Donna A

Donna A drank Laoshan Black by Verdant Tea

I forgot to log this for some reason, but just as well, since my opinion has changed. Most reviewers have found it superb, but initially for me, brewed Western style, it was not a favorite, not that it is not a quality tea-I was comparing it to Golden Fleece, which I adore, and decided Laoshan black was a little too strong for my tastes. Today, I am drinking it Gongfu style for the second time with 5gm/4-5 oz boiling water, and very short steeps as instructed on the package. Gongfu style has made all the difference. I have been enjoying cup after cup (Verdant says you can get 15 steepings this way). I have discovered it is really worth trying both styles of brewing. When I don’t have time to linger with multiple steepings, it is nice to be able to brew Western, but when I have time, I’ve had some great experiences with traditional Chinese brewing, that is lots of leaf and short steeps. So yes, I like this tea! Would I re-order? Yes. And by the way, it is very nice brewed double strength with ice added. I’m curious about the Laoshan Village Chai-it is next on my list to order.

2012-10-26 13:02:18 -0400

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Bonnie 2012-10-26 13:24:17 -0400

Very smart. I have learned to give tea the benefit of the doubt and try it many ways. More often than not, there is a platform that is best and I have to find it. You did a great job.

Donna A 2012-10-27 00:38:39 -0400

Yes Bonnie, and I’m especially motivated to do that when I see that a tea is receiving so many favorable comments. I also like to read tips from people if they have found a particular way that works best.

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Tea has become a recent passion of mine. I fell into it almost by accident, but now I would say it has captured me. Tea is more than something tasty to sip on, it is an experience-it helps create a mood and is quite interesting to read about and study. I discovered loose tea at the tea store at my mall. I was looking for alternatives to Coke Zero and white wine. Say what you will about that mall chain, but I’m sure it has raised awareness about tea where I live, in the land of bagged mass produced black tea prepared with lots of sugar, Atlanta, Georgia. That’s what happened with me, and then I started perusing the internet and found Steepster.

When I take on an interest or a hobby, I go into it full force and become a little obsessive about it in the beginning. I have always been adventurous when it comes to trying new foods, and once I discovered there was so much more out there than the Lipton tea I saw my mom drinking when I was growing up, I started trying many different varieties of loose tea. I have discovered I like all kinds of tea. Some of the teas I seem to be craving the most are good black teas, but it depends on my mood. I love something like Golden Fleece, a Dian Hong from Verdant. I also appreciate quality greens and oolongs and have enjoyed some pu-erh as well. Whites are often a little too mild for my taste, unless flavored. I still drink flavored teas quite often, but lately, I have veered a lot toward straight teas. I like flavored matcha lattes too. I don’t consider myself qualified to judge quality. When I rate a tea, it’s just my personal taste, so I don’t tend to post on things I don’t care for. Also, I tend to sweeten my tea with natural stevia (a no no for some!) I am a married Registered Nurse, with two kids in college and one in medical school. Two of them enjoy checking out my teas when they are home, sometimes with their friends. My husband is not hooked like I am, but he often enjoys a cup with me. I enjoy many other interests, including reading, gardening, the arts, and the outdoors. Anytime I can include tea in these pursuits, I do! It has become a bit of an obsession for me.