Hello, fellow tea drinkers!
This week I officially got back my taste buds after being ill and I thought it was wise to partake in my first cup of white tea. So I figured that Tea n’ Joy’s White Peony was the way to go, for based on the description this tea is a perfect starter for black tea drinkers.
As far as white tea goes I didn’t know what I was expecting for my friends have informed me that white tea is usually very bland. Given that impression, I took that first sip and was pleasantly surprised. I will say that when I think of white tea I think of something that is light and cleansing and this brew did deliver that. But in addition to the palette cleansing, I was also greeted with a sweet after taste. It’s hard to put a description on it but the best that I can say is that it has a creamy sweetness. Also, White Peony goes amazing with cookies or biscotti. I myself used an almond chocolate biscotti and I did not regret it!
Now how hard is this tea going to hurt your wallet? Well at 4 oz it is priced at $18, 8 oz is $26, and $42 for 16 oz. So doing the math that is $4.50 an ounce which is normal for most loose leaf tea blends nowadays. Now I did not see an option to buy this tea as a sample outright but if you do make a purchase on their qualifying tea blends (White Peony is a blend that is qualified) you can receive two samples.
Given that this tea did appeal to me as an almost exclusively black tea drinker I will be sure to purchase this blend in the future. This blend has also motivated me to try other blends from Tea n’ Joy, their blend Earl Gray Moon is most definitely catching my eye.
See you for the next cuppa!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: Tea ‘n Joy
Description
Also known as “Pai Mu Tan” or “Bai Mu Dan,” White Peony is the second-most famous white tea after Silver Needle (“Bai Hao Yin Zhen”). Its flavor is bolder and deeper than Silver Needle, making it an exceptional choice for new white tea drinkers, especially those who usually prefer black teas. Refreshing and faintly reminiscent of fresh apples with a lovely, lingering flavor.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Yuzu Ginger Macaron Cookie White Tea from 52Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Tea Description:
The inspiration for this tea is actually one of our start-up Kickstarter backers that purchased a “create a tea of the week” option when she contributed to that campaign (thank you!) – she wanted a Yuzu Ginger Macaron Cookie Tea and she wasn’t sure if she wanted that with our White Peony base or our green tea blend. She told me that she’d leave that decision to me so I tested out both bases with these flavors and I ultimately decided that the White Peony tea made a better base for these flavors. The Yuzu fruit notes were not as well defined with the green tea – but with the white tea you get a juicy, citrus-y burst of flavor that’s tart and tangy, a wee bit sweet and a wee bit bitter – just like the Yuzu itself.
The ginger adds a warm dimension of flavor and I’m even getting a slight almond-y meringue note that evoke thoughts of a delicate macaron cookie. I gotta admit that when I was given this cookie tea challenge, I was more than just a little worried because Yuzu is not a flavor that I’m very familiar with and I worried that I wouldn’t do right by the Yuzu fruit. And whether or not I actually have done that – I’ll leave it for you to decide after you’ve tasted it. As for me, I’m quite pleased with how this turned out.
Learn more about this tea here.
Learn about subscribing to 52Teas Tea of the Week program here.
Taster’s Review:
I will be honest. I am not a fan of ginger teas. Never have been. I find that the overwhelming flavor of the ginger just hinders the rest of the tea. But that was until I discovered this tea.
At the beginning, this tea had me at the word “Cookie”. I am not a huge cookie fan either but I love trying any tea that has a dessert or baked good flavor and feel to them. This tea came in my last order with 52Teas and was (I believe) a last minute add in.
While I was combing thru my tea stash tonight, I noticed it and thought, I feel adventure some this eve, let’s go with it! I brewed the tea up per the instructions on the package. All the while the tea was steeping, I was enjoying this lovely ginger baked good aroma. This is one of those smells you want to bottle up and put in candle form.
After a few minutes of steeping, I poured myself a really large cuppa and sat down to let the tea cool for a few minutes. (The package indicated to do this). I couldn’t wait the full time it said to wait because the aromas were just mouth watering and I needed a sip.
First impression of this tea? This tea is a muted gingersnap cookie where the flavors are subtle and not overwhelming and smack you in the face. More or less a subtle ginger note surrounding by this cookie almost buttery like flavor. I didn’t pick up any of the Yuzu and to be honest, I had to research the fruit anyway. I guess the fruit is sour so I was glad it was a hidden flavor. I was quite surprised by how I couldn’t pick out the white tea base. Usually with 52Teas, I can always pick up the tea base, but this one I really couldn’t. All I was getting was this lovely light gingersnap cookie tea. I mean this tea made me want to eat a cookie and I can’t tell you the last time I ate a cookie.
Anne from 52Teas has always told me that the second infusion of a white tea is the best so I eagerly prepped my tea kettle up for the second infusion. I let the tea steep for just a minute or two longer before I sat down to enjoy. I instantly starting drinking the tea this time around instead of waiting. Which turned out to be an great decision!
The brew this second go around had a much richer and deeper flavor to it. The ginger was still not overwhelming but the spice wanted your attention. That buttery cookie like undertone was more prominent really giving your taste buds that cookie baked good like flavor. I still didn’t pick up any of the Yuzu or white tea but at this point I really didn’t mind. This tea was amazingly rich and full of flavor. This is one of those teas that wakes up your tastes buds.
I’m eagerly awaiting my third infusion now to see what happens with this round. Can’t believe how much I’m enjoying this tea!
Lilith’s Fabulous Tea from 52Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White Tea
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Tea Description:
Since it’s the week of my youngest daughter’s birthday, I decided I should create a tea inspired by her. Two of her favorite fruit flavors (especially fruit tea flavors) are Lemon and Blueberry. And she has felt a special love for cotton candy ever since she portrayed “cotton candy” in her ballet company’s rendition of Hansel & Gretel. So I put those three flavors together with her favorite tea base – white tea – and came up with this “fabulous” blend.
Now, lemon, blueberry and cotton candy may seem a little weird, but, it actually tastes quite FABULOUS!
Learn more about this tea here.
Learn about subscribing to 52Teas Tea of the Week program here.
Taster’s Review:
This tea from the start was absolutely gorgeous! I adored the huge chunks of fruit and the gorgeous presentation of the tea overall. The pops of color really gave this tea a vibrant overall take. Just lovely!
Brewed this up at work and was excited to treat myself to a tea that had any kind of connection to cotton candy. I mean c’mon. Cotton Candy is amazing! With that in mind, I couldn’t wait for this tea to finish steeping so I could take my first taste.
Took my first sip and I was sad to say that I didn’t get bulled over and wowed with lemon or blueberry flavors. They were present and delicious but it was like something was missing. So I cold brewed this tea.
Cold brewing sometimes can really pull out flavors that you would never expect from a tea. I cold brewed this tea overnight and my goodness, this tea was simply one of the best cold brewed teas I have ever have. Delicious all the way around. Beautiful lemon notes with a vibrant blueberry undertone. The white tea base laid a nice groundwork of subtly sweet and lightly floral like notes. Heaven in a glass. I added in some fresh lemon slices and a few blueberries . . . can’t get much better than that. It looks like there is still some of this sweet lovin’ tea on the site . . . If you want some of this amazing lemon blueberry white tea. . .you should probably check it out soon before I do!