111 Tasting Notes

87

This is the last of the pre-chingming teas I ordered fron Upton Tea Imports, and I have to say this tea is quite memorable. The dry leaves smell lightly creamy and fruity, and the leaf sets are beautiful-consisting of two leaves and a bud. The lower part of the leaves are green, but there are lots of white, extremely furry (fuzzy) leaves. This Snow Dragon looks alot like a high quality white tea!

I used roughly 2.5-3 tsps of tea in my glass press and an 8 oz cup. The steeping leaves looked beautiful, and smelled faintly of melons. The steaming hot, wet leaves smelled like…….Nori seaweed sheets: http://www.stashtea.com/Yamamotoyama-Toasted-Nori-Sheets/dp/B006E9T566 , mildly cooling with gentle spinach-like aromas; until, at their coolest, having more of a starchy green bean aroma.

The cup was a light yellow, and only after cooling a bit, could I detect slight creamy and fruity notes. This light character in the cup was somewhat deceiving, as the flavors washed my tongue and palate. As the tea flowed over my taste buds, my expectations were awakened and surprised by the gentle, yet full mouthfeel as a delicious creamy sweetness greeted me. Melon-like notes of cantaloupe mingled in harmony with the delightfully sweet, creamy texture and flavor of this tea! :))

For my second cup, I used roughly 1.5 tsp of tea added to the previously steeped leaves. The steeping leaves truly reminded me of lightly buttered lima beans. The wet leaves still exhibited aromatics of seaweed (to a lesser extent), cooling to a dry green bean aroma. The cup was a little darker, and had a slightly more fruity nose. Flavors were similar, with a little more depth on my palate. This depth seemed to sharpen the fruity melon flavor a little, along with a delicate vegetal quality, while the tea still retained its sweet and smooth character.

Of the five pre-chingming teas I sampled, Snow Dragon is one I would seriously consider repurchasing. From the beautiful leaf to the aromas, to the gentle and very satisfying, smooth, sweet, fruity cup-this is a special tea! Snow Dragon is….in a word…SUBLIME! :))

Cupped & Reviewed: Thursday, May 24, 2012.

Preparation
180 °F / 82 °C 3 min, 30 sec
gmathis

Just got the newest Upton print catalog and NOW I know what Chingming is!(Chinese Memorial Day, more or less.)

Missy

What’s a pre-chingming?

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84

My experience with pre-chingming teas is limited, but from what I know and have tasted, all of them have been gentle and light in flavor. This Pi Lo Chun is no exception. The leaves are a very pretty, curly green leaf, with many curly, furry white tipped leaves. They are also very young and tender. Sample aroma is lightly fresh and creamy.

My first two cups were steeped between 175-185 in an 8 oz cup. The hot, wet leaves smelled creamy and nutty, until; at their coolest, smelled lightly of grass and dirt. In the cup, the color was a light yellow, with a very light aroma. I had to inhale very deeply to get nutty aromatics from the cup. My palate was pleased with a delicate sweetness and smoothness. The tea also possesses a nutty quality that teased me with its gentle nature.

I added the rest of the sample to the leaves of my second cup (195-200 for 2.5 minutes), and the mix gave my nose aromas of cream, nuts, and grass. The wet leaves smelled somewhat smokey and nutty. Interestingly, I also noticed straw-like characteristics.

The cup color became a cloudy darker yellow. The flavors were fuller with additional nuttiness on my palate. Even though half the leaves were steeped six minutes, there was no bitterness. There was still a smoothness and greater sweetness, with lighter straw-like notes piggybacking for the ride along my tongue. Light astringency was more noticeable as the cup cooled, and coupled with the nuts, coated the back of my tongue. The flavor nuances remained after the last swallow.

This Pi Lo Chun proved to be a very subtle tea in its aromas and flavors, and only after a longer steep (with additional tea) did a slightly fuller cup emerge. This is a good, gentle tea that I really enjoyed. Not an everyday tea in my opinion, but one that should be savored-when a tea is needed for quiet and relaxing times.

Cupped: Monday & Tuesday, May 21-22, 2012.

Reviewed: Tuesday, May 22, 2012.

Preparation
180 °F / 82 °C 3 min, 30 sec
Bonnie

Piggybacking is a great word for what delicate flavors do at times. I really should begin to make notes with these good discriptive words that I never can come up with but roll off the mind of someone like you so easily.

ScottTeaMan

It’s not always easy. :))

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88

This weekend has been a green tea weekend for me. Yesterday, I drank older China greens from my stash. When it gets hot like this (sunny & mid 80’s), I usually reach for white and green teas.

Did anyone else watch the Preakness Stakes yesterday? Man, what a great race. After watching the KY Derby, I honestly thought, ‘Wow!! I’LL HAVE ANOTHER is a strong closer…….he has a good chance to win the Triple Crown’. Well, I didn’t bet anything so just for fun I picked my top horses. I almost always pick #7 (which happened to be Bodemeister) to win, place or show. Then, I’LL HAVE ANOTHER (could win) was #9. I thought #6 CREATIVE CAUSE would place or show, and I picked a longshot-#2 TEETH OF THE DOG. Had I been betting, I would have thrown out my longshot, even though I like dogs. :)) My final decision was 7-9-2-6. I can’t wait for the Belmont in two weeks…….and to finally review this tea!

This China green is a really nice tea at $4.29/oz., and I used 1+ tsp per the instructions, and an 8 oz cup. In the bag it smelled sweet and creamy, and the leaf is very nice with some white tippy leaves. When steeping it smelled vegetal, and somewhat reminiscent of a Sencha. The steaming hot leaves had a mild smokey, creamy aroma, that cooled to a mild vegetal/grassy nose-once again reminding me of a Sencha.

The cup was a mellow yellow, and I waited for the cup to cool to sniff out the aromas. The sweet, mildly vegetal aroma brought back thoughts of a Sencha. The flavor is clean, smooth and mildly like a Sencha. Smooth on my palate and mildly grassy, without astringency or bitterness. Have I said SENCHA enough yet? :)) A very calming, delicious cup of tea! I’m off to have another…….

After adding roughly 1 tsp (3 minutes at 195) to the previously steeped leaves, I was smelling slightly stronger vegetal notes. The wet leaves smelled a tad more smokey, and a deeper more buttery aroma emerged, cooling to a fresh broccoli aroma. Cup color was slightly darker, with a stronger veggie quality. The warmer cup unveiled warm, creamy, vegetable goodness. As the cup cooled, I was finally picking up on some astringency noted in Upton’s description. This was a good green tea astringency that was not offensive, and stayed on my palate for quite some time. :))

This is a tasty green tea for the money. What I like about Jade Cloud Mist is the change in character and taste in the first and second cups. While I do love Senchas alot, this tea gives you a bit of that Sencha character. The first cup is more smooth with mild Sencha-like aspects, while the second cup gives you more vegetal astringency, without having to worry about oversteeping the tea quite as much as you do with Senchas. :)) This truly is the kind of tea that makes this Tea-aholic say, “I’LL HAVE ANOTHER!!!”.

Cupped & Reviewed: Sunday, May 20, 2012.

Preparation
180 °F / 82 °C 3 min, 0 sec
Indigobloom

whew could feel the tension there!
I think I’d vote for I’ll Have Another just because of his name :P

ScottTeaMan

I think that horse is strong enuff to win the Triple Crown.

momo

I know someone who won $120 on a $5 bet because of his name, she was like “my drinking has worked out for me!” haha. I watched out of curiosity and I couldn’t believe how exciting it was to watch. I’m a racing fan, but I am not too keen on horses, but I suppose you know, watching on TV for 3 minutes doesn’t mean I am around them so that probably helped.

ScottTeaMan

It’s so fun to watch. :))

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34

I’m not a huge fan of RoT, but I do think some of their fruity black teas are decent. Every year I get a few samples with a catalog, so I decided to try this.

There are twenty herbs in this…….TWENTY! I smelled the teabag, but got more aroma from the envelope it came in. From a distance it reminded me of Bubble Yum bubble gum. Closer sniffication reveals Rooibos, allspice, anise, lemon grass, cinnamon, and vanilla.

The main cup aromas were Rooibos, allspice, anise, lemongrass, and wintermint. My palate detected mainly Rooibos & allspice, while the anise hit the back of my palate. I did notice slight hibiscus in the aftertaste. Overall, a very mild cup.

I remember seeing somewhere that one of their teabags contains between 1.0-1.3 grams of tea. The standard is 2.25-3.0 grams per 6 to 8 oz cup. So you really do need two teabags to get a decent cup. That means IF I wanted to ice this tea (a general rule is to double the tea for iced tea), I’d need 3 or 4 times as much!! NOT FOR ME. :-[

To top it off this is a 20th Anniversary Tea! What a major letdown. I mean, I can’t believe they thought, ‘YES!! This is our best representation in celebration of twenty years in the tea industry! Now go celebrate!!’ This was NOT a celebration in a cup. Twenty ingredients is a mishmash in a cup-way too many, which turns out to be a mess in my cup.

I need a good FF Darjeeling RIGHT NOW! That’s a tea that is worthy of…….and IS a celebration in a cup. :))

Cupped & Reviewed: Friday, May 18, 2012.

Preparation
Boiling 8 min or more
Alphakitty

I feel like 20 herbs is WAY too many and the batches get kind of wonky. I’ve had a totally different experience with this tea—no hibiscus or rooibos at all, mostly peppermint/lemongrass/anise/lemon (reminded me of a sleepytime blend), now I’m wondering if the bags I’ve tried have actually been missing some ingredients.

ScottTeaMan

I got wintermint instead of prppermint. zdid you try this and like it?

TeaBrat

this was truly revolting…

ScottTeaMan

I think the “34” may have been too kind…

Missy

sniffication, that’s awesome.

Alphakitty

I liked mine, but it was seriously missing like half of these ingredients. It just tasted like a vaguely chai-y sleepytime blend. No hibiscus, rooibos, vanilla, blackberry, allspice, or chicory at least that I could detect. But if you like a tea because it doesn’t taste like half of the ingredient list… yeah, not so great on the company’s part.

Bonnie

Maybe you should roll it up and smoke it!

Azzrian

Seems like Alphakitty accidentally got the 10 year blend. 20 herbs to celebrate 20 years – dumb idea. LOL

Indigobloom

I blame it on the hibiscus. Kills a blend every time… (just kidding!)
But yes, 20 seems like FAR too many!!

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94

I’ve been wanting to try a raw Tuo cha for years, and the rice aspect seemed so appealing. A special Thank You to AmyOh for sending some my way!

I thought the rice scented tuo cha smelled just like a lightly sweetened rice cake. As it was steeping, I was getting lots of hot steam in my face, and light sweet rice aromas. The wet tea leaves had doubled in height and were still cylindrical. It looked like the inner leaves were striving to break free, but the outer leaves were holding them back. They smelled so aromatic- more smokey, with good sweet rice aromas. As the leaves cooled, the smokiness and sweet rice aromas were more balanced. Still cooler, the sweet rice aromas stepped up and the smoke receded somewhat; until-at their coolest, there were more sweet rice aromas, toastiness, and only light smoke.

The cup is a light yellow, which I found deceiving, because the aroma is much stronger than I expected it would be. Major toasted sweet rice aroma, with lighter smokiness in the cup (as the cup cooled).

Man, this was very tasty! Very sweet, lightly toasted rice-like putting a rice cake in the toaster, and lightly toasting it :)) So smooth on my palate-Aaahhhh toasty rice, with no smokiness detected! I like how it coats and stays (lightly, not too heavy) on my palate, even after the tea is swallowed. After swallowing the tea, I taste a light sweetness-like plain Rice Crispies cereal.

While steeping my second cup (45 seconds at 190), I saw light foam and bubbles, and good rice aroma. After pouring a cup, the wet tea leaves had finally broken free-some were even climbing my tea press trying to escape! “Oh, noo you don’t….I’m not done with you yet!” :)) The wet tea leaves smell even more smokey. As they cool, still quite smokey with faint rice aromas; until even cooler-less smokey & more rice aromas.

The cup is a darker yellow. The rice aroma is apparent, with a mild, lighter smokiness. A toasty aroma is there too-overall, the cup is aromatically lighter. The flavor seems light, until the tea hit the back of my palate. WOW!! Flavors are more smokey and astringent (in a good way) than my first cup, with a lighter rice quality. Tasted even more like a toasty rice cake on the back of my palate, with a full, toasted rice flavor. My best cup yet! :))

Am I the only one who swirls and swishes the tea around & ‘round my mouth to intensify the taste & flavors of the tea?!? I also inhale oxygen into my mouth. What can I say? It helps me enhance the taste and flavors of the tea. :)) If you dare….or care…to read on, there’s more to come later. I’m not done with you yet! Well, some of you anyway.

In my third cup (45 seconds at 195), it appears that some of the smaller leaves did escape into my cup on the pour. Actually, I remember reading or hearing that if some leaves end up in your cup, it’s OK to leave them there. Oh…….when my friend Elise was in China, the Chinese would leave them in their cups. She said they left them there because it added to the overall tea experience.

The tea liqour continues to darken and the smokey aroma continues. Leaves still possess smokey/toasty aromas, with the rice character waning, cooling to reveal less smoke and more fruit (lemon fresh?). I’m also getting that fresh “distant, grass in the air” aroma. On my palate, there is less smoke, but a greater toasty/nutty astringency.

Boiling water for 2:15, reveals leaves that STILL smell of smoke and nuts, that also exhibit the fresh quality of the third cup. The flavors are fading, but still retain a good tangy green quality.

Thanks again Amy for broadening my tea experience with this delicious tea! I love teas like this where each steep reveals different qualities and flavors of the tea. :)) I’ll just have to remember to Gongfu teas on the weekends when I have more time.

I always remember my Grandma (Dad’s mom) on her birthday. She was very kind, caring and loving. She liked coffee with her fish. She was a great cook. Before we would leave on our journey home, she always baked fried apple pies special for me, because she knew I liked them so much. I always hated goodbyes (still do), but the pies would help a little. So tonight, I will have a cup of coffee, and think of her and all of the fond memories, filled with the good times we shared. :))

Cupped & Reviewed: Thursday, May 17, 2012.

Preparation
190 °F / 87 °C 1 min, 0 sec
TeaBrat

yay! I am glad you liked this one, it is definitely one of my favorite raw pu-erhs. The rice aroma just smells fantastic, doesn’t it?

Azzrian

Did you do a rinse with this first? I have some mini toucha rice pu’erh I want to try with my stir fry tonight.

ScottTeaMan

Yes!! I could drink this one everyday…….seriously. :))

Azzrian-No, I’ve never rinsed a Pu-erh, at least not yet.

ScottTeaMan

This one would be great with stir fry!! MUST. REMEMBER.

ashmanra

I’m a swisher!

TeaBrat

I don’t always rinse the green pu-erhs, I think the shus are the ones more likely to be stinky. But the Chinese tea shops I go to rinse everything…

ScottTeaMan

You only rinse for 20-30 seconds, right?

TeaBrat

yes, a very quick rinse is fine

ScottTeaMan

All Steepies who wish to read, my review is complete!

Missy

I’m with you on swishing tea around. I think it’s easier to pick up different flavors if you hold it in different spots. The sides of my tongue seem to be more sensitive. Maybe I’m wearing the top out or some thing. :D

Missy

I’m with you on swishing tea around. I think it’s easier to pick up different flavors if you hold it in different spots. The sides of my tongue seem to be more sensitive. Maybe I’m wearing the top out or some thing. :D

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43

I received this bagged iced tea as a gift from my sister in Oregon, and I really do appreciate it. I always love getting tea gifts even though I have several buttloads of the leaf.

As the water was getting hot I read the box-’Flavor with lemon or lime (I really like lime), Thai black tea, FD & C Yellow #6, and Vanilla. Huh? Uuhh Ohh….artificial coloring, and… {Sniff Sniff} arificial flavoring. :-[

The cup color was a very pretty deep orange in my glass, but it smelled artificial. I added sugar-much more than necessary, and added a little ice. I like some sugar in my iced tea sometimes, but this was WAAY to sweet. I am still tasting artificial vanilla-BOOO & hiss!

Even the additional sweetener couldn’t hide the artificial flavoring, and may have prevented me from tasting any tea. I was going to buy real limes, but maybe I’ll save a little money and go for the lime juice in a bottle. I need something more to help this tea!

My sister is a rather short, feisty person, with a great sense of humor, but if she reads this poor review, she could kick my butt, several times over!

I don’t know why I looked up “buttload” in the wee hours of the morning.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=buttload

After reading the first definition, I couldn’t stop laughing! :)) Perhaps I was slap-happy. Anyway, it sure was more entertaining than this tea!

Cupped & Reviewed: Thursday, May 17, 2012.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 4 min, 0 sec
Kittenna

Major boo at the artificial colouring. I’m very against that sort of thing. I’d rather drink a beverage with little to no colour than one bursting with vibrant artificialness. Flavouring I have much less problem with (unless the taste is fakey), but colouring is completely unnecessary!

Lucy

Haha buttload. It was because it was in the wee hours of the morning =)

Azzrian

ROFL I like #3 the best :)

Missy

LOL I’ve used buttload before, but I’ve never looked it up.

ScottTeaMan

Bigger than “this”….bigger than “this”…but smaller than “that”! HAHAHA…..seriously! Who thought to define it that way. I never knew…….

ScottTeaMan

#3!!! Oh, Stop the tears of laughter!

Sandy Stith

LOL on the urban dictionary!

Mélissa

Iced teas are meant to be sweetened. Litterally. They are screaming ‘’Put some agave on meeeee’‘. And I’m with you on the artificial flavorings….cringe

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97

I was thinking about psychics recently, and while I do believe most psychics aren’t what they claim to be, I do believe some phychics are the real deal (like the ones who help law enforcement find people). Well, on May 12th I posted a review, saying my Birthday was today, along with many family members having May birthdays. Now yesterday, I got a package filled with tea samples. These samples were mailed before I let the cat out of the bag.

Thank You Amy Oh for the samples and for this delicious tea! You must be psychic! :))

This Darjeeling may be the best I’ve ever tasted-definitely the best in the last few years. The dry leaves are beautiful, well varigated green/brown hued leaves. When the tea was steeping I thought it smelled of asparagus and nuts-pecan-like pehaps. The wet leaves had similar aromas, and occasionally I thought I caught light wiffs of artichoke.

The cup color was light orange/brown, with a real sweetness that to me smelled nutty and green. I had a hard time pinpointing the aromas. There was not a deep nuttiness like a second flush, or a deep green profile. I also smelled fruits I couldn’t describe. That is rare for me. Definite aromas of what to me was asparagus and pecans were there, along with fruits, in a light yet full and balanced combination.

The taste was FREAKIN’ AWESOME!! The asparagus, nuts and fruits were so magical! The full flavors pleased my palate beyond explanation. There was no harsh astringency on my palate. I really thought there was little to no astringecy, except a minor amount upon swallowing, which was nothing but exceptionally pleasing!! :)) The flavors clinged to my palate long after the tea was gone. :))

This tea is VERY addicting- so juicy and delicious! I’ll sample this again soon! I wasn’t picking up on the pineapple, so I’ll see if I pick up on it with another superb cup. Thank You Amy for a nearly perfect tea, and the perfect close to a great Birthday! This tea made today a better day. :)) The party’s over :((…….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_-pcD9WqpA&feature=related
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=659zk35_wRQ&feature=related

Cupped & Reviewed: Tuesday, May 15, 2012. THE IDES OF MAY!

A second steep at 212 for 3 minutes, reveals a light, flavorful cup. The cup itself was only slightly darker. Leaves revealed light, more fruity aromas, some of a light muscat quality. Aromas in the cup were lightly sweet, consisting of butter and honey notes. My palate was greeted with light fruitiness and light astringency. Overall, a cup of light aromas, flavors, and astringency-still worthy to be called a nice, gentle cup of tea. :))

Cupped: Thursday, May 17, 2012. Reviewed: Friday, May 18, 2012.

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 3 min, 0 sec
Ninavampi

Happy Birthday! I am glad it was great! :)

Bonnie

Wow, Journey…takes me back to my first computer classes in 1981! Yikes, dumb terminals..and main frames! Puke! And pagers, remember pagers anyone?! Ok, if you do, you are my friend! Happy Birthday again….Amy was good! She’s your Tea Mama!

TeaBrat

Ahhh! So glad you enjoyed this one. Now you know why I had to get the large size. :)

ScottTeaMan

Yeah!! It’s so good now I want the larger size, & I can’t forget Thunderbolt & the XPress!!! Thunderbolt’s probably wont beat this one. I mean seriously….it it realy that good

Thanks for the Birthday Wishes. :))

Angrboda

Happy birthday. :)

ScottTeaMan

Thanks Angrboda!

ScottTeaMan

She’s my Tea LAMA! Hehehee…….

ashmanra

A one l lama, he’s a priest. A two l llama, he’s a beast! Thank you, Ogden Nash!

ScottTeaMan

Tried a second steep…….you can read it if you wish. :))

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95

Hey everyone! I will review this tea later. Time to bolt for lunch. Here are a few songs that are fun-say for a party and/or a good time! Enjoy!! :))

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e37DBJ2SBYw&feature=related
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QSyaBHr1jU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCy8Xtp2P20&feature=related

Later…….

I’m back, and WOW, what another beautiful, warm sunny day! I got a sample of this a couple weeks ago, and it is so different-AMAZING! In the dry leaf, I was getting a creamy sweetness, and lots of flowers. The leaves are mostly green and tippy white, and I think I know why I call It creamy. The tippy white leaves add a softer, sweet, creamy texture-which I love. :))

I used at least 1.5 tsp for a 9 oz cup. As the tea steeped I was getting alot of white foam on top, nice sweetness, alot of flowery aromas, and fruits too. The cup color was yellow/orange-put another way, a very lightly orange hued color. In cup aroma, I was getting some fruits, but this cup is alot more flowery; but what flowers? Gardenia came to mind, but something else. What? I couldn’t put my finger on it.

I had to taste the cup at this point, constantly swirling the tea around my mouth. I thought it was extremely smooth-honestly buttery. Then it hit me! This tea is flowery like buttercups, or the yellow heads of dandelions. I know I used enough leaf, and I know I steeped it 3 minutes. I have NEVER had a Darjeeling tea so smooth, yet it had definite qualities of a Darjeeling tea! If there was astringency-for me it was slight, because I really had a hard time detecting it. That is not a bad thing. It is a big part of why it was so amazing! Normally, I like more astringency, but in this case I didn’t miss it at all. :))

This tea is so savory and delicious! I’m gonna go have another cup. :)) More to come! Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKj30Ltiqxk&feature=related
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHU7EdyAYrg&feature=related

I added 1 tsp new leaf to steeped leaves to see IF I could get more astringency. I do this mainly because I try to coax different flavors and aromas from the tea (200 for 3 min,). I was still getting alot of foam on top while the leaves were steeping. At this point I was getting light asparagus, and light grape aromas. Wet tea leaves smelled less flowery. I was thinking white grapes at this point, and they had more of a white grape fruitiness.

Surprisingly, the cup color was only slightly darker-still yellow/orange in color. Aromas in the cup were a little heavier in sweetness-with a light honey aroma, and light muscat grape aroma. Even after the leaves from the first cup were steeped 6 minutes now, the astringency on my palate was light-again, I’m thinking white grapes.

This is such a unique, smooth, sweet, and delicious Darjeeling tea that is unlike any other I’ve tasted! Let me tell you, it’s harder to settle for lesser Darjeelings (or other types of tea), when you taste a top tier selection like this one! One could go broke quickly buying teas like this one all the time. :-// Note to self:’ You must exhibit self control!’. Or I can find ways to divert my attention. Like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3HulT8reO8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I18pVZVUbVE&feature=related

It might work sometimes anyway! :))

Cupped & Reviewed: Tuesday, May 15, 2012. THE IDES OF MAY!

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 3 min, 0 sec
ScottTeaMan

Review complete, if anyone wants to read it?!?!

TeaBrat

Very good! I wish I could think of more things to write about a tea sometimes. But this was certainly delicious, wasn’t it?

Scott B

I ordered this yesterday-am anxious to try it.

Cheryl

Agree with Amy. Your reviews make mine look amateur (but of course in reality, they are : )

ScottTeaMan

Amy: Sometimes I wonder if I’m too verbose….like I said in my review the other day, ’Sometimes I ramble on….and on…and on. Sometimes I try to add a bit of humor-probably more funny to me than most others. That said, I really to try to be honest in my reviews-for everyone on Steepster. :)) Yes, it was delicious! :))

Thanks Cheryl! Do you guys and gals think when I talk about the dry leaf, wet leaf, etc-that it’s to much…….like BLAH BLAH BLAH! Sometimes I think it is, but I do it so I can remember more about the tea. :))

Cheryl- Good Live Vid.:))

Cheryl

Scott: Write what you want, first and foremost. For me personally, when I’m reading dashboard reviews, I usually read the entire review. If I’m doing a testing of a particular tea, I’ll read for key words, steeping parameters, etc. If I’m reading to see if it’s something I might want to buy, it all depends how undecided I am : ) Bottom line: you are you. Be you.

ScottTeaMan

Me is me. Hey, my sis used to live in Deleware OH, then she had to move to Santa Fe NM, then on to OR.

Angrboda

Cheryl, that was very well put. I completely agree.

TeaBrat

I do follow a lot of people on Steepster so I have mixed feelings about really long reviews. A few people fall into the downright boring category and I don’t read a word they say, but yours are not (in my humble opinion). Sometimes when a review is really long I will just skim it for the important details.
I agree with Cheryl that you should write what you want though. I think of Steepster as a tea diary of sorts

ScottTeaMan

Thanks! :)) Hey, I follow and read alot of reviews, but some people I still “FOLLOW”-like TeaEqualsBliss (and others), and there reviews, comments, etc., don’t show up in my Dashboard.Does anyone have the same issue??

Cheryl

Scott… haven’t been to Delaware in years. My bro used to live there too. “Home” to me is Columbus/Westerville area, although I’m north of that for now (Knox Co.). Are you in Toledo? : )

Cheryl

(goes to look at who Amy is following, lol) Kidding aside, I admit, I do skim some faster than others, mainly because I’m not interested in the tea (coz of category or company…like (gasp) David’s).

ScottTeaMan

Near Cleveland…….yeah I pass on most Davids Teas, and Rooibos-except maybe the Chai Rooibos, ’cause I like Chai

Cheryl

You are probably too young to remember, but Columbus and Cleveland used to have quite the rivalry. Being called Cowtown was motivating though, apparently.

ScottTeaMan

Maybe I am,…….but not sure.

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93

I’m going to start with a little story. Yesterday, members of my local family (my Momma, Grandma, Aunt), went for Mother’s Day brunch and we had a good time. I passed on the horrible restaurant tea and opted for….wait for it…COFFEE!! Egads! It was bad too-only a little sugar made it tolerable. As the conversations moved along, occasionally, I thought of my good tea at home and my fellow Steepsterites. Then it occurred to me-while I am not a huge fan of Facebook (extremely rarely on), I love Steepster. :)) Steepster IS my Facebook! Then I smiled. :)) I spent the rest of the day with my Momma.

I am sending a huge Thank You to JenW for this delicious sample. :)) Beautiful long and slender leaves that are a combination of colors-some black, some black/beige, while most are a tippy golden beige color. The aroma is terrific, with a sweet honey aroma, and lighter chocolate notes.

The wet leaves exude a toasty, woody, medium to dark chocolate sweetness. The thought of sweet potatoes crossed my nose (maybe a little). Then came the smell of musty/earthy fallen leaves. Ahh….the sweetness…I inhaled so deeply, so many times, I was nearly hyperventilating! Is it true? I was picking up on a lighter candy sweet cherry note. Maybe it was just the lack of oxygen to my brain, because as the leaves cooled I couldn’t detect it. Now, I was detecting toasty and wood-like sweetness.

The cup was a dark brown. Where was the bottom of my cup? The cup revealed aromas of sweet honey (raisins?), combined with a musty, earthy aroma. The flavor was quite malty, earthy, and dark chocolatey, with a mild sweetness. The feeling on my palate was smooth, with no bitterness.

Then other aromas in the kitchen invaded my senses :-//, so the review will be continued…….

At 9:30 PM tonight, the Horseshoe Casino is opening in Cleveland. I’ll get there sometime soon. I steeped the leftover leaves from my last steep with about 2 tsp of additional leaf (190 for 3 min.). I hope my leftover tea leaves aren’t too much of a gamble for my intestines! :-//

My second steep unearthed honey, earthy sweetness while steeping. The wet leaves also had honey earthy aromas, cooling to a more earthy than honey sweet aroma. The cup was even darker-or seemed to be. I was thinking, “Is there anybody in there?!”. Oh yeah….there was…I saw my own reflection! :)) My sinuses were really bothering me, so my cup aromas were hampered. I did detect darker honey, slightly earthy yunnan mustiness, and some malty aroma. The flavors I noticed were slight & thin (sinuses), with some mild astringency-not bitterness. This is in large part due to steeping the previous leaves again.

This was not quite the review I was hoping for, but I will review this tea more after dinner with my Dad and a friend of ours at a local sports bar called Bootleggers. For now, I have to bolt (as in Thunderbolt). :)) Steep on steepies…….

Had a great dinner on an outdoor patio with lots of sunshine, but it did get cooler before we left. It was also very calming listening to a water fountain. :)) Good conversation, laughter, and music (Led Zeppelin, Journey, America, Def Leppard, etc.).

So for my third cup (2 tsp, 185 for 2:20), I did read some reviews after my first cup. Some people got (baked) sweet potatoes, or a raisin quality. Dry leaves smelled of honey, malty sweetness with chocolate notes. My sinuses were clogged AGAIN, so the wet leaves smelled mainly honey sweet (possibly raisins), mild chocolate, and some sort of baked sweetness. The cup smelled malty sweet, chocolatey, and earthy. Flavors in the cup were mainly malty, chocolatey, and earthy.

My last cup was similar (boiling for 3 min.), and I added the rest of the sample to the steeped leaves from the third cup. I tasted less sweetness, and it was mainly full of musty earth, and less chocolate. I was hoping to taste some of the baked qualities. :-// The feeling on my palate was smooth and quite full without bitterness!

What a great and delicious tea! I will definitely be ordering some more. This tea reminds me more of Autumn, but it is awesome anytime! Thanks again JenW-this was much appreciated. :)) A perfect end to another beautiful day! I’m gonna go…….seems I keep rambling on…and on….and on. :))

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3HemKGDavw

Cupped & Reviewed: Monday, May 14, 2012.

Preparation
185 °F / 85 °C 2 min, 0 sec
ashmanra

You are a good son! :)
I understand about steepster being your Facebook. Steepster is better because we send each other tea. That doesn’t happen on Facebook!

Bonnie

Um good discription of the flavors! Steepster is a relationship about tea and people! Tea should be about community or something is wrong!

TheTeaFairy

I also prefer Steepster if you have to compare! although they serve different purposes, I find Facebook to be more about the individual as opposed to Steepster where you find a true sharing community! That’s what happens when you put a bunch of poeple together with the same passion!

Cheryl

Oh! Ohio!

Bonnie

And u post photos on facebook which sometimes I wish u could have a couple here for personal tea shots or tea cats /dogs etc.

ScottTeaMan

I know Bonnie thats why people blog tea reviews elsewhere, so the can include photos. i am considering doing it, but I’ll stillreview teas here. :))

cheryl= Ohio?!

Cheryl

Yep :b

ScottTeaMan

If you care to read, update is complete. This seems appropriate:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3HemKGDavw

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86

I am supposed to be asleep right now. :// I must drink too much tea late in the evening, although it doesn’t usually keep me up at night.

I tasted this tea many, many blue moons ago, and I was positive I had posted a public review on Upton’s website. At the very least, I was sure I typed a personal rating (private) of this tea years ago. I’ve purchased so much tea from them, that maybe that had to limit some of my ratings; or, because it is out of stock, perhaps any public review is gone. At any rate, I can’t find it so I’ll do my best. :))

To aid in my review, I have pasted my comments for what is this tea, from Amy Oh’s review of #TT51-a slightly differnt Formosa Keemun.

2 days ago: WOW…….This one takes me back at least 8 yrs, and it was $2 cheaper, so not really a huge price increase. Anywho, without giving a full review (and I really do remember this one), I thought it was really good. I must have used more leaf, because I remember a fuller falavor.(<==sp. flavor) It is definitely different than a Chinese Keemun, I distinctly remember it being woody (oaky perhaps), but definitely woody. I don’t remember the Oolong note, and there is no smokiness like some Chinese Keemuns.

Hey wait…….this is turning into a full review…….me done. :))

Well, I’m not quite done yet. It turns out I purchased this tea nearly 9 years, 7 months ago. The more I think about it, the Oolong quality probably was present, but more like that of a darker oolong, and even at that, the oolong characteristic was light in comparison to the woody aspect of the tea. I wasn’t getting any smokey notes either.

Based on the other reviews of the newer Formosa Oolong (#TT51), I believe this tea did have a fuller flavor. Also, if you look at the leaves of this tea, they don’t appear to be as long & uniform. Another way of putting it is #TT51 Superior Formosa Oolong is more a whole leaf tea. Whole leaf teas tend to be smoother in character to smaller, less uniform, or cut teas.

This tea was a very good, full flavored tea, and even though the brewing info below is as correct as I remember, the tea wasn’t astringent or bitter. Thanks Amy for jump starting my memory! I’m glad I remembered enough to post this review, because this tea really was unique and delicious. :))

Cupped: October & November, 2002.

Reviewed: Sunday, May 13, 2012. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 4 min, 0 sec

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