Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Samovar
Tea Description:
Because it was grown and processed in Hawaii, this oolong’s flavor profile is a singular experience. The leaves are young, artfully consistent and vibrantly colored with slightly oxidized edges. They brew into a sophisticated, delicate, pale yellow-green infusion. The flavor of the brew is elusive and complex. It’s somewhat reminiscent of a Baochong oolong, but less fruity. It has some of the grassiness of a sencha, but it’s not brothy. It’s flinty, crisp, smooth and cooling, with mild, tropical notes of green papaya. Fleeting hints of pine, evergreen, Kahili ginger flowers (which are locally abundant) and honey add to the complexity of this enticing brew.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Amazing! I absolutely am loving the Hawaiian-grown teas. They truly are unique.
I can indeed taste the influence that the tropical climate and surroundings have had on these leaves. I can absolutely taste the papaya and the woodsy tones, as well as the floral notes. It has a delectable sweetness that is quite honey-like.
The sip starts with sweetness, honey undertones and a hint of woody spice (cinnamon?) … but just a hint. Just enough to make my taste buds say “whoa, what was that?” and then it’s gone just as quickly as it presented itself. Throughout the sip, there is a floral overtone, with hints of papaya where notes of peach would probably be if this were another Oolong. Sweet and even a little sour, but nothing that overwhelms the palate.
The mouthfeel is smooth and supple, with a buttery-like quality. In subsequent infusions, I notice that the mouthfeel becomes lighter, and the silkiness subsides. The sip ends cleanly, with a hint of lingering sweet, flowery notes.
Truly a worthwhile experience to anyone who enjoys Oolong teas.
Samovar Tea from Kusmi Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Kusmi Tea
Tea Description:
This tea owes its name to the heated metal container traditionally used to heat and boil water in and around Russia, a classic symbol of daily life in Russia. This tea is a blend of lightly smoked black teas from India and China. Perfect with savory or spicy dishes.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
The very first time I was given a sample of this tea, I sent it off to a friend without even trying it. All I did was take a quick whiff of it, and the smoky tones were immediately off-putting to me.
That was several years ago.
Since that time, I have been slowly gaining an appreciation for smoky teas, and while I doubt I will ever proclaim them as my favorite “flavored” tea, I find myself enjoying them far more than I ever thought possible back when I was put off by the mere scent of them.
And of the many smoky black teas that I’ve tried since that time and have enjoyed, I think that this one may be one of my favorites. I really like this a whole lot more than I ever thought I would, and now as I am sitting here, enjoying this cup of Samovar Tea from Kusmi, I am regretting sending off that sampling of it way back when.
The dry leaf actually presents a stronger smoky presence than the flavor offers, in my opinion. Sure, I still taste that smoke flavor, but, it mingles with tones of caramel and malt and even a hints of freshly baked bread notes that the smokiness is hardly a detraction. Instead, it becomes part of a unique set of flavors that has me coming back for more.
The flavor is rich and satisfying. There is some astringency to this, and it is quite noticeable, but, I find that it too, adds to the satisfaction of this tea as it cleanses the palate between sips and keeps it from being too overwhelmed by richness – and yes, the smokiness – of this tea.
Overall, a delicious cup of tea. One that I’d not only be happy to enjoy again, but one that I could see myself buying in the future! Given my apprehension about smoky teas … that is saying something!
Ancient Gold Organic Black Tea from Samovar
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Samovar
Product Description:
Gold-flecked tea from the tribe on Jingmai Mountain. Wild-crafted, 1,300 year-old trees deliver a smooth, fuzzy, malty brew of sweet ore. Brew once for balance. Brew twice to enter a dark forest.
Taster’s Review:
As I sip this tea, I think I have found a new favorite. Now, mind you, I have many “favorites” – as my favorites tend to fluctuate depending upon my mood, the season of the year, and so on. But, there are a treasured few teas that I consider FAVORITES – ones for which my love seldom waivers regardless of time or mood.
This tea has almost immediately (love at first sip) become one of those favorites. It is so rich and smooth and well-rounded. It is bold and has a malty tone to it that would rival some of the best Assam teas I’ve tried. There is a delicious, deep flavor to this tea. It is a toothsome tea with a baked-biscuity kind of character to it. I get a bittersweet cocoa note and by about mid-cup, the sweetness develops into a fruit-like flavor. This is so amazingly good.
The sip begins with a hint of sweetness, and as the sip washes over the palate, a complex set of flavors comes to life: deeply set flavors of chocolate with an earthiness in the background. Around mid-sip, I notice hints of fruit, spice and wood. The sip ends with a drying astringency and an aftertaste of sweet raisins.
I highly recommend this tea to any tea enthusiast – it is a MUST try.
Jasmine Peach Bai Mu Dan from Samovar
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: Samovar
Product Description:
Organic white tea, organic osthmanthus flowers, organic jasmine flowers, natural peach flavor and natural essential oils of orange and tangerine blended in the U.S.
Flavor Profile: Consummately floral, with notes of fresh citrus, white peach, white pepper, toasted amaranth and a trace of fresh blueberries.
Taster’s Review:
This is a beautifully floral tea – I love how well the jasmine and the osmanthus work together. It creates a light and lively flower-y essence that is not sharp like some floral notes can be, and because of the fruit-like flavors of the osmanthus, the flavors here do not come across as soapy.
The white tea is very delicate here. There is a whisper of vegetation to this tea that is barely there, mostly what I taste from the tea is the white tea sweetness with a hint of spice. It sits in the background, making its presence known without being too obsequious.
The peach flavor is the real star – I love how it shines through! It tastes like a fresh, ripe peach, bursting with flavor! The citrus tones of this tea bring a little tangy flavor to the cup, just enough tart to keep it from being too sweet.
This is a lovely white tea. It is one that was sold out at the time that I wrote this review, I do hope that the supply will be replenished. It is a fantastic springtime tea!
Hawaii Grown Black Tea from Samovar
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Samovar
Company Description:
Origin: Hawaii Island, Hawaii, USA
Flavor Profile: Thanks to the emerging terroir of Hawaii, this black tea’s flavor profile is completely different from that of any other tea. It is tremendously clean, smooth and refined, with no astringency or bitterness even when brewed for long periods.
High-quality leaves brew into a crystalline amber infusion. A thin, crisp body yields delicate notes of mugicha (roasted barley tea), caramel, barley malt and rice syrup, with a slight taste of roasted sweet potato. Each sip warms, refreshes and reveals new dimensions of flavor.
Taster’s Review:
As I sit here, writing this, it is the first time tasting this amazing tea. I’ve known about it for quite some time, but it is a rare tea that seems to sell out very quickly… and it’s become available again only very recently. This was the first chance I had to order some… and I am glad that I did!
I was quite reluctant at first, because it seemed a bit pricey to me. But after hearing so many people on Steepster RAVE about this tea, I HAD to bite the bullet and order some. And let me tell you – this tea is worth every penny.
This is one of the best teas I’ve ever tasted. And it makes me so happy that it’s hard to contain myself to find the words to describe it for you. Yes, it’s really that good.
It has a deep, rich sweetness to it that I would describe as a burnt sugar sweetness… SO GOOD. There is a bread-like flavor to it too, I’ve seen other people on Steepster describe it as a Rye bread kind of flavor, and I agree with that comparison.
There is absolutely no astringency to this – which is rather unique for a black tea. There is also no hint of bitterness.
Now I must come clean here and admit that I didn’t brew it according to the package directions… I went into “auto mode” and measured some of the leaves into my Kati tumbler. Because these leaves are ENORMOUS and curly it is difficult to measure the way I typically would (via tea spoon), so instead, I just eyeballed it. I allowed it to steep for 3 minutes, and the result is what sits in front of me now, and I’m quite elated with this cuppa. Plus, by the look of the leaves, I can get at least one more infusion out of this, possibly two!
Next time I brew it I will use my gaiwan using shorter steep times and see if I can note any differences in flavor.
Everyone should try this tea. Even if you don’t like tea, you should try this tea. Even if you don’t like black tea, you should try this tea. It is amazing!