Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: auraTeas
Product Description:
Origin: Mingjian, Nantou,Taiwan 名間.南投.台灣
Style: None oxidized, light roasted, medium bodied, light floral aroma
Loose leaf style: Half ball
Loose leaf color: Dark green
Wet leaf style: Dark green
tea color: Golden greenThis half ball shaped Formosa Mingjian Green Tea looks like Dongding Oolong, while maintains its none-fermented characteristics. It is lightly roasted (fired) to produce the distinct floral aroma. The tea is golden green in color, smooth and slightly sweet in taste. This is a great try as roasted Green Tea.
Taster’s Review:
When I first saw the dry leaf of this tea, I thought it was an Oolong. It definitely looks like a greener Oolong with its tightly wound leaves.
The flavor is very much like a fine quality green tea, though. Lightly vegetative and beautifully mellow, with hints of flower and fruit weaving in and out of the sip. The light roasting of this tea adds definition to these qualities. I love the delicate sweetness to this cup. It is a soft, light-bodied tea that is very refreshing.
Toward the end of the sip, I notice a slightly tangy, citrus-y characteristic that finishes sweet. There is very little astringency to this tea, and no bitterness (but don’t steep it at too high a temperature). It makes a great afternoon pick-me-up. A beautiful tea, indeed!
Yunnan Pu Er Small Tuocha (Ripe Pu Er) from auraTeas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Pu-erh
Where to Buy: auraTeas
Product Description:
At the time of writing this review, auraTeas had not yet added this tea to their website, so instead, I shall provide you with some information about auraTeas:
We at [auraTeas] strive to bring the best tea to the world, and we hope you could to join us. We insist to purchase from tea growers around the world to insure the quality, and show our respect to tea growers and masters. In tea, we live.
Taster’s Review:
OK… it’s no great secret that I’m just a little scared of Pu-erh. I had some not so successful experiences with it in the past and the memories of those bad experiences taint my current day encounters with the tea. Slowly, though, I find myself getting over those bad times, and the more I try it, the more I really enjoy Pu-erh!
This is a lovely Pu-erh from auraTeas. It comes packaged in a cotton-y paper, and it’s shaped like a bowl (a Tuocha). I placed the little Tuocha in my gaiwan, and added some near boiling water for 15 seconds just to awaken the leaves. Then I began brewing with near boiling water – 30 seconds for the first infusion, and 45 for the next… and so on.
The aroma of the brewed liquor is a bit intense. It is earthy, and it can be a little off-putting to those who don’t really like earthy flavors. But, rest assured, that the flavor is not quite as earthy as the aroma would lead one to believe. For those who might find the aroma off-putting, though, I would recommend not inhaling the aroma just before taking a sip (this is something I often do when sipping tea, as it usually enhances the experience). I find that when I do this, the earthy tones of the tea are brought into focus.
The tea is exceptionally smooth. One might think from the fragrance of the tea that it would taste a bit more rough or rugged, but, this is anything but! It has a deep, profound sweetness to it that is quite enchanting. There are some earthy notes to the taste, but they are not nearly as pronounced as they are in the aroma.
I love the caramel-y sweetness to this tea! This is a Pu-erh I would recommend to anyone who is finding themselves curious about Pu-erh. The tuocha makes it very easy to steep (and it’s kind of fun watching it steep too!) and you just may find that you really like Pu-erh.
I also recommend sipping this tea while enjoying a piece of chocolate (dark chocolate, if you please!) – it is a perfect match! Then again, what doesn’t taste better with a little chocolate?
Organic Golden Monkey Black Tea from auraTeas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: auraTeas
Product Description:
Origin: Wuyishan, Fujian, China 武夷山‧福建‧中國
Style: Fully oxidized, full bodied, light roasted, fruit aroma
Loose leaf style: Slender tightly curled
Loose leaf color: Brown and gold
Wet leaf style: Crimson
Tea color: Golden Crimson
Certification: USDA, BCS, JAS certified organicGolden Monkey is one of Wuyi Yen Cha (Wuyi Rock Tea, grown in spaces between mountain rocks) originated in Wuyi area of Fujian Province, China. It is one of the finest black tea from China. Golden Monkey tea is a mix of brown tea leaves and gold new buds, only hand processed in spring. Local legend says its name came from the monkeys help to harvest tea leaves grown in the crevices between rocks; modern interpretation is that the leaves look like monkey claws. Golden Monkey is full bodied with natural sweetness and fruity aroma, fully oxidized and light roasted. It is recommended to taste it without sugar and milk, you may open another door to black tea.
Taster’s Review:
I really like this tea. It has such an interesting complexity to it.
It is robust and bold like a black tea should be, but it is not so overwhelmingly bold that it interferes with the ability to appreciate the layers of flavor that this tea has to offer. It is smooth and bright tasting with a lightly drying astringency at the tail.
The tea presents a deliciously light sweetness that is fruity in character, but also has a warm, toasted quality to it as well. It reminds me a bit of what a roasted plum might taste like. There are some wine-like notes to this tea as well – not a bitter wine, but more of a fine, dry wine with a pleasant fruit finish.
And this tea MUST be infused a second time (and even a third!) The flavor of the second infusion is every bit as delicious as the first, although it is a little different. The flavor of the second steep is sweeter with a burnt-sugar caramel sweetness that lingers well into the finish.
This is an amazing black tea. It has such a delightful flavor and pleasant sweetness that it really needs no additional sweetener. I couldn’t imagine adding any sweetener to this! It’s really perfect just the way it is. I do recommend drinking it hot, though, as I found that some of the delicate nuances of this tea began to mute as it cooled. It is best consumed straight up and hot! YUM!
Organic Golden Monkey Black Tea from auraTeas
Tea Type: Black
Where To Buy: auraTeas
Product Description:
Organic Golden Monkey Black Tea
有機金毛猴
Price: CAD$3.50
10g Mini Bag
0.36oz
4-6 servings
Stock: 3Price: CAD$9.5040g canister
1.4oz
20-22 servings
Stock: 5Price: CAD$17.5075g Bag
2.68oz
37-42 servings
Stock: 6Price: CAD$18.00
75g canister
2.68oz
37-42 servings
Stock: 6TB0401
Organic Golden Monkey Black Tea
(Jin Mao Ho)
Organically grownOrigin: Wuyishan, Fujian, China 武夷山‧福建‧中國
Style: Fully oxidized, full bodied, light roasted, fruit aroma
Loose leaf style: Slender tightly curled
Loose leaf color: Brown and gold
Wet leaf style: Crimson
Tea color: Golden Crimson
Certification: USDA, BCS, JAS certified organicGolden Monkey is one of Wuyi Yen Cha (Wuyi Rock Tea, grown in spaces between mountain rocks) originated in Wuyi area of Fujian Province, China. It is one of the finest black tea from China. Golden Monkey tea is a mix of brown tea leaves and gold new buds, only hand processed in spring. Local legend says its name came from the monkeys help to harvest tea leaves grown in the crevices between rocks; modern interpretation is that the leaves look like monkey claws. Golden Monkey is full bodied with natural sweetness and fruity aroma, fully oxidized and light roasted. It is recommended to taste it without sugar and milk, you may open another door to black tea.
Brewing:
Golden Monkey Black Tea is in slender twisted shape, the volume is larger than other black tea. Thus we need about 1.5 tsp of loose tea for 120cc(4oz) 90℃-95℃(190F-203F) water. Steam about 1 min for the first brew to unroll the leaves, 30 seconds for the second brew, and dboule the timing for the following brews. Provides 3 or more infusions. The tea leaves need to be fully expanded in the container, remember not to put too much loose tea to avoid over packed and bitterness.
Once you get familiar with the tea, you may explore your tea by adjusting brewing time and loose tea amount.Teaware:
Gaiwan, bone China, porcelain teaware, or glassware
Tasters Review:
Every Time I think of Golden Monkey or Monkey Picked type teas I can’t help but think of those Monkey-Creatures in the Wizard of Oz Movie that swoop down…I mean REALLY…wouldn’t THAT be a sight to see!? THOSE Monkeys swooping down to earth to pick TEA!?
Anyhow…just had to share that with you…I guess it just goes to saw you how odd my thought patterns can be sometimes. On to the tea notes, eh!?
Organic Golden Monkey Black Tea from auraTeas is a lighter, less bold Golden Monkey but also very smooth and tasty. It’s semi chewy and very nice both hot and/or cold!
Have you ever had a strange association with a specific tea that only YOU would think of? Let us know in comments…
Formosa Nostalgia DongDing Oolong from auraTeas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: auraTeas
Product Description:
Origin: Lugu, Nantou,Taiwan 鹿谷‧南投‧台灣
Style: Medium fermented Oolong, full bodied, fruity aroma
Loose leaf style: Half ball Dongding oolong style
Loose leaf color: Brownish dark green
Wet leaf style: Dark green center with brown red edge
Tea color: Golden yellowFormosa Nostalgia Dongding is the modern version dedicated to grandpa’s Dongding Oolong. Strictly following traditional Dongding Oolong process, our Nostalgia Dongding is hand roasted, produces full bodied long lasting fruity aroma. This is the best choice if you are looking for retro style Dongding Oolong.
Taster’s Review:
This Oolong is a little different than I’m used to, but in this case, different is definitely a good thing!
There is a bit of spiciness to the sip that I do not usually associate with Oolong tea, as well as a bitter note. This bitter note is not an offensive or off-putting bitter taste, but a savory one that provides a nice contrast to the sweet qualities of the cup and compliments the overall flavor profile of the tea.
The mouthfeel is smooth and slick. A light astringency does not allow the mouthfeel to linger, leaving a very clean aftertaste.
The sweet, nutty quality of this tea is enhanced by the toasty essence of this hand roasted tea. There is also a fruity note that is peach-like in the background.
A pleasant, full-flavored Oolong that I’m very glad I had the opportunity to try!