An afternoon of meetings calls for a sweet, ripe pu’erh, or at least, that’s how I feel about it.
I grabbed this tea for the first time, and it delivered. I got something rich. Something heavy. Something that could help me beat up the opposition.
This isn’t a fishy or old-tasting or spicy pu’erh. It’s a beautiful older woman. It’s basically a bunch of flowers, wisened with age, kind of tough. Like Olenna Tyrell.
This tea is called “forest song” because — as I discovered on Global Tea Hut’s blog — trees respond to sound. It turns out that plants grow best when they’re exposed to the same sort of pitches as birdsong. Birds are the sign of a healthy forest. So when trees hear those pitches, they grow better.
As nature gets trashed by global warming, deforestation, extinction, etc, the songs of the forest are going to change. And tea production is going to change.
That’s right, guys: our planet’s tea is at risk.
Call Captain Planet.
We’ve gotta fix this.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Pu-erh
Where to Buy: Global Tea Hut
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Karakundah Black/Simple Loose Leaf
Some mornings are no-nonsense; this Monday is one of them. No time for blends. Time for serious faces, email, and caffeine.
This black tea, which I received this month in my Simple Loose Leaf box, is a yummer. (Nope, “yummer” is not a word — or is it NOW a word? Language evolves, guys. Start using “yummer.” Let’s see if we can get it to catch on).
I knew immediately that this tea was from India because of its slightly spicy and raisin-y tones. The name “Karakundah” also helped — the name didn’t ring as Asian. Turns out that this estate is the highest commercial tea estate in the world.
Make sure to share that fact at your next party. You’ll be swarmed with friends in no time.
This black tea’s powerful rich and malty flavor from a single teaspoon made it clear to me from the get-go that it was a high quality pick. And, lo and behold, it turns out that it’s an “orange pekoe,” which is the highest quality of leaf on the grading scale. (The lowest quality is “fannings and dust,” which I’ve heard is what they throw into commercially-available pre-bagged cheap tea.)
Overall, this pick has gusted me into Awake Land in a quality, unfettered way. It met and, I daresay, exceeded my expectations. Nice work, you high-elevation pals. I tip my cap to you.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Simple Loose Leaf
Description
Karakundah tea estates, found in the Nilgiri region of India, produce some of the highest grade black teas in that region. Commonly known for the medium-bodied cup of tea, Karakundah black teas are highly sought after on the world stage making this tea a prize for international buyers. Serve with or without milk and add sugar to taste.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Jin Xuan GABA Tea from Eco-Cha. . . .
I have always wanted to try Eco-Cha’s oolongs and I was ecstatic when a box of delightful oolongs arrived for the SororiTea Sisters to check out. With the snow falling and the crisp air, today felt like the perfect day to try Jin Xuan GABA tea.
So I brewed up a pot, broke out a few snacks, and gave myself a few moments to really indulge in this brew. And indulge I did.
Each sip I am greeted with pops of fruit with a slight bready finish. Fresh crisp smooth and delightful. I can’t get over how fantastic this oolong is and how much I’ve missed oolongs to be honest. I’ve been in a green tea craze and this tea is telling me its time to shake up my tea routine. Pot after pot of this tea and I was on cloud nine. Not only does this oolong taste fabulous with such a smooth flavor profile that is insanely satisfying, this tea is one of those soul soothing teas that you can literally just soak in and it helps wipe the day away.
So in not so many words, I loved this offering so much, I’ve asked for a subscription for Christmas! I need more Eco-Cha in my life!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Eco-Cha
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Congou Mao Jia by Bruu Tea
Hello Tea Friends!
This tea comes from the February Tea Club box and though it’s not currently available on their website it may be available soon.
The tell-tale signs of silver tips in this tea signifies selective harvesting that has been plucked every day to ensure only new shoots are gathered. rown in the mountainous region of the WuYi mountains China, the tea is allowed to ferment briefly which results in a slightly dark hue on the leaves. A smooth tasting tea, though surprisingly pungent, it would be a good first green tea to try if you traditionally drink black tea. Origin: Zheijiang Province, China. Grown 5000ft above sea level.
Opening the packet I am met with a dry, sweet grass and wood scent. The leaves are long and thin for the most part, with some silver tips present and a few sticks/stems. For a green tea the leaves are surprisingly dark.
Steeping Instructions: 1tsp – 80C – 2-3 minutes
Once steeped the tea is yellow in colour and bares a sweet and floral, grassy scent. Very green and mineral.
The first few sips reveal a medium strength and fragrant melody of sweet grass, flowers and fresh broccoli. In fact the vegetal factor is part fresh, young cabbage and broccoli. There is some dryness in the after taste too. Some bitterness but in a nice way.
As it cools the flavour thickens and develops thick mouth feel and richness.
Super fragrant and flavourful, this is a delicious green tea. Perhaps too dry for my personal taste but this would make a delicious iced tea.
Happy Steeping!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Bruu Tea (This tea is not currently for sale)
Description:
A smooth tasting green from the WuYi mountains of China, hand picked and fermented to give the leaves a darker hue.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Holiday Gift Idea Alert! November’s Tea Box Express
If you have that person on your list that you want that special unique item for and they just happen to be a tea drinker (of any kind!), I highly recommend thinking about sending them a gift from Tea Box Express.
Tea Box Express offers amazing curated boxes that feature teas, tea accessories, tea trinkets and different snacks to go along with the tea. Basically, each month you receive an instant tea party. I just love this box. Yes, it is a bit pricey when you first look at it, but the value of what you are getting is typically double if not more each month. This month alone, the box featured a tea accessory that I’ve had my eye on for some time and that tea accessory typically sells for $18 without shipping or taxes. This box is definitely a wonderful value and one that is quite memorable to boot!
November’s box had so many amazing treats! A gorgeous leaf shaped shortbread cookie, a Tea Bling, two different kinds of tea from Nunshen, a chocolate treat, and these awesome flavored agave pouches-pumpkin flavored and caramel from Pura. I was quite pleased and couldn’t wait to dig in.
Let’s start with the My Tea Bling. This is the accessory that I’ve had my eye on for some time. My Tea Bling is a clip that you use when you are drinking any kind of bagged tea to give your tea a bit of pizzazz-there is a lovely disc full of sparkles at the end of the clip. I use this all the time when I’m at work and am so happy to have one. I’ve received a lot of compliments on my this sparkling accessory. I just use those tea filters you can pick up pretty much anywhere, make my own tea bags, ad attach this as a nice weight to keep everything where it needs to be. (Mug Cozy featured below is from Nandy’s Nook)
An oolong and chai tea were the offerings for the tea part of the box. They came from Nunshen, a company I hadn’t heard of before but one I’m now actively checking out. The tea was a bagged tea (which worked perfectly with my new Tea Bling) and we were sent a few oolong tea bags and chai. I wasn’t crazy originally with the idea of a bagged chai tea but after having the tea, I’m addicted.
The chai bagged tea packs all of those lovely chai flavors without the spices being overwhelming to the point where you have to add milk or sugar. The tea was pleasantly balanced and was a great tea for the afternoon when I needed that pick me up to keep going.
The oolong offered was also quite delicious and one that I found myself searching my bag for to see if I had anymore. Smooth and subtle with those familiar oolong roasted tones. . .another great afternoon treat. I think I favored this tea more than the chai but that’s just because I’m partial to oolong. Plus this oolong tasted delicious with both the cookie and the chocolate candy treat.
Flavored agave (from Pura.mx) is something I never had really thought about checking out but after enjoying the caramel and pumpkin flavored pouches included. . .I need to have a constant supply of this on hand. Both the Pumpking and Caramel were amazing in tea lattes and added that special kick that typically you can only get in coffee houses.
So many wonderful treats, trinkets, and goodies all packed into this box. Any tea drinker or enthusiast would love this box. Really great gift idea for anybody on your list. My family loves enjoying all of the treats together and we always have a family tea party with the box. (Pics of the cookie and chocolate treat-don’t they just look delicious!)
I really can’t wait to see what we receive in the next box!
Here’s the scoop!
Where to Buy: Tea Box Express
Description
Tea Box Express is a monthly box for tea lovers. Every month features a new whole leaf tea and unique accessories.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
