Yunnan Gold Tips (Limited Edition, Chinese New Year 2014)

My lovely friend charchar picked me up a tin of this with her first A&D order, I was super excited when I saw this one released, Yunnans are possibly my favorite variety of black teas. I will also do a more in depth review later when I have this in an actual mug, not just my Timolino lol.

Unfortunately, Davidstea’s Cool Cucumber has attacked my travel mug and makes every tea brewed in it taste like it haha. I actually had the Yunnan tips yesterday but the flavor was so off from contamination I couldn’t even review it. Today it is a bit better, but still that sweetness is sticking around. But beyond that, this is a smooth, malt grainy tea, very smooth actually! And a lot lighter than I expected, I’ve had some Yunnans that just drip with honey and feel so much thicker, but this one is light and easy to drink. Surprising to me, as I’ve been making it with the recommended 5 minute steep time. There is a mild sweet potato note in there as well, which I imagine would stand out more when not brewed in a contaminated travel mug lol.

Overall, I am a fan of this tea so far, and very excited to try it at home! So far, quite pleased with it though. Another tasty tea from A&D. Oh, and the horse finger puppet that came with it..yes, a bit creepy, my cat likes to bat it around and chase it on the floor haha. A bit weird to watch :D and I like the coaster that came with it too!

Withholding rating until I can brew this tea properly with the care it deserves :)

Oh, and I got Tin #57!

mmmmm other tea i set aside to drink today even though neither will get me a sipdown (and i need 4 each day this weekend at least!) This of course means that I am now going to need to buy 4 tins from A&D whenever i get around to ordering. I pretty much stalk their website looking at teh quantity of this one to make sure i can get in on an order..and i mean if i’m picking up this one, i might as well also get red tail, tiger and one other since the 3 pack is a deal. I think? i had landed on double knit over caravan, though i enjoyed them both. That being said….i’m trying REALLY hard to make it through march with no orders…
I’m a fan of this. As terri said, it’s not a desert island tea but it is a damn fine tea. And i am also a fan of their tins so..yeah. loving this! especially with my bagel and creamcheese heh

The wonderful, sweet, generous ifjuly saw a comment of mine about this tea, and sent me a sample of it. I was really excited to get to try it. I was hoping to either LOVE it and therefore not have a problem order 4.4 oz of it (for 35.00) or to HATE it and then cross it off the list and not have to think about it anymore. Neither of those happened.
I really like this, it’s a really nice yunnan black. But I don’t think I love, I think I’ve had other Yunnen golden tips or golden buds that were as good or better than this. Are they cheaper than this, not really – about the same. I’m just not sure I need that much in my cupboard. Would like to order 2 oz of it. The other issue is that it’s limited quantities. I guess it’s good that I didn’t LOVE it and then couldn’t get more.
I’m just torn about this one. I think I’m going to leave it, if there is a discount shipping opportunity then will order, if not then will just be happy with what I have.
Thanks ifjuly for the sample. LOL not sure it made my decision easier, but is always nice to try before you buy.

I’m so happy ifjuly sent some of this way! I had a few sips, and then added it to my shopping list. Yes, this is a good tea. Even though it has a doofy horse on the tin. :P

It’s warm, and bready, and there’s a bit of honey, and it makes me think of bread out of the oven with a little butter and something sweet on top of it. It’s really good. Very smooth mouthfeel. Warm, comforting taste. No one has been exaggerating with these reviews. There is NO conspiracy to make you go out and buy this tea!

I want to go buy this tea. I’ll have to coordinate with Sil because $10 shipping to Canada is TOO MUCH for one tin. I was hoping they’d offer a shipping discount sale as they are wont to do from time to time.

I keep drinking amazing teas all day with multiple infusions. I’m only on tea 2 for the day – hahaha