Shanghai Orchid

I have really not felt like writing anything which is a problem when one has a final paper due Tuesday. I finally decided on a topic last night, and it all has to do with beer. I am AMAZED at the level of data one can find out there for this stuff. I’m going by political cultures of states to see if that affects the amount of beer consumed per person, the number of DUIs and underaged drinkers (both of these I figure will be lowest in moralistic states), and if restrictive alcohol laws stifle the economic impact of beer (which I figure will be higher in traditionalistic states). I think that I can make this 8-10 pages. YAY.

So I love orchids a lot but I don’t think I’ve ever had anything orchid flavored. It seems rather unusual. I was worried it might be too perfumey, but I was going to make it iced and take it with me to class so I wasn’t too worried.

It was actually really good. The floral notes are strong, but the apple and other fruit in here adds a welcome bit of sweetness.

This is another one of those where it really doesn’t even matter if there is white tea underneath it all. Super strong flavors and so much fruit just dominates. The hibiscus though is not there at all, I feel like the only thing it did was add a pretty rosy hue to the tea.

Every now and then I manage to make this tea perfectly, and last night was one of those times! I’m not certain what the difference is, but I’m sticking with these steeping parameters as they produced an absolutely wonderful tea drinking experience.

The dry tea smells amazingly sweet and fruity, with more than just a hint of floral notes. 165F (73C)/1 min. The tea’s aroma simply floats out of the teapot, pulling me in. I can smell it the moment I enter the kitchen. The sweetness of the scent is reproduced beautifully in the taste. The floral taste is quite pronounced, but it’s so lovely. The white tea, surprisingly, is not completely hidden. It’s there without bitterness. Each sip is a treat.

I’m glad to see that others like this tea as much as me! It definitely takes on a very floral almost perfume like quality. Sometimes I’m just in the mood for that.

Made a pot of this tonight as I hadn’t had it in awhile. Since it’s being discontinued I wanted to see if I needed to stock up before it’s gone.

I think this is great on its own – however, I’d really like to try blending it with something for fun…..

Any suggestions?

Awful. So fragrant it’s like drinking floral perfume. All other flavors are overwhelmed by the floral perfuminess. Will never drink this again.

The first time I had this, in-store, I loved it. It was blended with a bit of silver needles and rock sugar. But I can’t seem to get that flavor back. It’s always a little too astringent, or a little too weak, or a little too sweet. It’s not bad. It’s delicate, and the orchids and apples are great together, but it tastes a little bit too floral for my taste. I’ll up the rating if I can figure out how to brew it properly.

One sip and this immediately became a favorite. I love the medley of fruit and floral, neither flavor battling for prominence, both flavors working peacefully.

I absolutely loved this tea!! The smell was extremely floral with a sticky Turkish delight scent and what my co-worker described as “grandmas house”. This tasted like a cup of authentic Turkish delight with a big hit of rose and flowers, and slightly bitter at the end. The apple and melon is hinted a bit once you get past the heavy floral taste! Overall a fantastic tea!

14 down – 486 to go!

A really delicious combination of floral and fruit with neither overwhelming the other. Since actual orchids come in many fragrances—from oppressively floral to spicy or even no fragrance at all—it always irks me a bit when flavors or smells are described as “orchid.” I’ll forgive this one. I’m going to say that orchid in this case is floral without being specifically jasmine, rose or other easily recognized specific flower. It’s a lovely balance with a hint of tart sweetness from the fruit. There was a pleasant amount of astringency. Refreshing! Flavor was excellent through three infusions. I could definitely drink this on a regular basis.

Another favorite white tea! I like white teas in general since the flavor of the tea complements the fruit added inside so well. It’s fun to brew this and pretend like you are actually having tea time in Shanghai. This is one of those teas that I would only drink hot not cold.

This is a lovely light floral tea, with gorgeous notes of blossom and melon. I’m very fond of it, but I find it a bit insubstantial on its own, and I love it best when blended 50/50 with Teavana’s Peach Tranquility which accentuates its mellow nature but gives it added depth, sweetness and complexity.

I grew up with the smell of orchids in my house and this tea does not disappoint. In fact, it reminds me more of potpourri than tea. I love jasmine and orchids so I thought that orchid would be an excellent floral tea for me, but I’m just not feeling it. The fragrance is accurate but there’s something about it that does not sit well for me. I thought it would be perfect after growing up with an orchid person but I was wrong. I’ll keep trying it and experimenting. Hopefully it’s me and not the tea :P

A really good choice for a floral and fruity tea. A relaxing drink, but getting the amount/temperature/steeptime right is tricky. When you do hit the right combo it is incredible.

Turned out this is not my cuppa. Smells strongly perfume-y floral, the taste is sort of weak and can not feel the tea.

This was a Christmas gift from my neighbor this year and I was impressed that she remembered that I love floral teas. I hadn’t heard of Teavana before, but then again, I generally avoid the mall like the plague.

I really wanted to like this, in theory I should have loved it, it’s a floral white tea which is my favorite. I’m really glad I didn’t open this immediately to smell it, because my husband says the look on my face was priceless. This smells like potpourri and you completely lose the taste of anything but the orchid.

I really tried with this one. I played with temperature, time, and sweeteners, but I just couldn’t make this one work for me. My next step is blending it with something else, so if any one has any suggestions I’d love to hear them. Otherwise, I have a feeling that I’ll be making sachets filled with this to put in my hope chest, at least it will make the blankets smell good.

Very flowery tea. Smells amazing, tastes the way it smells when prepared correctly. Get a couple of steeps out of this one and both are great. It’s a shame it’s been discontinued.

Tasted like perfume the first time i made it. Then I read that someone blended it with Peach Tranquility, holy moly did that make a difference!!

Very light floral flavor with the citrus backnote. I love the aroma and the taste, it’s just so light…planning to try it again with a bit more than the suggested amount. BUT the freshly steeped leaves (after cooled) smell better than any perfume :D

Brad – good to blend with Rooibos Tropica. Too floral alone. Rating: 75

Smooth and delicious. Comforting and discreet. This is my “evening” tea.