Verdant Tea

Thank you LiberTEAS for this sample and introducing me to this great tea!

Wow! That should say enough. Yes, its light and very smooth. Yes, there are faint vegetal and slightly roasted notes in this tea. The leaves are beautifully long and slender, but unbroken. The liquid is pale yellow and and has no detectable bitterness. But, there is much more. There is a story that is spoken through this tea. One, that would require much more time and space to fully record.

There is such a time stopping element to this tea. Its difficult to not be carried to a memory of a late summer stroll in a local pasture of my early upbringing in the South. You can almost hear the crunching of the parched grass underneath your feet. All you can do is close your eyes and sip away.

The final verdict: This is a very nice Sheng Pu’erh! I’m almost convince it would be my top pick, if you could only have one, and only one Pu’erh. Its that good!

Gong fu sytle in a 5oz gaiwan.

Dry Leaf – Chocolate, Oolong plum like scent, caramel/vanilla.

Wet Leaf – Plum Oolong, smoky chocolate, caramel, with sesame undertone; honey and vanilla scent from the lid.

1st Steep – Plummy and wine like with slight honey sweetness that turns smokey and chocolately. It has a clean mouth feel with plum after taste.

2nd Steep – Lid smells nutty with sesame undertone and strong warm honey smell. Plummy wine like taste with slightly smoky body, Mi Lan Xian/Keemum Mao Feng wine like aftertaste.

3rd Steep – Strong honey smell from the lid followed by plum essence nuttiness almost depleted. Honey taste with plum and some vanilla.

4th Steep – Floral plum with honey undertone and plum aftertaste. Slight vanilla scent and Honey, slight astringency present.

5th Steep – plum with floral aftertaste; Honey sweetness is faded with vanilla undertone and slightly nutty smoky background.

Overall to me this was an OK tea, It seemed to me like a Mi Lan Xiang that tried to become a Da Hong Pao(Big Red Robe) but remained within the plumminess of the Mi Lan Xiang. I wouldn’t really classify this one as a black tea, in fact the only hints of black tea for me were the initial chocolate taste and the wine like taste in the later steeps (almost like a Keemung Mao Feng) but it then turns more plum tasting like an Oolong.

Worth a try, good quality tea.

My big tree came down today and it looked like the first phase of Spring cleaning.

One thing leads to another.

Then the wreath and garland came down from the mantle, the mantle got a good scrubbing…and the Pacific Northwest, Native American Art (which I love) got a cleaning before going back up.

The floor, carpet, side table with mini tree in the dining room were changed back into their former configuration before the Holidays,but with a scrub.

The tea’s I ‘could’ have had today, new tea’s that I got from some kind Steepster friends for Christmas and New Year’s, need my full attention. I’ll devote a day to each one next week (maybe sooner).

Before beginning my tasks this morning, when I rummaged around in my cupboard pushing packets aside looking for a bolt of lightning to strike me with inspiration,…I brilliantly picked this tea for a couple of reasons. It’s tasty (no brainer) and it reminds me of days gone by (sigh).
This tea is very romantic.
I was feeling nostalgic with delightful memories of Christmas’s past.
My Dad’s WWII Navy trunk (called a boot) has stored my best ornaments since 1967 including some from the 1920’s. It’s one of my treasures.

Some of the ornaments were created by my Grandmother (born in 1901) out of walnut halves…made into little beds with a tiny baby sleeping in it.
My mother made Victorian Lace ornaments with empty spools of thread. Red Glass Bells from my mother’s childhood are carefully wrapped in tissue. These are my treasures along with ornaments made by my children and myself which are wrapped and stored carefully in Dad’s old trunk.

Bergamot Rose Laoshan Black Tea has the black tea base that I’ve loved from the first time I sipped it, so rich with chocolate.
The floral, citrus bergamot adds elegance and a slight briskness.

Tea is able to help us pause with our memories if we take the time, and this tea was the perfect choice for me today. Cleaning up from the Holidays, remembering the past.

This is the second of my selections from the Alchemy Blends Tasting Kit. (Oh I do love all the tasty Alchemy Blends that I’ve had so far!)

When I opened the packet of tea I was amazed at the beauty of the rose petals. I buy rose buds at my spice shop for culinary use but they are never as vibrant as these.
I poured a bit of tea into a white porcelain tasting cup to see the blend of dark Laoshan Black tea, pale orange peel and bright rose flowers which looked like potpouri. The scent of bergamot, rose, chocolate and citrus… was ethereal.

I was having my morning tea so I made a large pot…steeped it 3 minutes. (I resteeped 2 more times with super results)

Laoshan Black is so rich and chocolaty, a beautiful tea that goes beyond malty or bready to a deep richness that is full and round. There is complexity that comes from the He family knowing their small farm and the soil.

The addition of rose petals, bergamot and citrus to Laoshan Black is daring! This is not an Earl Grey Tea and does not pretend to be. It takes guts to add anything to such an athletic Black Tea as this one.
This was already a fastastic tea that takes you to the top of chocolate heights…where you think there couldn’t be any possiblity of more goodness…adds the tease of rose, a whisper of bergamot then a flicker of citrus at the finish.
When I drink regular Laoshan Black, it leaves a thick chocolate, malty finish in my mouth.
This Alchemy Blend leaves a bergamot, citrus, rose and cocoa finish each one like flavor droplets that I taste individually. Delightful.

This is subtle and enjoyable. The next time though, I’ll prepare this in a glass gaiwan or other glass vessel because it is so beautiful and sexy. I think this would be a good dessert tea with some chocolate and berries or a mild cheese.

My first puerh from verdant… surely not my last.

I love the smell of the dry leaves, slightly bitter scent that should be present of a good Sheng with sweet undertone that I can’t really identify yet, maybe vanilla/caramel. The brew accentuates the scent of the Sheng, it almost made me think if would be bitter tasting but it is slightly bitter with an amazing creamy body, it becomes slightly fruity and musky like a cedar forest that just got rained on. The after taste is floral and fruity with freshness.

I love smelling my cup, the sweetness is more apparent and you can really smell the apple and caramel. The pepper is apparent right between the initial tasting and before the floral and fruity aftertaste appear. The aftertaste stays in the back of your throat for a while.

I haven’t been able to really taste the Hazelnut notes, that was a bit disappointing to me, since is one of the reasons I got this puerh. Non the less, this is a great puerh, it reminds me of the Aged Mao Cha (I think they are about the same age). It is well balanced with many notes/flavors that has nice bitterness, almost no astringency, balanced sweetness and freshness. I would recommend it and I bet it would be great to continue aging.

Finally added this tea to my ‘stash’. I endured the torture of reading endless amazing reviews that made me drool trying to imagine the taste. The package came pretty quickly and it still seemed like an eternity, waiting for tea packages is like waiting for presents on any Holiday as a kid.

I opened the bag to find beautifully rolled and twisted leaves and I immediately stuck my nose in. Smoky-chocolate sweetness with evident vanilla and a faint fruity/plummy scent.

The thing I loved the most about this tea… the color, the amazing light caramel color that just set you to be even more amazed about the strength of the brew. I love how tea can be ‘strong’ and still looking like light liquid ember under the light of the sun. Creamy chocolate and honey sweetness with the taste of a vanilla flavored caramel, to me it is slightly floral after a few steeps.

The leaves open beautifully and seems almost unreal how much they unfurl; makes you wonder, how could you ever roll and twist a leaf that way and make it look completely undamaged. One of my favorite black teas.

I am drinking the last of this and realized I never wrote a review on it. So as I drink it down…

Prunes
creamy cinnamon

not my favorite Golden Buds, but good.

Summer Blend 2013 (As opposed to notes from 2012)

I’ve been waiting for the Imperial Breakfast Blend to return for a long time! My addiction was such, that I resorted to creating my own concoction by mixing Laoshan Black Tea and Ginger Sage Winter Spa Blend then adding a few (hoarded) Yanxin’s Reserve Shu Pu’er Nuggets. This was quite delicious but still, not the same as the Imperial Blend.

Last week I entertained my niece and sister-in-law from California. This is their first visit to my home since I became a tea nerd and I AGRESSIVELY forced them to experience ALL of types of tea’s and methods of brewing. THEY HAD NO IDEA (like most people outside of our world) WHAT WE TEA NERDS ARE UP TO! (Poor things!)

(We actually had fun!)

One morning, I set the kettle to boil and prepared a tray with everything needed for a pot of Breakfast Blend. (I hadn’t tried the 2013 blend since it arrived earlier in the week from Verdant)

I explained that when I am reviewing tea, I always taste without adding anything, slurp the tea to spray the flavor on my taste buds. Later on in the tasting, I add some sugar (or Splenda) and milk because I know people do this so I try it out too.

The 2013 blend is sweet from the fruity oolong. I was surprised at how little chocolate or pu’er released on the first steep (not that I disapprove of oolong but I’m an avowed pu’er lover as most people know). I was a little disappointed because the blend seemed thin and one-note.

Pu-er blooms. I knew better than to think that this was the pu-er I was tasting.

There are always hidden surprises with blended tea’s. If you pour one steeping and stop there, it may be that you’ve stopped just short of the big reveal and such a shame it would be.

I poured more water and steep two was a revelation.

Shimmering glints of cinnamon melting into liquid pools of melted pu’er and Zhu Rong reminded me of peaches dipped into pots of dark chocolate fondue. The texture was thicker and richer with the fruit blended into the other tea’s and not the dominating player.

The more you steep this blend, the more there is to like.

I have a habit of steeping pu’er a long time when I want to add milk to it. If you want a strong brew to add sugar and milk or cream to, this holds up very well. Steeping a long time (3-5 minutes) on the 2nd or 3rd steep forward, works! I actually prefer mine strong!

I chose this for my morning tea again today. It’s raining on the Frontrange. You would think that Fall had arrived overnight and a drizzle with tea this comforting couldn’t be more perfect.

Steeping on the second steep 4 minutes, adding sweetening and cream in a mug…ah…yes…

maybe a nap later.

When you live in a semi-arid zone at high altitude, rain is precious. My phone bleeps out flash-flood warnings because the rain comes down so fast and hard as though a pitcher has been upturned in the heavens…and then it’s over. Quickly.
The rare drizzle day with light rain is cause for celebration with tea. Through the year from September until June (10 months) there isn’t any rain (usually only July has monsoons).

Sitting with what the earth gives in rain and tea is cause for gratitude and joy. I know the hand that holds these energies.

I emptied the end of my 1oz packet into my Finum brew basket because today I should be receiving another 4oz. of this super delicious, can’t be without it blend! It’s just what I want for breakfast! Perfect!
(If Verdant discontinues this one I’m heading to their office and having a talk with the boss is all I can say! Watch out Mr. Duckler!)

What I love about luscious Black Tea’s and Verdant Puer’s with a little spice and love…is all here in one nice blend. Like a hug in the morning this cup is so rich and creamy.
I’m too old for Teddy Bears and too vain for fuzzy slippers, but this tea has all the warm comfort I want.

We all know what’s right around the bend. Fall and Winter.
Just a few weeks away and the winds will pick up a chill, then a flurry somewhere around All Hallow’s Eve. I’ll sit on my sofa with a mug of this warm tea with a smile on my face, watching for the first time (I was unable to see when I was mostly blind last year), the first snow come floating down outside my big window.

Note to Verdant. Just cross out Summer and put in Winter!
Imperial Winter Blend by Verdant Tea. ;) (A suggestion)

I love this blend and up goes the rating. I can almost chew on this tea it’s so full of body! Nom nom and so many of you Steepster’s say!

I’m Back! Hi my Friends!

I’ve been very, very sick the past few days with a violent allergic reaction to a handful of dried peas.
This was something like being seasick and having the flu and a migraine all at the same time.
Today is the first time I’ve been able to eat anything or drink tea.
Hooray for Tea!
Very carefully, I chose a tea that was not flavored with anything that would make me turn green since I’m still a little queezy.
A good malty tea with warm chocolate and caramel tone would go down well and Puer would be good for my stomach also.
I’ve had the past version of the Breakfast Blend as a sample, but not the Imperial Breakfast Summer Blend. I had ordered the tasting set of Alchemy Blends which arrived today (great timing).

This afternoon, I prepared a 24oz pot of tea. I was so ready, you have no idea how much I had missed tea for 2 days. I chose Western Style brewing so that I could continue with multiple steepings for soothing my stomach throughout the afternoon and to rehydrate myself.

Steep time 1min. Color of liquor light golden honey brown.

The tea was malty and naturally cocoa cinnamon with good body. The richness was what I wanted…a real tea hug. I can’t explain it better than that. I love this tea flavor. Malty, caramelly, cocoa rich tea makes me do a bad, bad thing.
I have an addiction!
When I run into a very good malty tea, I go to my secret stash of ginger cookies and take a few…
and slowly break off pieces of cookie and eat it crumb by sweet spicy crumb while drinking the malty cocoa, creamy tea.
I can’t explain the sensual goodness…the delight in this combination…of unsweetened tea…that blends in the mouth with the sweet of the ginger cookie somehow enhancing the flavor of the tea. Oh My Goodness! Absolutely sensational!

So, yes…ok…I went for it and had the cookies and tea and I came alive again! (Here I should insert organ music like in the Phantom of the Opera…She’s Alive!)…The tea was…Delicious!

I’ve conversed with a few people lately about what Puer would be good for evey day use and this is one tea that I recommend because the Puer is mixed with other tea’s as a blend. This is such a delicious tea, a perfect way to begin the day and a wonderful tea to have as an afternoon stress reducer.

I’m back! (Not in the horror movie sense of the phrase) ; )

I know I just complained about drinking hot tea, but I just have so many new samples from generous Steepsterites that I can’t resist!! So, I cranked up the A/C, and now it’s time for some hot tea! Woot! :D

This one in particular is verrrrrry exciting! I thought it was Golden Fleece, but it’s actually Yunnan Golden Buds. Which means I received yet another awesome Yunnan Verdant tea from Kittenna!! You rock!

The brewed tea aroma is resplendent! Can I say that to describe a tea? I think so. Resplendent!!! After the first sip, I sighed with pleasure. This tea is just…I’m speechless. It’s just incredible. Amazing. It has natural notes of cocoa and malt with some honey thrown in for good measure. Sooooo good!!!!

It’s a good thing I’m home alone, because this tea is evoking some salacious sounds from me, hehehe. ;) I was originally planning on steeping the Golden Fleece right after this to compare the two. But now I kind of want to hoard it, haha! The second steep for 2.5 minutes is just as delicious as the first! Nearly identical, only slightly milder and smoother.

I’m probably gonna’ go for at least four infusions here. There just aren’t enough adjectives in the English language to describe how spectacular this tea is. Thanks soooo much for sharing Kittenna!!!

Yes- I’ve been steeping this up again from yesterday (all morning and afternoon). Such a treat!

Yummmmm.. indulgent and amazing. A late afternoon-evening treat. I am definitely going to keep steeping this tomorrow.
Lots and lots of baked goods in this cup today: pumpkin pie (creamy, silky, so delicious) and baked apple pies (yum!). Can you believe the mouthfeel on this? And how stunning the buds are? Mmm.. also a field of clovers.
I’m a very lucky duck that a little sample of this found it’s way into my “Drink at work!” baggy.

I feel very lucky to have received this gift of tea. So lucky, I have not wanted to write about this tea. What can I say about it that has not been said? To speak would imply judgement, and how can I pass judgement over a gift such as this? I am happy to drink and learn.

I can say nothing but Thank You.

It’s a pleasure to meet you, Golden Fleece. I am thoroughly enjoying our time together.

I received this as a sample from Verdant Teas so a “Thank You Very Much” is in order! I am so glad I got to try this. It is not something I would choose on my own mainly because of my “newness” to the world of tea. At this stage in the game my lack of “tea experience” really hinders me from identifying all the unique flavors that unfold with each steeping of this tea (that so many others can distinguish). But I do know I love the size and smell of these leaves!
Right now I can simply say I really really like this tea!

Complex and wonderful. An adventure.

Another Verdant white tea night. The aroma of dry leaf when it falls to the bottom of my warmed mug is incredible, so green and creamy, it takes me away, leaving all my cares behind. Lovely dark curly leaves turn vibrant green when steeped for mere seconds and produce the palest gold liquor. Now in this tasting I can’t help to compare this to the Aged Yunnan White I drank last night whereas the description contrasts it more with the green. In this respect I find the first steep to be quite creamy in addition to being silky, its just a very different silky than the silver needle, it’s thicker and greener and milkier, yes milky. And yes, I am very much reminded of the Laoshan greens, but this white suits my taste buds better than the intense but still delicious greens. I have a hard time pinning down the second infusion but the third brings new sweetness which has coated my tongue and seems intent to stay and I am very content with that. This is so very good and I am so grateful to be drinking this, thank you to the folks at Verdant Tea and the farmers of Laoshan for their continued innovation, hard work and artistry.

Thank you LiberTEAS for this great sample!

I must say this is one great green tea!

There is much more found in this tea than grassy notes only; there is a nice thickness to this one, as well. It seemed full and creamy even on my third steeping of these leaves. The fluid is smooth, slightly sweet and has great substance.

No wonder why this one is such a favorite among many of the reviews! I’m hoping to stock up on this tea in the near future.

I’ve had this tea for two years now and somehow lost interest in it. Obviously it isn’t as fresh as it once was, but I don’t have too many white teas in my stash. I thought I’d at least try brewing this up to see what I think of it now.

I’ve stored this fairly well in an airtight container away from light. I am getting some creamy, almond notes but the tea seems a little bit flat. I liked this a lot when I first got it so I think it just has to be the age. Now will I keep it or toss it? Perhaps I could try the cold brew treatment with this now. I don’t seem to drink white teas or green teas fast enough. Of course if I didn’t have so many teas to begin with that would really help. ;-)

very interesting tea – I had to get this in my latest order from Verdant as I love white teas. I am drinking this tonight in a wine glass, aren’t I sophistimicated?

Anyway, this is lovely! I am surprised by the flavors and everything going on here with this tea. I decided to steep it for two minutes at 165F — Western style — but would like to gongfu it sometime just to see what that’s like.

I got a nice, clear infusion and I agree with Doug that it has some similarities to a dragonwell; the light vegetal notes with a hint of butteriness is what struck me first about it. There is a definite light creamy element about it that is rather charming. The clover element is what sticks with me through the finish. I’m not really getting vanilla soymilk, but perhaps I need to steep it differently in order for that to happen? It isn’t as sweet as some white teas I have tried, but still rather nice all the same. A very nice offering from Verdant! I don’t know why I am so sleepy this evening, or I would try to write more… I feel like all I do is work, sleep, eat and drink tea!

Now this is my comfort tea of the evening. So pure, so silky, so hydrating. The leaves are stunning silver and silky to the touch, they glisten and darken when brewed. The liquor is silky on the tongue and so just enlivening. The word nectar keeps coming back to me, flower nectar not fruit, yet some how I think that would be too sweet, or sticky or even astringent, this is just divine but I’d so honeysuckle is fairly accurate. Ooo and there is peach in the bottom of this cooled cup. Brewed three short steeps in a row in my 10oz glass infuser mug only a third of the way full, all of them heavenly and I’m going back for more.

Fourth steep is more familiar white tea territory, herbaceous, rosemary, bit of pine and hay. Fifth has some creamy green tea qualities and the sixth I’m sipping on? Smells like honey, tastes like honeydew and several of these infusions have left the sensation of cocoa powder on the tongue. I know I’ve tasted several of these things before, but not all from one tea and not all so pure. Oh how I wish I could buy I cake of this to age.

This a tasty and lovely herbal blend from Verdant tea. If you read my tealog, you may know I am a fan of tulsi but some blends are better than others, of course. The peppermint and the spearmint are a nice compliment to the tulsi here, which I am having after lunch. The licorice is adding a touch of sweetness, the ginger is not very strong here which is too bad, I could havve used a bit mre but I’m a ginger freak. Overall, I think this is an excellent blend and really relaxing. Too bad I’m not at a spa. :)