After sampling at least 5 of Bitterleaf’s teas I guess it’s about time I declared myself one of their fans! Giant White Moonlight 2015 Spring Jing Gu Tea from Bitterleaf is considered an “anytime tea” and I agree for the most part. Personally, I look for a ‘smack you in the face’ sort of strong tea first thing in the morning but any other time this one will certainly do well!
Giant White Moonlight 2015 Spring Jing Gu Tea from Bitterleaf has tri-colored long leaves. The aroma while dry is incredibly crisp . Once infused there is a hint of sweetness to the nose.
As for the taste on the tongue – Giant White Moonlight 2015 Spring Jing Gu Tea from Bitterleaf – is pretty incredible! It’s delicate yet delightful! It has a sweeter-floral flavor but it’s hydrating and almost naturally fruity in a mysterious way!
As a white tea I really love this. It’s a Yunnan White, too, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that I like this as much as I do. Giant White Moonlight 2015 Spring Jing Gu Tea from Bitterleaf is awesome!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White Tea
Where to Buy: Bitterleaf
Description:
A great “anytime” tea, this exclusive to Yunnan white tea is both light and delicate, but with a wild spirit. An early vegetal taste develops into a subtle sweetness with subsequent brewings. Drink it now, or store it for the future, as this is a white tea that is particularly suitable for aging.
Click here for more information about this tea and brewing instructions.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Dragon Blood Zi Juan Purple Tea 2015 Spring Lin Cang from Bitterleaf
It’s been a while since I have had a good, solid Purple Tea. Dragon Blood Zi Juan Purple Tea 2015 Spring Lin Cang from Bitterleaf is a PRIME example of an excellent one!
Dragon Blood Zi Juan Purple Tea 2015 Spring Lin Cang from Bitterleaf has a grey-purple color leaf look to it that are stiff and pressed – of course – on infused the leaves loosen up and swim free. The flavor of this tea is slightly vegetal, a tad sweet, and a mellow pu-erh type flavor all rolled into one.
I’m happy to see more and more purple teas on the market. I’m looking forward to the different qualities, different offerings, and to see if companies out there will start flavoring purple tea. Stand alone – Dragon Blood Zi Juan Purple Tea 2015 Spring Lin Cang from Bitterleaf – is one of the best tasting ones I have had to date.
Here’s the scoop:
Leaf Type: Purple Tea
Where to Buy: Bitterleaf
Tea Description:
Our Dragon Blood Zi Juan Purple is sourced from a variety of tea that naturally has higher levels of anthocyanin. This not only gives the tea a purple colour, but gives it higher antioxidant properties which can promote cardiovascular health. Aside from the heralded health benefits, this is a unique tea, with a slight vegetal taste leading to a smoky sweetness. Processed similarly to a raw Puer, this tea can be stored for later or enjoyed now.
We can’t make any verifiable claims about whether or not this tea can or can’t give you super powers, so it’s best to just try for yourself.
Click here for more information about this tea and brewing instructions.
Our Dragon Blood 2015 Zi Juan Purple tea is a truly unique offering with an almost indescribable taste. It’s perhaps easiest to say that “it tastes like purple tea” – in other words, you just have to try it for yourself!
This Lin Cang area spring tea has been processed and pressed into cakes, similarly to how raw Puer is, imparting a slight vegetal, raw Puer taste, with some mild astringency. This is about the extent of its overlap with raw Puer though, as the bulk of its character is a complex, “purple tea” flavor, with unique hints of smoky sweetness that comes out more and more with each infusion.
Purple tea is often cited for its health benefits. These health benefits, as well as its dark purple colour, are due to higher levels of anthocyanin found in the tea. This in turn results in higher antioxidant activity and can promote cardiovascular health by way of anti-inflammatory properties and aiding in the reduction of blood pressure, lipid and blood sugar levels.* By undergoing minimal processing (similar to raw Puer), our Zi Juan purple tea optimizes these benefits. This is in contrast to purple teas that are processed using a black tea method (fully oxidized), which affects the chemical makeup of the tea and nullifies the positive effects of the high anthocyanin levels.
This tea brews up a beautiful light purple colour. Using additional leaves for a strong brew will yield a deeper purple soup, however the taste will be quite strong by that point, so we do not recommend brewing past the point of a light purple colour.
* With that said, we’re not doctors and are not qualified to make definitive claims (nor be held responsible) regarding the health benefits of this tea. Simply drinking this tea will not miraculously counteract the effects of washing down a bag of Doritos with Pepsi during a 10 hour Netflix marathon. This tea does, however, go well with a healthy diet and exercise.
Source:
This tea comes to us by way of the previous head of production and quality inspection with the formerly government owned Lin Cang Tea Factory. He now produces his own teas and has been able to work with us to provide this Lin Cang Zi Juan purple tea (as well as our 2015 Feng Qing Dian Hong, 2015 Fall Bing Dao and 2015 Spring Bang Dong raw Puer.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here.
Fox Tail (Ancient Tree Black Tea) 2015 Spring Feng Qing from Bitterleaf Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Bitterleaf Teas
Tea Description:
Dian Hongs are a special breed of black tea, and this 2015 Spring Feng Qing Golden Tip, or Fox Tail as we’ve affectionately named it, is no different. Comprised solely of high quality tips from Feng Qing, this highly fragrant Dian Hong has a sweet, smooth taste throughout. It’s impossible to miss the consistent scent of freshly baked caramel cookie, along with a hint of citrus sweetness. This is apparent from the smell of emptied cup and even the smell of the soup.
This medium bodied tea is very pleasant, but without being overwhelming. We highly recommend this for drinkers who enjoy black teas and are looking for something new. If you are unfamiliar with what a Dian Hong tea is, please have a read here for more info.
Source:
This tea comes to us by way of the previous head of production and quality inspection with the formerly government owned Lincang Tea Factory. He now produces his own teas and has been able to work with us to provide this Feng Qing Dian Hong (as well as our 2015 Fall Bing Dao and 2015 Spring Bang Dong raw Puer.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Fox Tail (Ancient Tree Black Tea) 2015 Spring Feng Qing from Bitterleaf Teas…what a mouthful to say…and a mouthful of tea to drink!
First I would like to comment on the aroma of this interesting cuppa! Fox Tail (Ancient Tree Black Tea) 2015 Spring Feng Qing from Bitterleaf Teas smells rustic but at the same time like a fine, sweet cigar, too! Not to mention the hints of baked cookies! I have to say I don’t think I have ever described a tea like that before – with all 3 reminiscent notes to them, that is.
The first impression on flavor of this tea was a combination of mellow, sweet, wet wood and almost a tobacco type note laying underneath to it, too! I don’t think I have ever tasted a tea quite like Fox Tail (Ancient Tree Black Tea) 2015 Spring Feng Qing from Bitterleaf Teas. I chalk that up as a GOOD THING because with all of the teas I do try I seem to be on the everlasting search for teas that stand out.
I have a feeling that this is one of those teas where there will be multiple opinions and takes on, therefore, I will be sending it to Nichole to see what she thinks about this tea, too! You just might see more than one review on this one, folks! Very. Memorable. Tea. Fox Tail (Ancient Tree Black Tea) 2015 Spring Feng Qing from Bitterleaf Teas!!