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I bought this tea from Moonbean Coffee Co. which stocks teas from Metropolitain. I made it in a Gaiwan with a 15 sec rinse, so far followed by two drinkable steeps at 40 sec each. The taste was quite floral, but I didn’t notice that so much in the scent. I also think there is a bit of smokiness, or at least that’s what I’m calling it. I’m not sure I like the type of floral, reminds me a little of perfume. Curious to see how the flavour develops in subsequent steeps.

I’ve not been a Darjeeling fan because my go to tea was always a strong Assam with milk and I found them too light in comparison. But now that I’ve started appreciating Chinese tea and brewing in a gaiwan, I thought it was time to give Darjeeling a fair chance. I decided that my first experience would be to brew gongfu style to be able to experience the subtleties, and to drink it straight, I.e. No milk. I gave it a very short rinse and so far I’ve had two drinkable steeps at 30 and 40 sec respectively. The colour is a light chestnut. The taste is smooth with some tannin and a lot of other things I don’t have the words to describe. There was a slight nuttiness on the first steep which wasn’t there on the second steep. There’s some body. The second steep had a bit of sourness or astringency. There’s some fruitiness but I can’t really identify the scent. Overall, this is a nice light black tea. My next experiment with this tea will be to brew it western style to see how the taste will differ.

I found this pricey, so I expected more. It’s the first Ali Shan I’ve had so I didn’t have a cheaper one to compare it to. I made it in a gaiwan with a 15 sec wash. The next two drinkable steeps were at 40 and 30 sec respectively. The scent was floral, so I was surprised at how vegetal it tasted. Certainly more vegetal than floral in taste. Also a tannin taste. The colour was pale green. It was a nice enough light oolong, but not nice enough to warrant the price. I’m curious what others think of it. Will definitely have to try another Ali Shan for comparison.

I’m in my second drinkable steep. Made it in gaiwan with a 15s wash, followed by 20s steeps so far. The scent was a little earthy but also a scent of sweetness. The taste is similar to the scent. Smooth but also bright. Even though it’s supposed to be a lower caffeine content I definitely feel a stimulating effect. I don’t taste all the complexity the previous reviewer mentioned. At least not yet.

This tea was okay, but after having the tie Kwan yin from Mandala tea it pales in comparison. Prior to brewing the dry tea was light brown and wood coloured. Once brewed, There was a slight floral scent, but predominantly roasted scent. The taste is mostly nutty/roasted and buttery, with some vegetal taste. The leaves opened up nicely on the first drinkable steep. The liquor is pale brown. Not one I would purchase again.

I wish there were other tasting notes because I can’t quite describe what I’m tasting and smelling. I’m currently on the second drinkable steep. The scent seemed smokey. The taste seemed vegetal. It was nice. I’m intrigued by it since there is more here than I know how to describe.

The leaves were a vibrant green. I brewed in the gaiwan, just under the boil with first two drinkable steeps at 40 secs. Beautiful flowery scent, I think lilac. A mild vegetal taste and buttery. Lovely. The liquor was a pale green. This was a sample included with my order. I’m glad, otherwise I wouldn’t have known about it. I nice surprise. Curious to see how the taste evolves over subsequent steeps.

I haven’t bought anything from this store before so I thought I’d test their mini tuo cha. Steeped in gaiwan. Have had two drinkable infusions so far. Deep rich brown/red in the cup. Nice Puerh smell. Smooth, full in the mouth. I quite enjoyed this. Have not experienced any agitation as I have from mini tuo cha from another vendor. They’re individually wrapped. I only used one for my 5 oz gaiwan. 20 secs an infusion so far.

I found this to be bright and predominantly roasted tasting. There’s that hint of almond/cinnamon, but I wouldn’t call that strong. Prior to steeping, when I put the leaves in the warmed gaiwan it had a lovely roasted smell. I’m currently on the second drinkable steep and like it better when it’s cooled a little. I ordered this because I was intrigued by the description. I don’t know that this would be a regular tea for me, but it didn’t disappoint.

I decided to make this in the gaiwan with short steeps. Smooth. Tried with and without milk. The milk did not add/improve n an way as it would with an Assam or other black tea. This tea is nice as is.