cynwin

What happened? I haven’t tasted “bad” tea since I pulled a bag of Lipton from water poured by a coffee carafe on an airline. I’m an oolong fan and have played with them all, but steep after steep, I was treated to a lovely light sensation that promised li shan, then dropped me with the thud of a taste I can only describe as dirty metal. This is not cheap stuff. Did I wind up with a poor crop? I was hoping to visit again and splurge on the Li Shan Wu Ling, but no more. Sadness.

For me, the best Ceylon out there and I’m a loose leaf snob. I’m not quite sure why bergamot is mentioned in the tea description on Steepster, but I can tell you that there is NO bergamot in this tea. They save that for their English Afternoon. Caramel sweetness, nice bloom, mild astringency. I agree with the other taster that this is morning stuff. I don’t know why but it seems to be very high in caffeine.

I tend more toward flavor and quality than “name,” but this delivers on all counts. Eight black teas carefully blended to produce one amazing cup of tea. I also tend toward single source over blends, but this breaks the rule again. Caramel-like sweetness, loaded with aroma, and a subtle kick that pleases. The blender deserves an award, or at least a meal at The Fort.

The gold standard. Pay a bit more but count on consistency. This is the only Li shan I have tasted that blossoms after the floral notes to reveal amazing base notes of lychee and citrus. Bliss.

Best herbal substitute for black tea. Exceptional iced tea in summer. Loves to be dressed up with a squeeze of lime.

My tried and true friend. With me daily, consistent quality from Harney’s (I can say this about all of their teas I enjoy), a sweet vibrant nectar I adore both tasting and looking at. Life exists for moments with this tea.

Thank you Upton! You’ve taken my favorite white tea, once offered only by Rishi Tea for a very pretty penny ($10 for 50 grams) and made it an affordable daily luxury. Yes, the wonderful linden-like aroma is still there with the dominant tone of honeydew melon. Steep this white longer and it begins to resemble a top-notch early spring darjeeling. Have fun.

Go ahead, pay an arm and a leg for an incredible dancong oolong. But tell me, does it beat this rival that costs only 6.50 per ounce (yes, in the land of dancongs that is a bargain)? I’ve paid more and found smokiness and often intense briskness (unusual in an oolong), but never the lovely hints of grain, stone fruit, and honey at the strength that is present here. Sold.

Hands down, best long jing on the planet. No smokiness or bitter chestnut, just mellow toastiness with a light chestnut aroma that reveals a floral, perhaps orchid, aftertaste . And the price is great to boot! Viva la Teavivre.

*tip: buy copious quantities in the spring.

This is a hidden treasure. $8 per ounce for Li shan oolong and no shipping fee? I was ready for disappointment. Instead, a beautifully fresh and fragrant Li shan with 4-5 nice steeps. Granted, I prefer winter Li shan, but this spring offering is delightful. Lighter, with the floral component coming in the later and longer steeps. Thank you, iTeapot.

I fell in love with this oolong in Paris and have been pursuing it ever since. Very light floral notes yield to a body that fills the mouth with a very creamy bloom. This is the first Li Shan I have tasted that had notes of jasmine on the 2nd-4th steeps. What a treat! Now comes the wonderful news, this tea is usually found at $12-15/oz. Life in Teacup brings it to you for half the price. Plus, the second and third steep only improve.