Premium Jasmine Dragon Pearls Green Tea

I received this after being contact by a lovely woman from Teavivre. Sadly it had been sitting at the post office for over a week before anyone got around to deliver it. (Thankfully my postman rocks and signed for it himself and left it at our place)

Anyway, when I opened the package I smelled the jasmine instantly. I’m not usually a huge jasmine fan, but I was willing to give this a try. I’m very glad I did. This was very yummy. It has a very sweet and crisp taste to it. I can’t wait to try the others as this was a good start to the samples that were sent.

I guess you would say I’m double fisting Teavivre style this morning. I enjoy jasmine teas quite a bit. They are not everyday teas for me but there is a comfort that jasmine brings to me. It reminds me so much of summer and going on vacation. Dragon pearls fascinate me as well…as do other artisan teas. Yes Hollywood has corrupted me because every time I hear pearl I think Pirates of the Caribbean. If you saw my previous post about pirates and drinking tea. Arrr! I think there is a beauty in watching the pearls open up like watching a Ti Kuan Yin open up. I really like this version of pearls because the jasmine is a little more subtle and not overpowering. This would be a great after dinner or afternoon tea. Thus continuing my high esteem for Teavivre.

I drink GALLONS upon GALLONS of green tea, and Dragon Pearls are among my favorite varieties. It’s just great how the little pearls slowly unfurl steep after steep. They’re super-portable, and among my favorite teas to travel with.

I’ve had Dragon Pearls from over a dozen different tea companies, and these are among the best of them. They do what Dragon Pearls are supposed to do, and taste how they’re supposed to taste. The oily, floral taste is present on the forefront and the aftertaste, but it isn’t overbearing at all. Just perfect. This is the third tea that I’ve tried from Tea Vivre, and they’ve really won be over with their high-quality teas.

Loose
Appearance: bicolor pearls
Aroma when Dry: light floral, creamy jasmine
After water is first poured: same notes as dry, addition of faint earthy woody note
At end of first steep: slightly floral, jasmine
Tea liquor:
At end of first steep: buttery brown
Staple? Type yes
Preferred time of day: any
Taste:
At first: bitter, floral, jasmine
As it cools ? Notes open up, tea starts tasting soapy, tea starts to sour
Additives used (milk, honey, sugar etc)? No
Lingers? Yes, jasmine soap texture

Second steep (3 min)
Taste: Jasmine soap

Very delicious tea, that was not overly powerful with jasmine fragrance. Very smooth and sultry!! A nice jasmine “pearl” that can be enjoyed anytime ;)

This was a very lovely tea. I already have some that was purchased in Flushing N.Y. and I really love it. It is one of those Jasmines that have a very soft fragrance and the flavor is sweet and delicate and it becomes more intricate with each steeping. I brewed this in the Gaiwan and it is one of those teas that seems like it could steep forever without losing its flavor. I had around 6 steepings and it was still going strong. I truly believe Jasmine are a nice nightcap. They are very relaxing and in all honesty I think last nights Silver Jasmine knocked me out. So far I am very happy with all of the tea that Angel from Teavivre has sent me. I like to cold brew Dragon Pearls not only to watch the pearls unfurl but to enjoy the beautiful flavor….

It smells amazing and tastes just like it smells. Very floral wirh a slight hint of bitterness at the end which I find common with jasmine. Very nice and relaxing. I left my tea loving friend with the rest of the sample. I know he’ll appreciate it. :)

Does anyone else want to bathe in jasmine tea? I think I’d smell so good afterwards.

1st steep:
Steeped this at the same time as another Jasmine pearl which I shall not name here.

The initial aroma from the other pearl was more evident (tho the scent was stronger from this package than from the other one)

I left both teas steeping until I finished sipping them.

This Jasmine pearl had a deeper color liquor and stronger aroma. But it was not too strong for me. It was: just right!

The flavor was perfect too! I also love that it was super smooth…

Thank you Kasumi and Teavivre (samples from them arrived at the same time and Kasumi’s was a surprise! shouldve picked a different tea to sample from Teavivre, hahaha)

will report on resteeps later

I’m not typically a jasmine fan but after this sample from Teavivre I may be a convert. It was incredibly smooth with no astringency whatsoever, and the floral taste was fresh and bold without being overpowering. I had it at work and felt like I had momentarily escaped to a garden tea party. I just wish I had made this in something transparent so I could watch these little guys unravel more and more with each steep. Resteeped twice with just as much flavor as the first time. Another hit from Teavivre.

Tonight I did a tasting of this tea and Silk Road Teas Jasmine pearl tea, to see if I could pick a favorite. I’m still not sure. Teavivres pearl won me over in the aroma category; it was sweeter, even though neither were overpowering in any way. Silk roads pearl was a little heavier on the jasmine ( but still not actually heavy, just heavier than Teavivres) in flavor, so at first I was leaning towards that one. But Teavivres has a sweeter aftertaste. Overall, I like this tea and I am very happy to get the chance to try some! Thank you to Angel and Teavivre! I am looking forward to spending more quality time with this tea sample. :)