Popular Tasting Notes
Another great batch of Li Shan at a ridiculously low price. They also threw in a sample of Da Yu Ling, which might steal my heart from Li Shan. Tea is my favorite perfume and Da Yu Ling is exquisite. 6/28/13
This is a hidden treasure. $8 per ounce for Li shan oolong and no shipping fee? I was ready for disappointment. Instead, a beautifully fresh and fragrant Li shan with 4-5 nice steeps. Granted, I prefer winter Li shan, but this spring offering is delightful. Lighter, with the floral component coming in the later and longer steeps. Thank you, iTeapot.
Preparation
I seem to be developing quite a penchant for white tea. Its flavors are subtle and delicate, but can be exquisite, now that I’ve begun to distinguish them. Many white teas have a good resteep in them, IF the first pass is appropriately short (a long 1st steep will get bitter, anyway). For this first steep, I moistened the bag and its contents with a splash of cool water and let it sit a minute before pouring in the hot. This seems to protect delicate teas from getting bitter and astringent. (I credit the Guarani people of Uruguay for this idea, which they traditionally use for their yerba mate.)
Stash Fusion Honey and Ginseng is a brilliant white tea blend with a complex aroma and ample sweetness, just as-is. The light amber liquid is nutritious and delicious — it must be said. The honeybush flavor is akin to rooibos but less tart. For once, the ginseng comes along without creating a fuss. As a bonus, this plucky little bag took a 7 min resteep and produced a righteous 2nd cup!
This was a tea that hooked me good for about two weeks, and then I weaned off of it. I can’t remember why. I love the sweet tanginess of the blueberries, and I love that this tea is organic. I’ve accidentally over-steeped it a couple times though, it gets bitter quite fast. (As it is black tea.) I stick to a solid 5.5 minutes and I find it tastes lovely, any more than that… I don’t know if it will taste as lovely…
Preparation
The flavour of the dark roasted Hojicha is everything I had hoped it would be. It’s earthy and grassy but the smoky roasted flavour is a larger note. To me, this flavour profile is extremely cozy and soothing. It’s extremely rich and strong.
Flavors: Dark Wood, Earth, Grass
Preparation
At its best, this was a reasonable tea. It’s another of these teas with touches of chocolate and fresh, sweet, hay; but also with the tiniest hint of dry cider. What I didn’t get very strongly was the basic, generic tea taste.
I say ‘at its best’ as it was quite difficult to get right. First of all, it seems a very weak tea – I used more and more until I ended up using two heaped teaspoons to the mug. And it was difficult getting the timing right. I settled on three minutes brewing – trying to get more flavour by brewing for four minutes turned the dry cider element into the roughest scrumpy – the kind that makes your leg twitch when you’re drinking it – not what I appreciate in a cup of tea. Less tea or less brewing and it was bland.
It’s nice enough at its best but not a favourite.