White2Tea – 2016 Daily Drinker

White2Tea says that this Daily Drinker is a tea “for the everyday”, “for the people.” I was like “uh, what does that… mean?”

I’m still not sure what that means.

But I *do* know that this orchid/honey tea is incredibly sweet while still not losing that rustic pu erh charm. It’s aged, but in a way that’s not rancid, or fishy, or musty, or cardboard-y, or whatever else you might fear out of pu erh.

It’s like an orchid oolong that’s in a retirement home, still sweet and sharing jokes that have been worn smooth and refined through multiple retellings. She’s the old lady in the nursing home that has a boyfriend (YOU GO GIRL) and slips other people’s grandkids the best candy.

This is one of the first teas I’ve ever drank that came from a cake, which meant it was a little more work. I had to snap off bits and try to crumble the right amount into my steeper. I think I gave it a good whack.

I don’t know what makes a tea a “daily drinker.” I sort of imagine it as an old shoe that you know will fit you nicely, even if you don’t wear it on special occasions. But that seems… somehow disparaging of the tea? Like “oh, this old thing? I drink it daily. I don’t even notice it any more.”

I think that this tea deserves to be a little more special. I shall drink it only every once in a while, until it’s complete.


Want to Know More About This Tea?

Leaf Type:  Pu Erh

Where to Buy:  White2Tea

Description

A blend of raw Puer material meant for the daily grind. Sweetness and a delightful fragrance.  Solid, reliable, affordable, and better quality than you’d expect for the price. Tea for the everyday. Tea for the people.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

2017 Old Reliable from White2Tea. . . .

It’s been a while since I have sipped on an impressive Puer. It seems like this one was calling me. The one I am writing about today is 2017 Old Reliable from White2Tea.

The puer was in solid but pieced-up form in the package and the package had Abraham Lincoln on it with the word SPIN placed upside-down.

Old Reliable was pressed in 2017 and according to the company website this is their infamous house blend…so it has to be pretty darn good, right?

As for my own personal findings…upon opening the package I was delighted to sniff a hint of dry berry aroma hiding among the more stereotypical puer smell. Once I infused my first cup I noticed the liquid smelling more like Earthy and that of damp wood. The sip was gentle and woodsy yet creamy and sweet.

The follow-up, second infusion was much darker, bolder, and the aftertaste was woodsy yet minty.

Both infusions were impressive and memorable. If I were to suggest a solid puer to keep on hand to please the masses – 2017 Old Reliable would be it. And in closing…it certainly lives up to its name!


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Puer
Where to Buy:  White2Tea
Description

Our infamous house blend; a solid daily drinker ripe Puer tea that you can count on. An excellent combination of value and quality, the Old Reliable is a blend of several years of material, so despite being pressed in 2017, it is ready to drink now and will only continue to improve over the next few years. A smooth, sweet, thick ripe Puer tea with a classic Menghai character.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Rou Gui Oolong from White2tea. . . .

If Big Red Robe (Da Hong Pao) had a brother this would be him.

It makes sense being that they are both Wuyi Oolongs. This one is unique.

Of course all teas are but this one in particular has a unique scent. New car smell? Earthy, woody, new car.

A very delicate flavor. Hits your palette and is gone before you know it. It is definitely earthy but somehow hard to pinpoint exactly what earthy flavors I am tasting.

Smooth mouth feel and golden amber color along with the unique flavor profile make this a must try.


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Oolong
Where to Buy: White2Tea
Description

This tea does not appear to be available now but click below for oolongs that are.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Rou Gui Oolong from White2Tea

It’s been a while since my last Rou Gui Oolong that I had to look it up and I believe the last Rou Gui I did have was from Cloudwalker Teas. So when I noticed Rou Gui Oolong from White2Tea I knew I HAD to try it.

This Rou Gui Oolong from White2Tea has a bit of a roasted aroma and taste to it. It infuses fairly dark for an oolong which is more or less a medium brown when you look at it in the cup! In addition to this Rou Gui Oolong from White2Tea being a bit roasted it also provides a good amount of rock and/or mineral flavor to it, too! This makes sense because it is a Wuyi Yancha or ‘Rock Tea’ after all.

The end sip on to the after taste has a lingering sweetness to it that makes me crave more. There are times I find comfort in the natural creaminess this tea gives off, too! It has a very full taste that seems to comes full circle! Rou Gui Oolong from White2Tea MUST go on my list of top oolongs I’ve tried this year!


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: White2Tea

 white2logo_400x100Description:

Our Rougui is a Wuyi Yancha, or rock tea, from Fujian province.

Thick and mineral in the mouth, this tea has a medium roast that combines roasted character with spicy notes that linger in the mouth for a long lasting aftertaste. This tea has smaller than average sized leaf for a wuyi oolong, but the tea packs a punch.

Each purchase is for 50 grams of tea.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Medium Roast Da Wu Ye Dan Cong Oolong Tea from White2Tea

Orchid_Dancong_Oolong_3Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Oolong Tea

Where to Buy: White2Tea

Tea Description:

I couldn’t find this exact tea on the White2Tea Website, however, I did find their Dark Feather Oolong – Dawuye Dancong which I think would be somewhat comparable and that description states as follows…Dark Feather Dancong oolong tea is a Dawuye variety oolong from the Guangdong province of China.  The tea has a light to medium roast and is sweet, fragrant, and has a lasting complex finish. Best brewed Gongfu style, the Dark Feather can be resteeped many times.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

This Medium Roast Da Wu Ye Dan Cong Oolong Tea from White2Tea was a nice experience.  Upon opening the sample bag I noticed long, sturdy pale grayish green leaves.  The dry scent is gently roasted yet semi-sweet.  Once infused the medium roast aroma is still there and it bumps up the sweetness to the overall scent, too!  The post-infusion liquor color is a palish-grayish-yellow.  The flavor has a nice amount of roast to it but an equally appreciated sweetness as well.  The aftertaste lingers nicely, too!  This has woodsy and earthy notes throughout the sip that fade in and out while you continue to sip it.

For those you appreciate a nice hearty roasted oolong try Medium Roast Da Wu Ye Dan Cong Oolong Tea from White2Tea I think you just might like it…I know I did!