81 Tasting Notes

74
I have not gotten allot of Golden Monkey teas apart from that from Teavivre (a mighty fine sample thank you very much!), so I got a sample from Adagio and there is quite a difference in the amount of assertion and boldness. Comparing to Teavivre, Adagio’s Golden Moneky is a bit similar to the much of their Yunnan tea they are selling, it has less of the sweet, almost lighter component of honey-fruit like flavor (faint berry-like). what it has a Cocao and mellow earthy flavor much like Yunnan teas, it lacks bitterness, smooth, and welcoming. A good tea but not on par with Teavivre take on Golden Monkey. Its quite affordable for Golden Monkey and quite a recommendable staple from Adagio.
Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 4 min, 0 sec

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74

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75
drank Yunnan Jig by Adagio Teas
81 tasting notes
Anyone one can just taste the earth, time, and the many flavors of life with this wonderful and generous tea! I say its generous since it offers quite allot for a tea of its renown at a low price, wonderful for its mellow, medium bodied, richness and textures that come to symbolize time itself! A complex cacophony of soil, peppery notes, a bit of leather, a definite chocolaty aroma that seemingly crying out loud for attention. Its a must to those just getting into Yunnan teas and definitely something to admire Yunnan for!
Preparation
185 °F / 85 °C 3 min, 30 sec

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72
drank Gunpowder by Adagio Teas
81 tasting notes
It is gunpowder indeed! The very moment the bag is opened you get a waft of an earthy smokiness that permeates these coiled pellets of awesome! The smokiness of the tea still lingers right after brewing that goes well with its nutty, straw flavored, and mellow goodness. Its quite well taken to mint, which brews the ever refreshing and crisp Moroccan Tea that quenches the thirst out of anyone in Summer . Tannin free, non astringent, non bitter, and quite a green that has many versatile uses and enjoyment guaranteed..what’s not to like?!
Preparation
175 °F / 79 °C 2 min, 15 sec

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89
drank Gyokuro by Adagio Teas
81 tasting notes

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89
drank Gyokuro by Adagio Teas
81 tasting notes
I had another pleasure of trying Gyokuro this time around since my last impression was from an “up-selling establishment”. My first impression was almost always the intense vegetal and spinach aroma along with a deep jaded color. Adagio’s take of Gyokuro is highly authentic grown by respected hands…yet a shadow of its essence. I don’t know exactly, maybe someone out here would explain but my idea is probably the age of the batch is a bit old for a sample, possible a bad batch, or yet the dreaded draw down of intense flavors for customer appeal (something I hate to see in this tea that’s know for its rich taste). Either way, this tea is light in comparison…even T’s gyokuro could rival in its umami salty-like, savory aspect, its tastes much more like grass, a faint familiar vegetal aroma and flavor. The liqour has a light green color beyond two minutes, though at first I gave it a go at forty-five seconds but it was all too light that its liquor could have been mistaken for White Tea. Negatives aside, its an enjoyable tea with a balance not seen with gyokuro, smooth taste without tannins,without` bitterness after brew after brew. As much as I praise Adagio and the tea grower for this gyokuro, every sip I take always so often it seem generic yet I may be wrong.

Update: I kinda regret what I just mentioned above, It appears it does have an umami flavor close to sushi and seaweed. I dont know what went wrong with brewing this tea before but I certainly enjoy more often then I should of…I ran out of this stuff:( oh well…

Preparation
170 °F / 76 °C 2 min, 15 sec
Jillian

If you’re looking for a high-quality gyokuro I’d recommend a place that specializes in Japanese teas like Den’s Tea. They’re more expensive generally but the quality is worth the extra money.

Kasumi no Chajin

mellow monk, http://www.o-cha.com/ and Yuuki-Cha would be worth looking into as well.

Anthony Bazic

Thanks jillian for that, i checked Den’s tea there quite a good selection and definately expensive. @Kasumi: Thanks for the reference yet I can’t find the amount there selling only the prices are shown.

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90

The last but not least from the samples given, its best described in my opinion as the cu de gra of tea itself! Comfort. The richness of natural oolong flavors just coincides with an addition of a milky flavor that’s naturally harmonious altogether, and gives the said drinker a little more comfort (think of hot milk in cold day). The milky flavor is not at all too overwhelming but as to complement a slight vegetal and nutty flavor of the oolong itself. High quality in taste, even the raw leaves are still attached to its stems! Decent and rewarding, recommended to all! Drink on Steepsterites!

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec

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94

Another day and another review of samples from Teavivre! This time around its Organic superfine Keemun that found its way in my cuppa this morning to much of my delight! The tea has much of the usual Keemun qualities of a slightly smoky plum flavor but with characteristics of Assam in the starchy department. The brew itself at near boiling water yielded a smooth liquor, non astringent without much bitterness on the palate. An excellent quality tea made with buds, great taste and makes a fine cuppa! Drink on Steepsterites!

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 30 sec
TeaVivre

This tea is really very nice, it tastes smooth, also combined with unique Keemun fragrance^^

Anthony Bazic

I can give a toast to that! Its really different from most Keemun while other Keemun teas in the market tend to be overly dominant in flavors that can be too overwhelming. The best part is its really not too astringent with great flavor.

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85

Poor Suchong indeed:( Many by now has been out off by the assertive smokiness , what ever happen to the enjoyment of single malts= scotch whiskey and smoked goods? Has anyone ever tasted deeply smoked meats…why not this tea? However, tastes are gradual acquired and those that do brave in drinking a cuppa of this fine tea will be rewarded!(to the content of Mrs. Hua. Its camp fire tea with much of the smokiness of fire and piney body that does not go bitter or too astringent. Its not all that smoky either! Its very well balanced enough for those used to Keemun, this tea is probably best to be introduced into Lapsang! Drink on Steepterites!

Preparation
Boiling 6 min, 0 sec

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74
drank Yunnan Noir by Adagio Teas
81 tasting notes

A lovely tea indeed! I received 4oz of this beauty just over an hour ago to which I immediately made a cup straight away. The aroma is complex as the taste of the liquor, with hints of honey, a peppery like smell and of course an earthy aroma. The liquor brewed with boiling water just over 208 degrees gave off a stronger aroma of honey and a dominant earthy aroma famous of this tea type with a smooth, slightly sweet, and astringent on the palate. Flavors that make of the tea is dominant in (again) earthy, aged foliage, with a leathery/smoky undertone without the smooth velvet like chocolaty at the back end of the palate. A decent tea, a decent buy with a great price, deserved of Mrs.Luo’s devotion!

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 5 min, 30 sec

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Bio

I’m a tea lover and a traveler. I believe in delving into cultures and cuisines. In so doing, I have found tea to be the most exciting and adventurous beverage in the world that has played a role in history and in the lives of many. Now that’s a shrub isn’t it!
Note: I may be a purist at times where some teas needs to be enjoyed naturally, yet I do enjoy many other teas that find its way into my palate!

Favorite Teas: Yunnan teas, the staple Assam and some Darjeeling, love Japanese greens, and “indie” teas either home grown or unfamiliar regions i.e. Turkey, Georgia, love Tisanes, Oolongs, some white teas, and my favorite staple: Chai teas.

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http://anthonybazic.blogspot....

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