Ti Kuan Yin

This is a sample I hadn’t even opened yet… I still have a number from thepuriTea to try. I thought it would be nice to go back to a TGY after a myriad of other green oolongs recently. The dry leaf on this one smells very green leafy, like grass and alfalfa hay, without much other dimension to it. Fortunately once steeped the aroma really develops; it’s very floral, magnolia-ish.

I was pleasantly surprised by this one; honestly I wasn’t expecting much based on other reviews and my experiences so far with their oolongs, so I guess it worked out. It’s definitely floral, but I do get some nice buttery, honey-y notes in it. Granted, they’re pretty light, but they’re there. They definitely come out more as it cools way down. Not my fave TGY, but an enjoyable cup of tea all the same.

Another version of this classic tea, and as splendid as others we’ve tried. The leaf pieces really expand and tend to tickle this little teapot’s innards! Photos and details: http://lyt-tea-reviews.blogspot.com/2010/11/review-thepuriteacoms-ti-kuan-yin.html

This was a surprise. The leaf looked both small and somewhat broken, and I didn’t detect much of a nose on the infused leaf. However, the flavor of the tea is much stronger than its nose would suggest, and I think this could make, as one reviewer said, a good everyday drinker.

The tea smells very leafy in the package. Kind of fresh and not nutty. 195/4 min. So, it’s not surprising that it brews up to be a fresh tasting TKY. It’s nice, but there is no nuttiness to it. It’s slightly floral in the aftertaste, but not for long. There are, unfortunately, no “rich, creamy undertones” as the description suggests.

I really don’t like giving bad reviews or low scores. It’s not something I enjoy. Unfortunately neither is this tea. It’s just not good. It wants to be but its not.

Please don’t consider this tea for everyday drinking. There is so much affordable TGY out there that is so much better. Again, I don’t enjoy slighting a company for any reason (and am completely unbiased) but please consider Life In Teacup’s Grade II over this stuff. It’s friggin $2.70 an oz. and way more suitable for everyday drinking. That is unless you would prefer mediocre tea every day.

A golden brew with a subtle floral aroma and a slightly sweet taste. A mellow Ti Kuan Yin, without the complexities of some of the other varieties. A very nice, relaxing tea.

4g
12oz water

This is a decent ti kuan yin. Nothing special about it, or overly strong. A good candidate for an easy daily drinker.