86

Today was a grey day with no rain…I much prefer rain.

I went in the woods to get bad vibes out of my system. I saw all kinds of beauty, and it filled my head with positive energy.

Never underestimate the power of nature.

I promised myself I would try some of my new high end dark oolong from Toa Tea Leaf.

Tonight, I chose this “almond” Phoenix Dancong. Another miracle of nature.

How does a tea get so naturally floral and nutty is beyond comprehension.

I would say this has pretty much the same profile as honey orchid oolong, except it is not as sweet, and more nutty. Roasted nuts, with an orchid opening and a light astringent finish.

This type of oolong has to be brewed with very short steeps, otherwise, it turns bitter.

The wet leaf smells like a luxuriant garden of lilac and orchids. That fragrance is just intoxicating.

Needless to say, I love it. Is it for every one? Maybe not. First, it is quite expensive and I’m not sure this flavour profile would suit you if you’ve never really experiment with oolongs. I would try with something more “friendly” like Tie Guan Yin first.

All in all, a very good tea that I’m enjoying a lot tonight.

Pic for those who are interested:

http://instagram.com/p/rn-mXdQh5J/

boychik

I got 5g sample of this to try. dont really like flowery oolongs but who knows. maybe I will. love the setup as usual ;)

TheTeaFairy

Well, I can’t wait to see what you think! I feel I have a flower bomb in my mouth, wonder if it’s my tastebuds playing tricks on me! I was expecting a lot more toasted notes. The leaves are really beautiful.

Tomorrow, I’m trying their award winning Big Red Robe! Can’t wait.

boychik

whats the temp?195F?

TheTeaFairy

Well I followed instructions at 212, but will go lower next time.

boychik

all his instructions @212. its not right.

boychik

did you buy 25g?

boychik

did you get Bei Dou Oolong? Amazing. pure pot, i swear(never tried in my life, but smell is unmistakable)

TheTeaFairy

Of that one yes, cause I wasn’t sure. More of the others. 100g BRR, 50g Honey Orchid.

Did you try some of their other oolongs?

boychik

so far only Bei Dou Oolong and rice tuo

TheTeaFairy

Lol, I did read your note, but no, didn’t get that one.

boychik

I got TTL and Jing Tea Shop(JTS) same day. I like JTS a lot.

boychik

if they are going to do similar sale by New Year i will get some more for sure. Quality teas

TheTeaFairy

JTS? Don’t know that one….were they having a sale too?

boychik

http://www.jingteashop.com/
No sale, but not too expensive to try, ship only $5 and pretty fast. apt recommended me. Im impressed

boychik

sorry, ship is $5.9

TheTeaFairy

Lol, NOT that I need MORE tea, but will bookmark them…just in case, ya know.

pyarkaaloo

this sounds wonderful! since it’s on the greenish side, would you say it’s anything like a Pouchong?

boychik

Remember i told you i was secretly hoping to hate those teas. i really didnt want to brunch into new types. i like 25g option. you cannot really decided if its good or bad with 5g. what if you mess up(like i did today with Arbor Mist)

TheTeaFairy

Pyarkaaloo, It’s hard to answer cause this is NOT supposed to taste green! I’d say it’s a lot bolder than pouchong. It’s missing the buttery taste and it’s astringent, and pouchong is clearly not. But to me, it does taste almost as floral as baozhong pouchong. Lol, don’t know if what I just said helps, but that’s the best I could come up with :-)

TheTeaFairy

Yes boychik, that’s why I never order under 25g!! I want a second chance :-)

Lol, yes, who needs more tea addiction, right?

boychik

I feel like all flavored teas are dead for me.

TheTeaFairy

Oh my, me too!!! But I still bought some from butiki…the ONLY one.

apt

teafairy: you should definitely try JTS sometime in the future!

pyarkaaloo

thanku, TeaFairy! what you said makes perfect sense to me :) i’m familiar with the various oolongs & their characteristics but you are by far the expert!

The Pouchong i had was indeed light, buttery, gently floral & had a wonderful rice pudding note. could have been the coconut flavoring!

apt

I like Baozhong(Pouchong) for casual, western brews.

TheTeaFairy

Apt, I’m sure JTS is in my future :-) (sooner than later, sigh…)

Pyarkaaloo, FYI, this is the best baozhong pouchong I have ever had and the only one I keep in permanent stash:
http://www.tealux.ca/wenshan_baozhong_reserve?search_string=Wenshan

Marzipan

LTF that picture is magical.

Cameron B.

Aw man, this is floral? Sad face. XD

TheTeaFairy

Thank you Marzi, I think tea is one of the best subject for photography…

Cameron, this was not supposed to be such a floral though….will have to try it afain, I was very surprised myself.

boychik

Now I’m thinking should I try this sample or try Bai mu dan JTS. Oh decisions!

TheTeaFairy

Oh, please try this one!! Want to see if you get similar profil!!!

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Comments

boychik

I got 5g sample of this to try. dont really like flowery oolongs but who knows. maybe I will. love the setup as usual ;)

TheTeaFairy

Well, I can’t wait to see what you think! I feel I have a flower bomb in my mouth, wonder if it’s my tastebuds playing tricks on me! I was expecting a lot more toasted notes. The leaves are really beautiful.

Tomorrow, I’m trying their award winning Big Red Robe! Can’t wait.

boychik

whats the temp?195F?

TheTeaFairy

Well I followed instructions at 212, but will go lower next time.

boychik

all his instructions @212. its not right.

boychik

did you buy 25g?

boychik

did you get Bei Dou Oolong? Amazing. pure pot, i swear(never tried in my life, but smell is unmistakable)

TheTeaFairy

Of that one yes, cause I wasn’t sure. More of the others. 100g BRR, 50g Honey Orchid.

Did you try some of their other oolongs?

boychik

so far only Bei Dou Oolong and rice tuo

TheTeaFairy

Lol, I did read your note, but no, didn’t get that one.

boychik

I got TTL and Jing Tea Shop(JTS) same day. I like JTS a lot.

boychik

if they are going to do similar sale by New Year i will get some more for sure. Quality teas

TheTeaFairy

JTS? Don’t know that one….were they having a sale too?

boychik

http://www.jingteashop.com/
No sale, but not too expensive to try, ship only $5 and pretty fast. apt recommended me. Im impressed

boychik

sorry, ship is $5.9

TheTeaFairy

Lol, NOT that I need MORE tea, but will bookmark them…just in case, ya know.

pyarkaaloo

this sounds wonderful! since it’s on the greenish side, would you say it’s anything like a Pouchong?

boychik

Remember i told you i was secretly hoping to hate those teas. i really didnt want to brunch into new types. i like 25g option. you cannot really decided if its good or bad with 5g. what if you mess up(like i did today with Arbor Mist)

TheTeaFairy

Pyarkaaloo, It’s hard to answer cause this is NOT supposed to taste green! I’d say it’s a lot bolder than pouchong. It’s missing the buttery taste and it’s astringent, and pouchong is clearly not. But to me, it does taste almost as floral as baozhong pouchong. Lol, don’t know if what I just said helps, but that’s the best I could come up with :-)

TheTeaFairy

Yes boychik, that’s why I never order under 25g!! I want a second chance :-)

Lol, yes, who needs more tea addiction, right?

boychik

I feel like all flavored teas are dead for me.

TheTeaFairy

Oh my, me too!!! But I still bought some from butiki…the ONLY one.

apt

teafairy: you should definitely try JTS sometime in the future!

pyarkaaloo

thanku, TeaFairy! what you said makes perfect sense to me :) i’m familiar with the various oolongs & their characteristics but you are by far the expert!

The Pouchong i had was indeed light, buttery, gently floral & had a wonderful rice pudding note. could have been the coconut flavoring!

apt

I like Baozhong(Pouchong) for casual, western brews.

TheTeaFairy

Apt, I’m sure JTS is in my future :-) (sooner than later, sigh…)

Pyarkaaloo, FYI, this is the best baozhong pouchong I have ever had and the only one I keep in permanent stash:
http://www.tealux.ca/wenshan_baozhong_reserve?search_string=Wenshan

Marzipan

LTF that picture is magical.

Cameron B.

Aw man, this is floral? Sad face. XD

TheTeaFairy

Thank you Marzi, I think tea is one of the best subject for photography…

Cameron, this was not supposed to be such a floral though….will have to try it afain, I was very surprised myself.

boychik

Now I’m thinking should I try this sample or try Bai mu dan JTS. Oh decisions!

TheTeaFairy

Oh, please try this one!! Want to see if you get similar profil!!!

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Profile

Bio

I am French Canadian, so please forgive me if my English is not always perfect :-/

My relationship with tea in a nutshell:

I’m married to straight Black. I have torrid love affairs with Oolong and Puerh. I party with Green and White occasionally. Flavored are not my BFF, I usually stay away from them.

Love Steepster, a place for tea lovers, where you learn and share with others.

About me:

I am a free spirit, I let people be who they are and expect the same in return.

Books! I love classic literature, but also modern and pretty much anything that captures my attention.

Music is also something I can’t live without… From Bach to Nirvana, my ears know no boundaries…

Animal and nature lover, amateur photographer.

I’ve been drinking tea for as long as I can remember.

Drinking tea is a sensorial experience. The name in itself “Camellia Sinensis” lingers the promess of an adventure for the senses…

Not a big «swapper», but will occasionally. Not because I don’t want to share but because I’m trying not to hoard so much.

Also, I have narrowed down the teas I really like over the years, and I don’t feel the need to try and buy everything the way I used to. (Maybe I have become a tea snob? Sigh…)

My ratings: because I pretty much drink only teas that I judge exceptional, my ratings are usually high. Don’t be shocked to see lots of 90’s and a few 100’s. That’s because I’ve had my share of crapy teas and I’m done with that ;-)

You can find me on Instagram here, I post about my tea sessions mostly, but also about the beautiful nature that surrounds me, and my fury companions :-)

http://instagram.com/theteafairy/

Location

The Laurentians, Canada

Following These People

Moderator Tools

Mark as Spammer