Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: Peony Tea S.
Tea Description:
The White Peony from Fuding is one of the most popular authentic White Tea around with its sweet aftertaste and refreshing taste. Affordably priced, there is no better time to try this remarkable tea.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Up until a couple of years ago, I would have considered myself to be quite a novice when it comes to white teas, having only tried one or two up until that point. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to try quite a few white teas, but still, I am learning more about it each time I try a new-to-me white tea.
It wasn’t until very recently (within the last year or so?) that I started to notice a distinct difference between Bai Mu Dan teas. Many (if not most) tea companies out there carry a Bai Mu Dan, but even though they have the same name, not all Bai Mu Dan teas are “equal.” And one thing that I’ve learned is that the dry leaf of a Bai Mu Dan will tell you a good deal about the quality of the tea.
For example, the tea leaves here are large and whole. There are varying shades of color to the leaves, starting from a very pale grey-white color, to a pale silvery-green, to a light tan. The leaves feel soft to the touch and are covered in tiny, white hairs (sort of like a fuzzy down). These different qualities tell me a few things: these leaves have been handled with a great deal of care and they are of high quality.
The color of the liquor is a gorgeous color – it’s almost alabaster. Even with as many white teas that I’ve consumed over the past few years, I think only a handful of them (at most) had such a pale color liquor. But that doesn’t mean that it lacks flavor.
The flavor here is delicate, but, it is so lovely. It tastes sweet and clean, reminding me a bit of hay and fresh sweet grass. It has a very smooth texture to it, almost like silk, and the finish is dry with a dry, sweet aftertaste that reminds me of the winter air. That cool, crisp “taste” of the mountain air in the winter … that is the taste that notice in the aftertaste.
It is an extraordinarily soothing tea: calm and serene. Even though I know there is caffeine in this, the delicate, luxurious quality to this tea inspires a sense of relaxation from within.
An excellent White Peony, this!
Yunnan Black (Dian Hong) from Peony Tea S.
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Peony Tea S.
Tea Description:
Yunnan Black or Dian Hong is one of the most beloved of China’s black teas. It’s rich aroma, full flavor and natural citrusy taste makes it an excellent choice of lovers of black tea. It’s elegant reddish brown liquor adds a nice touch of elegance to this classy tea.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This is a delightful Dian Hong.
The aroma of the dry leaf is remarkable. These tan and gold leaves smell sweet, reminiscent of that sweetness you might notice if smelling dates or dried fruit. That fragrance is also noted in the brewed tea, although it is a bit softer in the brewed tea than it is in the dry leaf.
The sweet, date-like essence translates to the flavor as well… I get the taste of the date here, and even a hint of citrus comes through. The citrus seems particularly noticeable in the aftertaste.
This tastes rugged and earthy … very masculine in character. There are notes of leather, and even hints of cocoa in the background. It has a very smooth flavor and texture, very rich, as if to envelop me in velvet-y smoothness.
This is my first experience with this tea company from Singapore, but, I have a couple other teas to try from them. If they are even half as good as this Yunnan, I’m in for a real treat!