Wild Orchid Teas

First, hello everyone again! It’s been years since I’ve been able to devote time to a proper teavaluation. I’ve grown a bit, and like a fine wine or scotch, the ageing, in my opinion, has mellowed me a bit. This review also comes with an announcement: I am starting my own tea business. After struggling for three years with cell phones, insurance, and a few other things, I have decided that I really just don’t do the whole ‘Yes, Boss!’ thing that most people do. This decision is made with full understanding of what I am getting myself into, and I know of it’s rewards and sacrifices I need to make. As a note and disclaimer, I endeavor to be impartial in my reviews as a tea enthusiast. I am confident that I can exercise this, as I have practice Beer judging impartially. (New hobby since I’ve left.)

So, onto the tea review.

The Vithanakande OP1 I picked up at Elaine’s tea shoppe appears to be a lustrous grey, longer leaf than I expect when I see OP1 on a bag or tin. Almost no twigs, and no indeterminate plant matter.

I’m brewing in glass for neutral taste, and watching the leaves dance similar to a silver needle tea is wonderful, as the water turns to a copper brown that manages to be somewhat iridescent.

The brewed tea is a caramel-cedar aroma, which delivers in it’s full-bodied flavour. A hint of copper trails through, though, which stared as a nice sandy earth tone.

Second brew, the copper subsides fully to the sandy earth caramel cup of brown joy I have come to expect from vithanakande.

The copper wasn’t unpleasant, however, so I really enjoyed this tea. As I judge beer, I’m finding that just because I like something, doesn’t mean it fits the style of beer, and it’s going to lose a few points for the copper tone. I should revisit the other vith’s I have picked up and see if I can detect copper, now that my palate has been actually trained to look for things.

Folks, it’s a pleasure to be back.

While shopping at Elaine’s Tea Shoppe in Toledo, I came across this tea and loved the idea of earl grey and jasmine – two of my favorite teas.

It is enjoyable. I don’t want to rate it just yet. I feel like I need to have another shot at it to truly know how I feel.

Drinking this tea was like an epiphany of all things wonderful in a cup! It truly was an amazing way to start my day with creamy sweet yumminess that filled my entire being. So much so, that I am going to resteep another cup of enlightment RIGHT NOW…ahhhhhhhh…:)

Hours at a training meeting today were brightened by the thermos of this tea.

Learned today that the number one identifier of abuse is isolation. Sometimes this world makes my heart hurt.

Re-steeped yesterday mornings tea for work today :) Still delicious. This is going to be a good day!

This tea was calling to me this morning from my tea cabinet. I was in the mood for a sweet dessert tea this morning and this did not fail me. A little sugar and milk…brilliant!! This is taking my Monday morning blues away and helping me focus on the work ahead this week.

I love when I find a tea I can enjoy without any additions. Smooth, creamy toffee with the rich, dark, earthy pu-erh – perfect blend of flavors. Each sip promises that this will be a staple on my tea shelf. WOW!!!

Picked this up at Elane’s Tea Shoppe in Toledo. So glad I did. What a delightful way to begin my day :)

Not as strong of an aroma as I was expecting; both the flavor and smell are more mild than many blueberry greens. Still, a lovely and light cup.

not very good

Little aroma, no flavor, no sweetness. Meh—nothing else to say.

Mocha-color grounds have no discernible aroma. Tisane is light peachy color—very pretty. Need to steep at least 7-8 minutes. Pleasant enough with sweet honey notes, but kind of meh. Cannot be re-steeped successfully.

Definite apricot aroma to dry leaves, but steeped tea smells more peachy. Mild sweetness but little fruit flavor in the brew. A nice cup, but I expected more.

Light-bodied green tea with light spearmint flavor. Hints of sweetness and nuttiness. Better with a bit of rock sugar.

Merely approaching an OK flavored green. Dry leaves smell like cherry Kool-aid. 1st infusion—lightly rose scented with a slight cherry flavor. 2nd infusion (30 sec. longer)—artificial cherry flavor really develops and overwhelms any subtlety of the green tea and rose.

A basic oolong—nothing special. Little aroma—some light floral notes; little complexity in flavor.

Little aroma, at best, a very elusive scent of muscatel. Highly astringent. Flavor is OK, but not memorable. 2nd infusion: stronger scent, milder taste but still very astringent

Very light, creamy caramel aroma and flavor with a softer tart undernote. Taste of brown sugar is enhanced with adding a bit of rock sugar while infusing.