Hello Tea Friends,
I got a sample pack of Dong Ding Oolong to try from my last order with Siam Tea and today is the day to try it. Think of it as a random cupboard sample that has been chosen for the potential of greatness.
Opening the packet reveals large brown leaf balls complete with stem that appear whole. They truly are an impressive size! Also though dark they have a nice glossy shine. On sniff-spection I can smell toasted wood with soft, dry smoke.
Steeping Parameters: 5g Leaf, 320ml vessel, 85C water temperature, 3 minute steep.
The resulting tea is golden in colour with a toasted malt scent.
The first few sips reveal a soft sweetness amidst a sour, toasted wood note that lightens to an almost malt finish in the after taste. There is also a slight dryness. The sweetness carries on half way down the cup with a floral quality and lightness. I close my eyes and imagine I’m drinking flowers that were wood roasted. The sourness remains consistent which leaves a mature, sour wood note to dance on my tongue.
This Oolong was very easy to drink and tasted pure, a very nice example of a lightly toasted Oolong. Even at the end of the cup I could taste each flavour individually with just as much character as the first sip. This would make a nice everyday Oolong.
Until next time,
Happy Steeping!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Siam Tea
Description:
DMS Dong Ding Blue Pearls Oolong Tea from Doi Mae Salong, north Thailand,rolled, handpicked. Strongly reminiscent of Chinese Wuyi rock Oolong teas, in particular Da Hong Pao Oolong tea.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here.
Pina Colada Green Tea Blend from Bruu Tea
Our Sister’s Thoughts:
Hello Steeping Friends!
Today I bring you a review from Bruu Tea, a UK based company that ships worldwide and offers an array of their own creative tea blends. Pina Colada Green was one of three tea’s chosen from my Tea Club box that arrived today and is my first taste of Bruu Tea. I find their style rather quirky, as well as receiving three teas (the others being Vietnam OP and Brazilian Blend) I also received a random flag (Somalia), a cocktail umbrella, a party blower and a chocolate coin; needless to say an Olympic theme was in mind with this months package. Either way it made for a nice change to have some personality in a club pack. Pina Colada was chosen as a random tea to review for SororiTea Sisters.
Ingredients: Green Tea, Coconut Chips, Pineapple Pieces and Sunflower Petals.
The packet itself is see through so I can see the blend with ease, as such I can pick out each of the ingredients listed. The green tea itself does have some stems/sticks and is roughly broken resulting in a quick steeping time.
Opening the packed I am hit with pineapple and coconut, more perfumed than soapy *thankfully* and a sweetness that lingers in my nostrils. Pina Colada heaven. (Starts singing “If you like Pina Colada’s, and getting caught in the rain”).
Steeping wise this had some handy instructions on the front for those unsure. It states 1tsp of leaf in 80C water for 2-3 minutes. I did 2 minutes as I indicated earlier that the green tea leaves were quite small and wouldn’t need long, I would hate for it to be bitter.
Once steeped a cloudyish yellow liquid is produced with a mild grass and pineapple scent.
Leaving it to cool slightly I take a sip, it’s subtle in overall flavour despite the strong scent but I can taste the green tea, the pineapple and the coconut. The green tea base is soft, slightly bitter yet buttery (like a Chinese Sencha though I cannot be sure which green tea it is) but behind that is a subtle yet slightly sweet and perfumed pineapple with an ever softer coconut cream in the after taste. I like that I can taste the green tea and it is not overpowered by the fruit.
Half a cup down and it’s slightly dry in the after taste with an increase on perfume; but it leaves such a delicate Pina Colada-esque flavour in my mouth it makes up for them. You can also notice a slight toasting of the green leaves part way down the cup which compliments the blend, making it non too sweet.
Overall I would say I am impressed. On the negative side I thought that it could have been a bit stronger but on the other side I sort of like that it wasn’t, if I have a nice green tea base I want to taste it. Perhaps I can try a double strength next steep and see what happens, or try the 3 minute marker. Either way I know I will be using the rest of this tea up pretty sharpish. Also it gave notes to try this tea iced and I think that just screamed winning idea.
Until next time,
Happy Steeping!
Here’s the scoop!
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green Tea Blend
Where to Buy: Bruu Tea
Description:
A Caribbean green bursting with the taste of summer.
Subtly sweet and almost smoky. Green tea drinkers must try and try again…and again. We go cocoNUTS for this beauty.
Learn even more about this tea this tea here
Zheng Wei Tie Guan Yin Oolong Tea From Teavivre
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Teavivre
Tea Description:
Our Zheng Wei Tie Guan Yin (TGY) was plucked in the day before “寒露 (cold dew)”- one of the traditional Chinese Twenty-four Solar Terms . The dry leaves of this tea appear less tender than spring green tea, while it has a richer and long-lasting flower flavor.
(Tips: The tea harvested during the period three days before and four days after寒露 (cold dew) day is called “正秋茶” (means autumn tea, this term differs from “早秋茶”，the early autumn tea).
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Thank you Angel for a sample of this tea.
I do like Tie Guan Yin and I’m looking forward to trying this one. The website says this was picked in Autumn, October 7th 2015 and offers in depth information into other factors of this particular tea such as garden location, caffeine levels and flavour notes. Well worth a read at the above link if you are truly interested in this tea, it’s always nice to see a website offer so much information on it’s tea.
In appearance the leaves are a mixture of dark green and yellow/green, of which most balls are fairly large in size and appear whole leaf. They bare a grassy and sweet, floral scent.
Steeping Parameters: 7g leaf, 220ml gongfu teapot vessel, boiling water.
First Steep – 1 minute
Tea colour is very light yellow and has a very floral scent.
The first few sips reveal a toasted grass and sweet floral medley that lingers on the tongue. Clean and pure tasting with a buttery elegance. After a few bowls there is a slight dryness in the after taste.
Second Steep – 2 minutes
An increase of sweet flowers but less grass than the first steep. Also I want to point out that the leaves are not fully open. Floral wise it reminds me of gladiola mixed with toasted sweet grass.
A few bowls of this steep show the dryness is still present though still very minimal.
Third Steep – 3 minutes
Another consistent steep but with an increase of depth, more like toasted flowers than fresh flowers at this point. But still very flavourful and light/pure. The dryness has not increased at this steep.
Conclusion: This was a lot more floral than I expected but in a very pleasant way. It’s not too strong but you would have to like floral tea to like this one, you could just appreciate the Oolong side with it if you’re not a huge floral fan. It remained consistent in flavour and rather refreshing which made it easy to drink. Quality overall was good, even in the leaves after use which were without discolouration or holes. I could have taken this tea another steep or two further but I have limited time tonight, but it should save overnight for a lovely morning steep.
This tea exceeded my expectations and was a very nice example of an Autumn Tie Guan Yin. Considering it was last years crop it’s been stored very well and tastes fresh. I imagine this would be lovely on a hot summers day.
Happy Steeping Everyone!
Moonlight Beauty Raw Pu-erh Loose Tea From Teavivre
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Raw Pu-Erh Loose Leaf
Where to Buy: Teavivre
Tea Description:
The moonlight beauty tea is developed by the local Yunnan tea makers based on the continuous summarization and deepened understanding of the new trend of pu-erh flavor. It is a new breed of pu-erh tea. Made of the tender buds of large-leaf tea and processed with the method similar to that of Fuding White Tea. Moonlight beauty tea has a rich bouquet and clear yellow soup broth. As for as taste is concerned, this tea has a smooth, pliable, sweet and fresh mouthfeel without any bitter note.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Thank you Angel from Teavivre for sending me this sample to try.
I love the name of this tea, Moonlight Beauty sounds so pure and happy. The website says that though this tea is a raw Pu-Erh it is also similar to a white tea due to the processing of the leaves. You can see the similarity when you inspect the leaves.
In appearance the leaves are long and fairly thin with lots of downy hairs. They are a very pale green, almost white colour and they bare a soft, fresh scent of grass and pepper. Enough to smell like a Pu-Erh but living up to it’s subtle nature. The leaves are also crisp to the touch and could easily be broken into small pieces with fingers.
I will be using 5g of leaf in a 220ml teapot with boiling water.
First Steep – 1 minute
After the first steep the leaves now smell malty and wooden, a real contrast to their dry form. The tea also shares hints of wood and malt, with pepper and sweet pine. The liquid is very light yellow.
In flavour this is more subtle than it smells. The first thing I notice is the smoothness of a fresh pine and sweet peony notes. The after taste is dry and slightly nutty. It actually reminds me of a Bai Mu Dan white tea in flavour.
Second Steep – 2 minutes
More peony and slightly sweeter than the previous steep, though just as mild. More drying in the after taste too. It tastes like spring rain drops that have landed onto flower petals, that imagery is in my mind every time I sip.
Third Steep – 3 minutes
Slightly sour during this steep but with a creamy finish and just as much peony. It has to be said that the dryness is somewhat spoiling it’s subtle elegance.
Overall – I am not a fan of white tea usually and that is exactly what this tea reminds me of. It’s not very Pu-Erh like except for the peppery, wood notes in the leaves once you start to infuse it. That being said it was still a pleasant and non offensive tea. I don’t think I could drink it all the time though, it’s just too mild for my personal taste. I imagine it’s great to keep hydrated with on hot summer days though. I also imagine that the mild nature of this tea would make it rather forgiving should you over steep it. Essentially it remained very similar throughout all three steeps.
Thank you again Angel for the opportunity to try this tea.
Until next time, Happy Steeping Everyone!
Organic Okayti Wonder – Second Flush From Vahdam Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black Darjeeling Tea
Where to Buy: Vahdam Teas
Tea Description:
A certified organic fresh summer black from Okayti. The well manufactured leaves offer a delightful appearance with golden tips sprinkled all over. The tea is elegantly rich and bodied supported by aromas of fruits and berries. Discover zesty notes of chocolate with hints of muscat grapes in every sip. The aftertaste lingers on to a sweet floral finish.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I will start by explaining that Vahdam Teas is a new name for an older company, formally known as Golden Tips Teas. This tea was a free sample from my previous order with them; of which I am thankful to try.
Darjeeling to me is perfect for the summer months and today has been a little dull but warm and dry non the less, ideal to review this sample. This tea is certified organic and is graded as: SFTGFOP1 which stands for (Super Fine Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe 1). The packaging label also shows the ‘Date of Picking’ which is a bonus and very nice to see. My sample was picked 15th May 2015, so it’s just over a year old. This crop is still available for sale on their website.
As I open the packet and spread a selection of the leaves in my palm I can note: small/medium dark brown leaves, thinly rolled with some curl and a few golden tips scattered about. They have a dry and sour scent with elements of musk and wood.
Steeping Parameters: 3-4g of leaf into a 320ml vessel with boiling water for 3 minutes.
The result is an amber coloured tea liquid that bares the same muscatel, wooden scent as it’s raw form.
Flavour is slightly sour with mild leather and malt flavours with dryness in the after taste. There is also some sweetness which cuts through the sourness a little. The musk is also present but it smells stronger than it tastes. As it cools the sourness tones down slightly but the malt and dry leaf flavour remains dominant and fills my mouth. The dryness increases but remains at a manageable level.
After the steep the used tea leaves are mostly whole and now fully opened, baring a brown colour with a red hue. They have no discolouration or holes/marks and I can see no stems other than those that have broken off from the leaves.
There are a few reasons that I tend to prefer 2nd flush Darjeeling and the main reason is the muscatel flavour/scent. It is unique to Darjeeling and that makes it special, and also a favourite of mine. This is a nice example of a 2nd flush Darjeeling, though the musk is not as strong with this one as it can be. Still, overall it tasted and smelled wonderful which is all I can ask for. And it’s aided me on this warm day beautifully.
Until next time, Happy Steeping!