Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Pu-erh
Where to Buy: Tao of Tea
Product Description:
The Tuocha refers to a family of bowl shaped teas, commonly available as Green tea Tuocha, Black tea Tuocha and Puer (aged) Tuocha. More recently, Tuochas have also become commonly available by compressing the tea leaves and flowers together, or by heat infusing them together. In making the Rose Tuocha, more mature leaves of the tea plant are selected in summer, sun-dried, steamed, oxidized to turn dark, then compressed along with rose petals into small bowls. Wrapped with paper, the Rose Tuocha are an ideal size (3 grams) for individual serving.
Flavor Profile: Sweet, smooth, very mild rose flavor with little astringency.
Taster’s Review:
This is certainly different … not at all what I expect when I taste a Pu-erh. Pu-erh tends to be quite a strong, assertive flavor, but with this Pu-erh, you need to throw everything you know about Pu-erh out the window, because it’s so unusual … but in the very best way possible.
When I steep Pu-erh Tuocha like this, I steep them in my gaiwan, using short steeps and multiple infusions. My first cup was the combination of the first two infusions (following a quick 10 second rinse). This cup is really quite light in flavor. A little woodsy with a mellow rose note that is pleasantly sweet. No sharpness, no strong earthy flavors. Smooth and only the faintest hint of astringency at the tail.
My second cup (the combination of the third and fourth infusions), brewed up darker and much bolder than the first cup. The color here is much more like what I’d expect from a Pu-erh, whereas the first cup was more like a black tea. The flavor is more assertive compared to the first, but, still, it is not that typical earthy flavor of Pu-erh. There are some earthy hints that seem to have paired up with the woodsy flavor that I mentioned with the first cup – creating more of a “damp wood” flavor than an earthy note. The floral notes are stronger here too. What this cup actually tastes like to me? Coffee … but without the bitterness and astringency. This tastes rather like a smooth cup of rich coffee.
My third and final cup (the combination of the fifth and sixth infusions) was slightly (only very slightly) lighter in color than the second cup, but the flavor has become much smoother than either the first or the second cup. The floral tone has emerged nicely, and I am still getting that coffee-like flavor that I had mentioned. Of the three cups, this one is definitely my favorite as it has become so unbelievably smooth.
This is an excellent Pu-erh. It would make a good starter Pu-erh for those who are new to the tea. And for those of you who really love rose teas, you should give this one a try … while the rose flavor here is a bit more mellow than a typical rose Congou, I like that this Rose Tuocha shows me a whole new set of flavors to the rose that I would have never experienced from other teas.
Rainforest Alliance Certified – Strong Black Tea from The Tao of Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: The Tao of Tea
Product Description:
Uplifting brew with earthy aroma and hints of black cherries and warm cane sugar.
You can learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I’m loving this tea.
But, I must be honest, I was a little disappointed by it at first. And I think that disappointed is too strong a word for how I felt. I think I was mislead by the name of the tea “Strong Black Tea” to me indicates that I’m about to taste something incredibly bold, with a hefty taste and texture. Something to give you that sharp kick in the buns that is needed on those mornings that you don’t want to get going. I don’t think that this tea would accomplish that, because it isn’t as strong (at least, not to me) as the name would suggest.
But that is not to say that this tea isn’t exquisite, because it IS! It is a truly delicious tea that merely suffers from a misnomer, which after perusing The Tao of Tea’s website, I notice there is also a “Light” Black Tea from the Rainforest Alliance collection, so perhaps the strong is in comparison to the light, and not so much strong compared to other black teas outside of the Rainforest Alliance collection.
But that’s enough about that. Let me get to telling you about what makes this tea so delicious. With the first couple of sips, I noticed a similarity to an Oolong tea. It has that soft mouthfeel that I might experience from an Oolong, as well as a hint of vegetative flavor that hits the palate right about mid-sip. There is also a chocolate flavor – like bitter chocolate – that hits the palate at almost the same time, and these two notes provide a very savory tone that is quite appealing, and I think essential to the palate at about this moment in the sip, because the overall flavor of this tea is quite reminiscent of raw sugar cane. Sweet with an undertone of molasses. Let me put it this way: my sweet tooth right now is very happy!
The description suggests these notes of “warm cane sugar” (if you’re one who automatically sweetens a tea before trying it I suggest not doing that with this tea – taste it first, I found that this is pleasantly sweet without any sweetener) and also it suggests notes of black cherry. And I am getting those fruit tones as well, but it isn’t a syrupy kind of cherry flavor, this is more like a hint of fruit off somewhere in the distance. As I attempted to describe it on Steepster: “it is more of a insinuation of cherry that doesn’t quite become fully recognized.” It is there, but, then again, is it?
While I’m loving the smooth sweetness of this tea, I’m also noticing a rustic edge to it too. There is some astringency, it is fairly mild and slightly dry. And while this tea isn’t the strong, hearty tea that I was expecting, I am glad that I was mislead … or shall I say, pleasantly surprised? … by this one because I’m liking it just the way it is.
Stong Fire Oolong from The Tao of Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: The Tao of Tea
Product Description:
Native Name: Dark Tieguanyin
Named after the Chinese Goddess of Mercy Kuan Yin, Tieguanyin is one of the more popular rolled oolongs. Although Tieguanyin varietals are native and to Anxi county in Fujian province, many other areas in China are now also cultivating this varietal. There are apparent differences between the various Tieguanyin varietals, each with its own unique characteristics.
In making Strong Fire only the mature, hardy leaves are plucked. They are then withered in the sun for a few hours to reduce moisture. Once suitable suppleness is achieved in the leaves, traditional rolling techniques (at least 13 different motions) are applied in conjunction with light roasting to achieve the optimum shape and flavor. A final high roast is given to complete the processing.
Taster’s Review:
This one scared me a bit. The name “Strong Fire” suggests to me that this might be a very smoky tea. And while it does have well-pronounced smoked tones to it, it certainly is not at all what I expected. The smoky flavor is so perfectly balanced with a roasty-toasty flavor that it doesn’t come off as liquid smoke. It’s actually quite pleasant.
The roasting of these leaves imparts a certain wood-like taste to the cup, as well as the aforementioned roasted flavor and smoky undertones. These bring out the natural sweetness of the Oolong tea, converting what might otherwise be a fruity or floral sweetness to a well-caramelized sweetness. The high roasting imparts a savory, almost burnt flavor to the leaves, enhancing the burnt sugar quality of the caramel flavor.
I like this so much more than I thought I would, and I am finding that each subsequent infusion (I got six incredible infusions from one measurement of leaves) is equally as lovely. I guess it just goes to show you not to judge a tea by its name!
Cooling Mint Tulsi from The Tao of Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Tulsi
Where to Buy: The Tao of Tea
Product Description:
An organic blend of green leaf (Rama) Tulsi and spearmint.
Known as Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum), Tulsi is a sacred plant from India used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Tulsi is considered an ‘elixir of life’ providing alchemy to one’s well being.
Taster’s Review:
While brewing, this tea filled the kitchen with a savory, herbaceous aroma. I’ve brewed a few different tulsi blends, and I don’t recall ever experiencing as strong a fragrance as I did with this tea. From the scent, I thought I was in for a very herb-y tasting tisane and I worried it might taste medicinal. But it doesn’t.
The flavor is very cool and minty, but not in a mouthwash kind of way. There is also a sharp and slightly peppery kind of taste to the tulsi that I don’t think I’ve ever detected in a tulsi blend before. The contrast of these characteristics makes for a very interesting and exciting flavor. The cup is light and refreshing with a crisp mint taste. It’s quite tasty.
I have kind of been on the fence when it comes to tulsi, but for no other reason than because it’s an herb and my automated response to herbals tends to be that of alarm and distrust. Well, I think it is time for me to embrace the tulsi, because I have yet to find a tulsi blend that I dislike!
Wuyi Oolong from The Tao of Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: The Tao of Tea
Product Description:
Grown at a 100% Organic tea garden within Wuyishan, a scenic area stretching along Fujian’s northernmost border with Jiangxi Province. It comprises 36 graceful rock peaks and a twisting, curving river called Nine Bend Creek.
Taster’s Review:
As many of you probably are aware, I’m quite fond of Oolong tea. Well, I guess I should qualify that by saying I am fond of most Oolong teas. Occasionally, I’ll come across one that I’m not crazy about, but for the most part, I typically adore Oolong.
Wuyi Oolong has taken me a bit longer to embrace than say, a greener Oolong. The strong, smoked quality of the Wuyi was, at first, somewhat off-putting to me. I have since come around and discovered the many wonderful nuances within a Wuyi, and have learned to appreciate Wuyi Oolong.
This is an excellent Wuyi. Smoky – yes. But there is so much more to it than just “smoky” and that is what I love about it. There is a beautiful caramelized undertone that is sweet with a hint of sour. The nutty flavors of this tea are enhanced by the smoky overtones, giving it a sort of fresh-roasted nut flavor. There is a hint of fruit flavor to this – plum perhaps? While there is such a lovely contrast of flavors, the transition between the flavors is remarkably smooth. There is no bitterness to the cup, and only a slight astringency at the tail.
This is a delicious Oolong. It has a very cozy feel to it – like a warm blanket in autumn, and because of that autumnal feel I prefer this one served hot. While it is delicious iced, some of the more subtle nuances are lost with the chilling process, so to enjoy this one at its fullest, I recommend drinking it while its hot.