Maple Cheesecake Ti Kwan Yin from 52Teas

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Oolong

Where to Buy:  52Teas

Product Description:

Here’s another extremely limited edition bonus blend. We have enough for exactly 24 1.5oz. pouches of this incredible blend, and when it’s gone, it’s GONE.

We started with a competition grade Ti Kwan Yin oolong for this blend and infused it with the flavors of sweet maple and tangy cheesecake. This is not going to last long, so get yours before it sells out.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

A few months ago, Frank from 52Teas posed a question in the Steepster Forum, asking for ideas/suggestions for flavors for a few very limited edition teas (or V.I.T. = Very Important Tea).  One of the suggestions I made for the Ti Kwan Yin was Maple Cheesecake … and viola!  Here it is!

And I have to tell you that this tastes even better than I imagined it would back when I suggested the flavor.  The Ti Kwan Yin is sweet, creamy and possesses toasty notes that compliment the maple flavors perfectly.  And I think what I like about this particular blend best is that the competition grade Ti Kwan Yin is not outplayed by these other flavors.  It stands out, strong and proud, as it should.

The maple flavor is sweet and offers a certain warmth to the cup, giving it a very autumnal kind of taste.  The “cheesecake” flavor at first seems a bit absent, but, as I near the end of my first cup, I find that it comes through very well, with a lip-smacking tangy flavor that is distinctly cheesecake-y.  And … what was that?  Yes, I did just taste a hint of buttery pastry-like flavor.  YUM!

Yes, 52Teas is my favorite tea company, and yes, I say this often:  this is one of 52Teas’ best blends yet!  But, this really is one of their better blends to come out recently.  Sadly, this is a V.I.T. blend which means it was also very limited and has sold out, and will most likely never be blended again.

But, if you were one of the lucky few that managed to get your hands on one of the few pouches of this blend, I recommend infusing your leaves at least twice.  The second infusion is even better than the first – the cheesecake flavors really seem to POP.  This tea is plenty sweet on its own, but if you want to bring out the flavors a little more, try adding a tiny pinch of sugar.  Or … better yet … try a drop or two of real maple syrup.

Absolutely delicious!

Dong Ding Cui Yu Oolong – Competition Grade IV from Life in Teacup

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Oolong

Where to Buy:  Life in Teacup

Product Description:

Production Region: Nantou County, Taiwan
Style: Traditional medium roast

Taster’s Review:

I love teas like this – ones that are full of mystery and intrigue.

The mystery begins with its welcoming aroma.  It is a lightly roasted scent with hints of a floral quality.  It’s very intriguing; beckoning me to sip.

The sip starts out with a light roasty-toasty taste.  What is so unique about this particular “roasty-toasty” Oolong is that that toasted flavor is delicate and doesn’t overwhelm the cup.  Instead, it is so light that it keeps me curious – did I just taste that?  And this curiosity keeps me sipping.

There is also a sweet vegetative taste to this Oolong that slowly evolves into more of a floral note.  Yet another subtle tone that keeps me wondering.

This particular Competition Grade appears to no longer be available on the Life in Teacup website, however, there are similar Oolongs that are available, and I highly recommend getting some before they sell out!

I prefer this tea hot, but it is alright iced too.  I have never been less than impressed with the teas I’ve received from Life in Teacup.  Their teas are always of utmost quality, and this tea is no exception.   This tea is delightful!