teabird

teabird drank Earl of Anxi by Verdant Tea

This has really come to be one of my favorite blends, so I’m bumping the rating a little. I love how the bergamot flavor melds with the buttery oolong and sweet jasmine and goji. The frankincense and saffron add a background complexity. It’s just a really pleasing tea, and I like how the flavors change on re-steeping as well – more citrus and fruit.

2012-12-28 11:35:17 -0500

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Some notes on ratings:

I’d have separate rating scales for tea types if that were possible (probably Black, Flavored Black, Darjeeling/Dark Oolong, White/Green/Light Oolong, and Herbal) because the flavors and quality markers are just too different. A flavored black rated 100 isn’t better than every oolong I’ve ever drunk, just delicious for a flavored black.

Ratings are a combination of my enjoyment and the perceived quality – I do often demote teas a few points for artificial flavorings, small quantity of steeps supported, or weakness of flavor (requiring extra leaf).

I pay less attention to the number than the order of my ratings; I don’t necessarily keep a stock of everything rated 80+, but if two breakfast blends are rated 82 and 84 I consistently enjoy the 84 more.

And in case it’s not obvious? I am not an expert. I don’t even know what I like until I taste it sometimes, but I’m ok with that :) I like learning to like new teas, as well as enjoying the comfort of familiar ones.