76 Tasting Notes

71

I don’t know what a cactus flower should smell like but this tea reminds me of men’s aftershave. I’ve been mixing it with a green tea mao feng to make it more tea-like.

CHAroma

Oh dear.

Stephanie

Yeah, sounds icky

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

95

Days after I suffered the news that my beloved Jasmine Oolong had been discontinued by a certain “Place where tea goes when it dies” I may have found a worthy replacement.

I overlooked this tea a few times because, honestly, dry leaf smell is strong and overly floral. Very very feminine smelling, and I’m a dude I use tools to fix stuff. But on my last trip to ZenTea I decided to just go ahead and grab some. Holy Smokes! I’m glad I did!

The TGY base for this is fantastic. Take away the magnolia scent and it’s easily one of the best oolongs in the store. And contrary to what the dry leaf smell would have you believe it’s not at all over powered by the magnolia scent. The magnolia seems to highlight certain aspects of the TGY, I’m constantly getting a citrus note, and another thing that’s almost coconut but really just reminds me of suntan lotion. I know that sounds gross but I’m really enjoying this. There’s complexity here. I digs.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

83

Stopped by the local tea house and grabbed a few things. This Nilgiri from Tiger Hill is quite nice. It reminds me of a second flush Darjeeling with the fruitiness. It also has a woody, chestnutty character. When it cools it gets a chocolate note. I’m pleased.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

92

I may be sick but I can still taste this one!

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

83

I’m trying to make room for some 2013 crop green teas, but I’m still sick and I can’t taste anything. This tea was good last time I had it, but it could be anything today and I wouldn’t know the difference. I’ve barely left my couch in 24 hours. Go Braves!

TheTeaFairy

Argh! One of the worst thing about being sick, to loose the ability of tasting good tea :-(
But keep drinking, it can only help you get better! And GO Braves GO of course, also a helper!

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

94

I’m very sick. Send help. Have the help bring tea.

btw I added fennel to this because 12 things in a tisane is not enough things. Also fennel and peppermint are just the cat’s pajamas together.

Rachel J

Feel better!

CHAroma

Get well soon!

ashmanra

Best wishes for a quick recovery! I love that you keep your perky outlook even when sick!

Terri HarpLady

Sorry to hear you’re sick! I hope you heal quickly!

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

90

It’s 20 year old tea. That’s cool. My tasting notes on this aren’t very concise because I’m also smoking hookah and eating pizza rolls, but lemme tell you, it’s some dark tea. Full bodied, full flavored, earth, and leather. I’ve never really been much of a puerh drinker but I seriously appreciate that there’s no fishyness in this one like I get with some shu puerhs. It’s just very leathery with a sweetness on the finish. It’s probably not the best 20 year old puerh out there but, it’s ok.

EDIT: No, you know what? It’s better than ok. It’s fruity after five steepings. I’m bumping up my rating.

TheTeaFairy

Almost bought this one on my last spectacularly large sample order from Tealux. Will definitely put it on the list.
Blame it on the hookah, but now I’m wondering if there were any pu’erh lovers in The Sergent Pepper Lonely Heart Club Band… That’s what your review made me think of…imagination running wild tonight! (major lack of sleep)
One thing I’m sure though is they weren’t eating pizza rolls :-)

Terri HarpLady

Yeah, I was just thinking, that’s a pretty interesting combination :)

My Friend Rashad

I was also reading Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance while sitting in a papasan if that helps your visual.

TheTeaFairy

Awww, thank you, now the visual is complete! PS, are you really reading Robert Pirsig? Read it in French for school many years ago as a mandatory philosophy reading…

My Friend Rashad

I am totally reading Mr. Pirsig’s inquiry into values for fun right now. And I’m still drinking puerh 3 hours later.

TheTeaFairy

I don’t remember much, but the urge to leave on a road trip to Montana did come to mind at the time…unless I am mistaking with another novel? Could be…

My Friend Rashad

No that’s correct. Rural Minnesota is insanely beautiful in the spring. You should go.

ashmanra

My “Experimental Techniques of the 20th Century” music professor was obsessed with that book! He talked about it all the time. Sounds like you had a great evening and some great tea.

Shmiracles

i knew my kindle was missing something…. just uploaded! thanks for the reminder!

Terri HarpLady

I read that book the year I bought my Harley!
And yes, Rashad, that’s a great visual, & I bet you were barefoot too! :)

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

80

I’ll be up all night transcribing music and charting songs. This tea will be my study buddy! It’s a highly underestimated tea. I find it sitting in my cupboard all unassuming, minding it’s own business. I always forget that it’s actually a pretty good tea. The only thing is, it doesn’t have any real defining characteristics (other than the shape of the leaves). It could be any chinese “red” tea you’ve ever had. Honey and malt. Nonetheless, it’s good tea and good company. Back to work go I.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

83

Why do we have to make this about Valentine’s day? Why can’t I just enjoy this tea year round? Let’s not put such labels on good tea. Tastes like an Andes mint. The red sprinkles leaves a red ring around my mug.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

94

This is… so good. Thank you Stephanie for the sample, I finally got around to it. Second flush > first flush. This is just so fruity! Like strawberry and lychee. There’s a small amount of floral. I have a couple of first flush darjeelings in the cupboard and this blows them all away. More bold, more fruit, mo’ flava.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Profile

Bio

I’m a professional musician. I tour the country and shake my ass to pay for my tea habit.

I tried a cup of some very good Tieguanyin in 2009. That was it. Tea became my thing.

I love pure teas. I love oolongs with natural orchid aroma, winey keemuns, and most things jasmine. I dislike things that taste artificial.

My tea rating system is mostly arbitrary.

There’s a tea for every occasion and I hate having occasions missing from my tea stash.

Location

Atlanta, GA

Following These People

Moderator Tools

Mark as Spammer