And we all know tea == good.

Better with a bit of sugar.

Much better the second time I brewed it. Still over-steeped a bit.

Not a very high quality tea. Next time I’ll try brewing it in smaller quantities and following my own timing for the tea, as it steeped to astringency in only a minute or two, using fewer leaves than directed.

The dark twisty leaves of this tea unfurl to brew a very light golden liquor. A very light vegetal flavor blends with a slight nutty/earthy richness. There’s something almost ‘crisp’ about this brew, it would probably make a great iced tea. I didn’t feel it needed any sugar added due to it’s light nature and lack of any bitterness.

China is the land of green, I know, but I love the blacks. This was a gift from a co-worker, and it’s keeping me wide-eyed and alert during my Christmas shift today. Brews up dark and hearty, with a real caffeine kick.

Very nice rich taste. Not bad for World Market, and the fact that I can get this in town and not have to order online.

Last night my boyfriend’s aunt put a box of this tea in my Christmas stocking. I was so touched that she actually remembered that I like tea :-p Maybe she just asked my boyfriend behind my back, but it was still a great choice!

So I don’t have a refined tongue that can tell the difference between one sencha or another, but this is definitely the best I’ve had in a tea bag form. The flavor is strong with only a single minute’s steep, which is fantastic. It’s green and vegetal, with that fabulous roasted grass flavor. (Well, that’s the best way I can think to describe green tea to other people :-p ) I imagine drinking this tea with milk and I think it’d taste like green tea ice cream. If I had some milk, I’d try that out right now.

It’s really neat to see how the tea leaves expanded in the pyramid bag. When it was dry, the little leaves barely filled a third of the bag’s space. Now, after soaking for a minute, they’re pushing against the walls of the bag on all sides. There’s a lot of little fannings, but there’s some nice big leaves too. Pyramid bags are so cool – you can see all the action clearly!

I mean, loose leaves should always be the way to go, but for convenience it’s hard to argue with a teabag, and this World Market store brand ain’t half bad.

World Market’s Ti Kuan Yin brews a very light cup, in respects to its bright yellow liquor as well as its flavor. The earthy green hints are complemented nicely with nuances of plum and other fruits, creating a very light body great for sipping. Infusing this tea multiple times will produce several great cups, each with its own subtle uniquities.

This tea brews up a lovely amber color and has a subtle malt flavor. Hints of earthyness add to the boquet. Overall a good cup, but not the best Yunan Provence tea I’ve tasted.

Advertised as having a “juicy mouth feel!” Lives up to its claim, I guess

I drink this bad boy all the time. It’s so rich and yummy. I actually made a cake using the tea. Pretty freaking delicious.

Mercy, this is a great tea.
More of a after dinner tea, but I’ll drink it whenever I damn well want.

As fragrant as it is delicious.
I had two cups.