Big Red Robe. This tea is as unique as its name.
While some are closer to being a queen dragon with more floral notes this one deserves the title of King Dragon with hints of smoke and earthy notes like oak, cedar, and damp soil.
There is a surprising amount of mineral notes, especially in the aftertaste. Though it may be weird to say one tastes wet rocks, it really does have that flavor.
Perhaps with a bit of granite mixed in. The astringency is also unique. It doesn’t quite make you pucker your lips as some black teas do, however, it leaves a familiar texture in your mouth as often astringent teas do.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Wendigo Tea
Description
All arise for I am King Dragon, an ancient and illustrious oolong tea. I smell of exquisite honey, leather, orchids, and wet stone. My taste is of ripe peaches, earth, and smoke with a smooth lingering sweetness.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Dong Ding / Eco-Cha
Is it possible that tea tastes differently for each person?
Dong Ding is a roasted leaf and said to have hickory, roasted notes. I’m on my third steeping and I’m still not finding much in the way of roasted notes.
Oh wait! I tasted some roasted notes just now!
Much longer steeping was needed in order to acquire the flavor. This is a fly by the seat of your pants steeping as the site doesn’t provide any steeping notes, nor does the bag.
However, I feel that this is the best way to drink oolong. Tasting at various times in order to fully cherish all of the flavors. The roasted notes are faint but delightful. Remind me somewhat of a hojicha.
In each sip there is a sweetness that follows into the after taste. This sweetness can also be found in the aroma. The liquid is a clear, pale yellow that looks as silky as it’s mouth feel.
Besides the roasted notes we also find slight nutty notes mixed in with floral flavors. I wouldn’t say it blows my socks off but it’s a very enjoyable brew.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Eco-Cha
Description :
Rich, hickory smoke, sweet aroma. Robust, tangy, complex roasted character. Lingering heady aftertaste.
Garden: This batch of tea comes from Yonglong Village, just above Dong Ding Mountain. Yonglong is known for its rich soil which differs from other locales in Lu Gu Township. The unique flavor of the Dong Ding Oolong produced here is attributed to this soil quality, along with the fact this region is home to the most concentrated population of skilled oolong tea artisans in Taiwan. This farm is managed by a father and son team who inherited their family tradition as artisans of Dong Ding Oolong. Their tea has been awarded first prize in the world’s largest Oolong tea competition, and they consistently achieve top awards in their local competition of traditionally made Dong Ding Oolong.
Harvest: Hand picked in small batches. Winter 2018. Yonglong, Nantou.
Elevation: 700m
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Organic Nonpareil Ming Qian Dragon Well Long Jing Green Tea/Teavivre
I have said it before and I will say it again, I don’t love green teas. I especially don’t love non-flavored green teas. However, if someone is kind enough to send me something to try, I will always give it a chance even if I would not have picked it for myself. Such is the case with this Organic Nonpareil Ming Qian Dragon Well Long Jing Green Tea sent to me by the very generous Angel at Teavivre.
I brewed this tea for 1 minute in 185F water, per the company’s recommendations.
As far as green teas go, this a nice very nice one. No bitterness and no vegetal flavor. In fact, the flavor is almost closer to a silver needle white tea than a typical green tea. It’s a slight bit floral and a lot beany, as in it has a bean flavor to it. Beans and corn. Fresh and bright. I actually liked this one a lot more than I thought I would and as a testament to that, the mug was emptied before I even fully worked out my review.
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Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Teavivre
Description
Tender, refreshing, no bitterness even over steeped
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Sandakphu Hand Rolled Black Tea/Nepali Tea Traders. . . .
Sandakphu Hand Rolled Black Tea from Nepali Tea Traders was in my stash for special occasions and recently I hit the bottom of the bag so I figured it was time to say FAREWELL and give it a proper review before it’s just a tea memory.
I looked for this tea on their website and it is no longer in stock. Back in 2014 LiberTEAs did a review of it here at The SororiTea Sisters. I remember her describing in great length of the apricot notes that shined in this. I completely agree with her that the apricot flavors truly made this a naturally flavorful and delightful cuppa.
Nepali Tea Traders said this tea was an Orthodox black tea, only two leaves and a bud are hand plucked for processing. This full-leaf, loose tea is then oxidized carefully until a fine balance of flavors is achieved. This exquisite tea has a smooth floral bouquet with a lingering apricot finish. Perhaps this is why I enjoyed this tea so much…I have always been a sucker for apricots!
I always associated them with my childhood because as a toddler one of my favorite foods was dried apricots…yes…I know…I was an ‘odd’ kid.
I did feel that the black tea was comparable to a darjeeling. It seemed to have some flavor similarities. I sure hope that Nepali Tea Traders brings this one back because it’s a REAL WINNER!!!!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Nepali Tea Traders
Description
Click below for all of Nepali Tea Traders Black Tea Offerings!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Nilgiri / Tea Queens . . . .
There are three main tea growing areas; Assam, Darjeeling, and the lesser known Nilgiri. These teas come from the Southern portion of India. This is the first time I’ve tried a plain black from the region and I’m amazed at how different all three are. While Assam tends to be known for their stronger bodied teas with a punch in the face, and Darjeeling known for their muscatel and delicate flavors, Nilgiri on the other hand is somewhat a mix of both. Woodsy flavors mix with very subtle fruity notes to form a light bodied brew. It’s smooth without any astringency. This is the type of tea that is best consumed on it’s own. Food in general is not a good pairing because the flavors are so light and delicate.
Just as a side note I wanted to mentioned how impressed I am with the company that produces this tea. Burnside estates located in Kotagiri Taluk in the “Blue Mountains” of the Nilgiris in South India. They are a sustainable company focused not only on good tea but also on making sure their employees are properly cared for and the eco-friendliness of this company is superb. If you have time please go to their website and give them a look!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Tea Queens
Description:
A smooth, gentle and mellow black tea from the Burnside Estate in Southern India. This classic and elegant tea is rich with a slightly woody and fruity flavor.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!