New Tasting Notes
Please don’t pair this with anything, just enjoy on its own. Full review here: http://snooteablog.com/2013/07/07/snooty-tea-review-chai-diaries/
Jasmine Silver Needle White Tea (Mi Lo Yin Zhen), hello. As soon as you open the bag you’re getting the jasmine. It’s a real perfume–no literally, it smells like a lady sweating out an incense store and for the love of whatever deity you find holy it’s coming out of every pore. Ma’am, why the hell are you trying so hard? What’s there to cover up? You’re a beautiful young white tea, there should be nothing to be ashamed of. This overwhelming odor tones down in the cup, thank god.
Boy, this is not a tea for floral haters. Or even floral dislikers. It is flower power hour here and kids, we’ve got no choice but buckle up and take it. Now, if you do like florals–you crazy cats, you–this tea will be divine. It is resoundingly petalriffic. The jasmine coats your mouth with every sip, imprinting the aftertaste on your palate, while the sip itself contains notes of melon–cantaloupe, to be precise–and honeysuckle. This isn’t a little girl of a tea. Jasmine Silver Needle is a full-fledged, D-cup woman. A real dame, in the slightly abrasive 40′s sense of the word. Any dudefolk drinking this tea may console themselves by thinking of the White Peony warrior in his manly pursuit of flowers, and thus preserve their masculinity.
Full review here: http://snooteablog.com/2013/07/05/snooty-tea-review-teavivre-round-2/
This oolong is from the Reserve TOMC, January.
The leaves of this one are so beautiful, with a rich burgundy cast to them, & of course they are wild looking! The aroma today reminded me of peaches, maybe roasted peaches, & red fleshed plums.
The warm aroma of this one is so heady with fruit & a hint of cinnamon, & the tea itself has such a juicy fruity flavor, again of peaches & plums. My mouth is left with a sweet stone fruit aftertaste, like I just ate a bowl of cobbler. This tea also makes me think of umeboshi plums.
Later the flavors are briefly chocolate & fruit, & then as the leaves wane, more of a mineral taste, but even then there is a lightly salty rich brothiness to it. This has been a beautiful tea, & I only have enough to enjoy it one more time, but enjoy it, I will!
Normally this one works very well for me but I think cold-steeping it might have been a bad decision – black tea doesn’t seem to take too kindly to being drunk iced with no sugar, for me, and this was no exception. Overly perfumey when cold, even slightly artificial! Sorry, Rose Garden, I’ll have to continue drinking you hot ):
Preparation
Da Hong Pao (Big Red Robe) Wuyi Rock Oolong Tea comes out of the bag with a dried plum fragrance overlaid by the mineral-y soot of its origin. It seems to promise crimson fruit flavors like red delicious apples and heirloom tomatoes–can’t forget those are fruit, too. In the cup, the fruit gets kicked to the curb as the tea brings in golden sweet sesame to play. We’ve got that wonderful Wuyi nuttiness waiting to happen, but these nuts have been barely toasted, only enough to ripen their flavor but not enough to create a whole new layer in the mix.
Upon first sip, the apple from the aroma goes, “I’m still here!” A really brash kind of cup we’ve got going on, this tea wants you to pay attention to it, which it accomplishes by giving you straight up flavors. You’re picking the apples straight from the tree in some remote forest, not a manicured little orchard. And as it cools, you even get a cayenne-y flavor in there, something like paprika. Not fire-spicy, but a sweet, caressing heat. You could have so much fun with this tea, infusing it in different concentrations and varying steeping times to unlock the treasure chest of flavors.
Full review here: http://snooteablog.com/2013/07/05/snooty-tea-review-teavivre-round-2/
Organic Silver Needle White Tea (Bai Hao Yin Zhen) was another contender for the Most Unexpected First Impression award. The dry leaves hit you with a fresh hay smell, which catapulted me back into fond memories of horse camp. Shows promise to be a fine outdoorsy tea, for sure.
Another letdown, aroma-wise. If Jasmine Silver Needle is the showoff, then Organic Silver Needle is her ludicrously timid younger sister. Again, the steeping instructions don’t let this tea really show what it’s capable of. It’s not very entertaining to have to sit and wait for the flavors to come to you–especially if you’re not the patient type. Go for a higher water temperature and let it sit for longer, that way you can reap the full effect of the softly winding florals that set this silver needle apart. It lacks the heady perfume of the jasmine version, so that the true taste and aroma of the leaves has nothing to hide behind. However, if you steep it according to the instructions, you’ll be there spending more energy coaxing the flavors into mind than actually drinking it, during which time you could have just left it in the infuser another two minutes and gotten the better cup out of it.
Full review here: http://snooteablog.com/2013/07/05/snooty-tea-review-teavivre-round-2/
I got three samples of these in Rachel – IHeartTeas sale. Sadly, it is probably the 52Teas blend I would like the least since it is both a white tea and ginger. But on tasting, the flavor could have been worse! The white tea isn’t one of those fuzzy leaves that makes me dislike white teas more than any other. It’s a nice fresh white tea that helps the ginger ale flavor. It isn’t strict ginger though… I think there is something here that makes it taste more like ginger ale. A bit sweet and fruity, though I’m not sure where that is coming from. So this blend isn’t terrible, especially for one who dislikes white teas and ginger. But it certainly isn’t my favorite from 52Teas. Just not my thing I guess.
Organic White Peony (Bai MuDan) Tea has a surprisingly woodsy smell in the bag. Not what you’d expect from a white tea! The odor packs a lot of green punch but it’s so sweet and soft about it that you’re immediately intrigued. Dry leaves, though their scent can often be misleading, are like meeting somebody for the first time. That initial impression is the one that sets up the entire exchange, and this tea has decided to give you a handshake that catches you off guard with how gentle it is, though you can already feel the strength of the grasp. But does this translate into the cup?
Full review here: http://snooteablog.com/2013/07/05/snooty-tea-review-teavivre-round-2/
Thank you CK for this lovely tea.
It is very different than any other green than I have had. Before I looked it up here on Steepster, I thought maybe it was a white tea, though it tastes different than the whites I have had too. There is something sweet that lingers in the background, but I can’t say what it is. It is delicate, yet full of flavor at the same time (sometimes less is more :) )
I will definitely be re-steeping this one as soon as I finish my cup. ｡◕‿◕｡
Preparation
I was lucky to buy a bit of this in Momo’s sale — thank you! I know it is a favorite from David’s and also discontinued — so I will say right now — this reminds me of Zentealife.com’s Strawberry Cream (the herbal blend and not the black blend)! There is also apparently a 30% sale going on at Zen right now.
I steeped two teaspoons for a few minutes and this must be one of the better herbal blends I’ve had (especially a blend with hibiscus). The hibiscus is bearable here only because the strawberry and the cream flavors are so nice. BUT I would have liked more strawberry and cream flavors to balance out the hibiscus. I’ll probably pick out some of the hibiscus next time. There is a tiny bit of rhubarb flavor if I really look for it. It is a very nice red cup! I’ve very happy to have tried this one. I’ll treasure the rest of it.
For the most part I consider myself a perennial optimist, and I make that statement less out of ego and more out of intent: there’s always a silver lining, even if the silver lining is having learned something so you don’t do whatever it is again. However, we all have our moments and right now is one of mine.
The bonus though is this— in telling you that my day is grim on this website (while brewing tea) it means that it’s not just a standard pity party, it becomes a pity TEA party! My tea is steeped and prepped in the most comforting manner that I know (part of a Chinese sugar cake and cream) and I am sufficiently bolstered to tell you why I am underwhelmed by today.
I fell at work halfway through April. We thought it was a scaffoid fracture (the bone that allows you to have an opposable thumb) but instead it is nerve damage stemming from the rotator cuff. I also have a nervous system disease. I have been casted or splinted since April 13th. Not the end of the world, but at least with a fracture you have an idea of when you’ll be getting out the constrictions! (I have no clue and neither does anybody else). The important part of my right hand has very little strength or is frozen. The whole thing has been a gong show. (insertion of strong opinion at this point): ANYBODY WHO TELLS YOU THAT WCB IS YOUR FRIEND HAS NEVER DEALT WITH THEM.
My employer made 48 BILLION dollars profit in Canada alone last year. I fell over aging SAFETY equipment. An ergonomic mat that was reported to management more times than I can count. Hell, a mat that TRIPPED management more times than I can count. Right off the bat they suggested it was my fault because of my disease… uh, no. The more I spoke with my managers the more it sounded like I was going to lose my job… not a sad thing in terms of job fantasticness, but not good in terms of financial stability for my family. I expressed my concern. Verbatim my manager replied ‘you don’t lose your job over something like this, you just don’t get any hours.’ (I should explain that for the sake of reader relief I am keeping things short…. Sad, really, that this is the short version.) and I have been on WCB ever since.
I get a fraction of my pay (which wasn’t much to begin with), but I think it’s the endless harassment that I find so exhausting. So I grabbed my brain, did some soul searching and signed up to go to school in September. In the meantime everyday is filled with physio, doctor’s appointments, nagging from WBC ‘are you better yet, because we don’t want to pay you’. Almost 3 months of this because a conglomerate employer doesn’t like to protect it’s employees. What prompted this rant you may be asking yourself. This isn’t new… why today? Because they have me going in for an MRI. Through a private firm. It’s one of 2. I do these routinely at the hospital…. Once, twice a year. No big deal. The only other time I’ve had one through a private company the tech screamed at me the whole time and actually listed her insults in her report!
I think it just comes down to: you can only push someone so far before you get a negative result. WCB doesn’t let up, the appointments don’t let up and I have had enough. I managed to botch my ‘with open eyes’ brew this morning by underleafing, when my American teas order arrived today I discovered that my samples arrived, but the one tea I really wanted ‘brioche’ had not (operator error). I resent it when outside stress impacts my tea!
I needed tea. I needed something comforting. There are so many teas I love, what to choose. Well, I suppose I was hoping for a new perspective on the day so I wagered a gamble on a tea I’ve never had before… who did I choose? In honour of the laughter I gained from my sample yesterday I chose ‘pancake breakfast’ by 52teas. And it worked. I won’t say the day is great, or relaxing, or that I have any faith in this imaging procedure, but this tea helped ME.
I love breakfast for dinner, I love pancakes. Frequently with too much butter and real maple syrup. The blend gave me buttery, syrup, the really light cake flavour. All the components were there, plus a caffeine settle down. The Chinese sugar added some extra richness, the cream is my standard….. thanks for reading my rant. We all have days where we are…. Other. This tea gave me comfort, familiarity with a favourite food and a moment away from all the nonsense. Thank you 52teas… and thank you CHAroma for sending me the sample.
I’m sure I’ll be back to myself once the MRI is over. Grrrr.
Preparation
My sympathies and best wishes in overcoming your health challenges and dealing with WCB. I know it can be a nightmare especially when your existing workplace does not have the culture or resources in place to
thank god i am set up for school with my loan in place for september 1st. i’ll have the freedom to walk away and come out of it all with so many more options!
part two…. hit the finger pad at the wrong place;). …especially when your workplace does not have the culture or resources in place to help you replace your income, rehabilitate you, or provide alternative employment. I was lucky enough to work for years for a company that treated us as family and provided us with many insurances and alternative placements if need be. Even though the company closed its doors a few years ago many of us are still close. Comparing it to the workplace of my stepfather where the work environment was antagonistic, safety measures were often circumvented in replace of economy and where the majority of the workers referred to the company as " The Place" I know I was blessed. Hopefully you receive good news as a result of this process, and on the flip side try to think of the positive new adventures heading your way. Although I am easily a pessimist in North America, I try at times to capture the sense of optimism I gained when I was in India. The favourite saying of my friends there is “This is India, anything’s possible” reflecting on that often helps me get through anything.
When I had carpal tunnel in one hand and nerve issues with the other, I got granted compensation for one, but not the other, even though a specialist said most likely work related for the other nerve issues. Not fun to deal with…turned into a really big unnecessary problem.
thank you, both of you. i am particularly good at being out of control of myself. i know it will all be fine… just don’t know how yet. i cannot wait until september! …. this is india, anything is possible…. i’ve not heard that one. excellent. thank you yyz! i will find a way to apply it here. and if they’re rude at the mri today, i have a solution: i walk out. period.
*NOT particularly good. yup, it’s that kind of day.
Oh, I wish you the best. Fingers crossed the techs you deal with today are polite and have sunny dispositions. :)
she was quite great, actually. i don’t do well with magnetics + vibrations, it sets off body spasms, but we worked really well together. 1 of 2 down!
After hearing all this I’m just that much more excited for you going back to school. I can’t believe how much everyone is making you jump through hoops when you’re clearly not scamming them and the hazard was the company’s fault. I’m so sorry.
But, on to new adventures! With tea as your companion!
I’m sorry to hear about all of your troubles. I broke my ankle in an odd place in February and the doctor recently decided that my bone just isn’t going to heal. Since then it has been non stop visits to the doctor, MRIs, XRays, and Physical Therapy to regain my complete range of motion. Not to mention the battles with the insurance companies to get everything paid for. I understand completely the amount of stress this places a person under (I have hard to control epilepsy to top everything off). I can only imagine the added stress you’re facing since this happened at work.
I wish you luck with your situation as well as luck in your studies. Going back to school can be difficult, but definitely worth all the hard work.
Let me know if surprise box of samples might cheer you up :) I know we just discussed having similar tastes and I would be happy to send you a surprise.
I work in a neurology office as a secretary and I get to hear from a lot of our patient who like you are in the midst of disability claims and insurance claims. Also my Dad just went through an injury at work and was out for quite a while. It’s always stressful, but in most cases it does work out for he best! Take care of yourself, do what you have to do, and just try to keep up with all the stupid paperwork. Everything will work out even if it’s stressful now. And since your going back to school, this may even work out better than if you had stayed injury-free and locked in your job. You got a great opportunity! :-)
thank you friends… all your kind words remind me of how fortunate i am to have found this community where we can all talk about tea, and techniques but also have the odd bad day.
i’m probably extra sensitive because i do this so often regarding the disease. it is ridiculous that an entirely preventable accident nailed someone with a nervous system disease.
however, it’s another day and i am much more myself. i’m goooooing back to schooool, i’m gooooing back to schoooool. =0)
Wow, I’m so sorry to hear about all this. But I echo everyone else’s comments and pray that your recovery goes smoothly. Congrats on going back to school! What will you study?
it’s all planned: occupational psychology! with a very specific study in motivation.
I had high hopes for this one, but I am not a fan. I added sugar to the tea while it was still hot and then let it cool to room temperature before pouring it over ice. Even with the sugar this tea is incredibly tart. Mouth puckering, eye twitching, shivers-down-the-spine tart. Not something I’ll seek out in the future.
Another tea from the tea box!
The rose in this tea is lovely. It’s not overpowering, but it definitely lifts what would be a middle of the road Ceylon up a notch. The base tea has a bit of an edge to it, a tiny hint of bitterness. The rose flavor helps smooth the tea out, and it gives a fullness I think would be missing otherwise. Very nice.
A tea from a mystery swap, Thanks Shelley_Lorraine! This tea smells really good, and I definitely got the tiramisu type taste. But I somehow tasted a little maple? The rooibos taste is pretty strong in this one but it kind matches well with the flavoring I think but this isn’t a tea I’d like to have a lot of. Good to try though definitely, a little treat :)
I’ve never logged this one? Maybe it got eaten! Well, it’s already time for a sipdown!
This tea has been an interesting journey for me. It is very, very easy to oversteep. I generally let my boiling water cool for a short time before steeping. Even then, I only steep this for 3min. maximum. The brew is an extremely deep, spiced cuppa. The “pumpkin” is, well, interesting. I don’t know if it screams pumpkin pie to me or anything, but it is an interesting try. The caramel tea in this is probably the least prominent of the flavors. This tea is very, hm, verbose. It is a dark, full bodied tea that is a good pick me up in the morning.
I bought this as an attempt to replace last summer’s fruity watermelon tea. I love fruity teas that are just as good iced as they are hot, and thought this one would be the winner.
I’m disappointed, but not because of taste. This tea is darn good. It tastes exactly like juice, which is precisely what I wanted. The unfortunate part: because it’s solid mango, pineapple and orange chunks it weighs almost twice as much as other teas. That’s crazy! For that reason, it gets a lower rating. It saddens me to say it, but I won’t be buying this again (because it tastes so good). The quest for a fruity-watermelon tea replacer continues…
5g / 90ml celeadon gaiwan.
wash/15/15/25/35/15….. @95C
Wow. The first two infusions of this was just about the best light oolongs iv´e ever tried. Smoth floral and buttery. Just perfect.
The longer infusions ruined the smothness. But when i lowered the infusiontimes again. it came back :)
I would recommend keeping stepings to 10-15s until flavour thins.
On a sidenote, the dry leaf is beutiful. not rolled into balls like the usual “green” oolongs. But rather twisted and crooked. infuses quickly.
Preparation
Thanks to Teascent for the oolong sample! I got 2 teabags in a foil bag to try out. What I love about oolongs is that the leaves are so small when dry but really plump up when brewed. The teabag became like a little floating pillow :) I started sipping at about 5 minutes, and the tea was light and floral. It seems like a nice tea for snacking with since the taste is not too strong. The bag floated on the top because of the air bubble but was too hot to grab so I just drank the tea and left it floating but after about 7 minutes the flowery taste got stronger and I preferred the lighter taste so i grabbed a spoon to fish it out. The aftertaste was pretty light as well. It does hold up to resteeping well and did not lose taste. I think I’ll give the second bag to my dad to try, he’s been having light green teas lately and I think he’ll like this one.
