Canton Tea Co

This is just perfect for me! It’s weird because I’m not usually drawn to Jasmine nor am I a fanatic of Silver Needle but this is really great! I don’t know what it is but it reminds me of my grandparent’s (RIP) backyard in Florida…the way it smells…the taste of the tea is super crisp and clean. The Jasmine doesn’t have that funky old floral after taste that some have….yeah…it just seems like everything is RIGHT with this Jasmine Silver Needle! YUM!

Lighter and slightly smoky.

This is a very light oolong/green tea. I was expecting a bit more punch in color and taste of this tea, but it is not bad. Almost refreshing, it is a tea I could drink on warmer days. Expect a pale brew that is not heavy at all.

Picked a random pack from my Canton sampler :)
Is a little sleepy, so my review will be short and lacking in details.

Leafs are nice, green and hairy. Erhm… and somehow they defy gravity and stays at the top of the cup. Maybe it’s because I was to lazy to preheat the cup before steeping. Or maybe it has issues. “I am too good for this cup. Now get me your finest porcelain.”-ish issues.

How to describe the aroma?
First thing that comes to mind is ASSAM, but no way in hell this is assam. I must be craving or something. Anyway… First sip screams: ASSAM, but no. It can’t be. This is a white silver needle soooo far from assam as it’s possible.

The only thing you can trust me for is that this tea really is green/white, hairy and that the liquid is very bright. Sweet tasting.

The rest – look away from it. I’ll write another tasting note for this when I have dealt with my ASSAM! craving.

Funny thing is… I really don’t like assam that much.

This is a second flush from Margaret’s Hope. I “think” I’ve had others from this Darjeeling Tea Estate, but I haven’t a clue. Some vendors don’t list origin. Anyway, this is a shy bit different than the usual second flush. The liquor is lighter, brewing to a vibrant gold rather than amber or red. And it’s lacking some of the requisite muscatel character. That said, it’s a floral cup with a feather-touch spice finish and still worth your valuable morning.

Full Review: http://www.teaviews.com/2010/12/14/review-canton-tea-co-margaret%E2%80%99s-hope-silver-moon/

You wouldn’t think a company that specializes in Chinese teas would know anything about Darjeeling. Well, given that this is called “Giddapahar China Delight”, I guess it isn’t too much of a stretch. This is everything one comes to expect from a first flush Darj; spice, malt, muscatel, magnificence, etc. It’s not quite as perfect as some of Giddapahar’s second flush teas, but it definitely holds it’s own torch.

Full Review: http://www.teaviews.com/2010/12/08/review-canton-tea-co-1st-flush-darjeeling-giddapahar-china-delight/

bamboo, bean sprout, and a sweet aftertaste with a mouthfeel that thickens as it cools. Score= 90 on review # 279 on Walker Tea Review

The first time I cupped this one I stopped after one potato-ey, disappointing steep. My impatience has proven to be folly because this one gets nicer as you go along. It’s not the most delicately imperceptible Silver Needle, but nuanced enough and very durable. Pleasant florals come out with each steep (short, gongfu style) that add complexity to a grassy, relatively straightforward, though sturdy, tea.

Another tea from TeaEqualsBliss Thank you!!!

A lovely sweet flavor, pleasantly vegetative without being too grassy. Very light and delicious.

I’m totally diggin’ this one from Canton right now!

I like the 2nd Flush better than the 1st because it smells more malty and the taste is less leafy-astringent (I know there is a better way of explaining the taste but I can’t think of it at the moment)…anyhow…I like this – it’s good!

YUM!

This is a nice, sturdy Darjeeling! Fairly nutty and earthy with a floral-like finish.

This isn’t bad! Most if not all people know about the stereotypical Earl Grey so I will write about the differences I found in this one. Sure it’s bold but what I am picking up on what is different than most I have tried is a peppery type taste behind the floral notes. I found this to be interesting and masculine. Yes, I can taste the bergamot but I didn’t find it to be over-the-top…which is just fine by me. The Darjeeling taste is lovely! I think that is the best part of this tea!

First steeping. Not much flavor coming though. Just a bit of smokiness.

Big Red Robes seem to be everywhere these days. A year ago, I didn’t even know what the hell it was, now I can’t trip over a tea bush without seeing a damn robe. That said, of all the ones I’ve tried, this is the only one that lives up to the hypothetically expensive promise of its regal origins. Sweet rice and fruit notes aplenty.

Full Review: http://www.teaviews.com/2010/12/02/review-canton-tea-co-big-red-robe-oolong-3/

rich, intense aroma with silken texture but lighter aftertaste. Score of 91. Review # 274 on Walker Tea Review.

Nice basic puerh. Very smooth and creamy.

Interesting and not like any Puerh I’ve ever had. Not something I’d seek out, but none the less interesting to try.

It’s a very good Darjeeling…but only a passable Earl Grey. The citrus-sour bergamot aspect – even with the inclusion of orange blossoms was very understated. For a bolder brew, adhere to Canton’s double-or-nothin’ recommendation of 2 teaspoons of leaves to a 6oz cup.

Full Review: http://www.teaviews.com/2010/11/09/review-canton-tea-co-superior-earl-grey/

Sadly the last of this sample. This was a good tea, though I think I enjoyed the Yu Lan Dan Cong by Canton Tea Co. more.

Because of the delicacy of this oolong, I decided to brew this in a gaiwan with short infusions. First, while I heated the water, I took a look and smell of the dry leaf. Opening the pouch, I bring it to my nose and inhale deeply. The scent is sweet and heavy. Complex, because the heaviness and “darkness” in it seem to be along a different track than the sweetness, which seems to spiral through the tea, never settling in one place. The leaves look dark, twisted, and almost fragile. I rinse the leaves and prepare to begin.

The first steeping is for 30 seconds, and produces a deep and sweet smelling liquor that entrances the nose. The flavour mimics the scent, with a floral profile and a dark flavour reminiscent of a Formosa oolong. A sweet aftertaste sits on the tongue and coats the inside of the mouth. Immensely potent describes this steeping well.

I eagerly steep the leaves again. This steeping is much more subdued. The various elements are well-pronounced. This tea is very delicious and is quite the joy to drink.

By the third steeping, the aroma has become lighter and more vegetal, while maintaining its sweetness. The sweetness of flavour, mingling with the newly developed vegetal flavours, bursts in the mouth quite pleasantly.

The fourth steeping seems to have leveled out the flavour profile. It tastes much like the third steeping. I resteep the leaves again and decide that I am not going to get any more transformations from this delectable tea.

I will continue to steep these leaves until they give out, but this has so far been an excellent experience.

I give this tea an 85/100 on my personal enjoyment scale.