90

I’ve come back to this one pretty frequently. I have tried several new teas, but I have mostly done western style and had little time to write about them. This one’s comforting rich and earthy/nutty profile is great for the cold spring weather in Michigan. We had snow just a few days ago despite being April. I am glad the gamble on this one paid off because it’s one of my more reliably morning and afternoon teas on the weekends.

Since I’m feeling kinda lazy and have limited time, I’m going to summarize a few of the other teas I’ve tried lately. Magic Hour subscribers are getting Tarot themed teas that are mostly herbals, but they are pretty decently blended and have some cool flavors here and there. I don’t drink them often because herbals are much harder to clean up than regular tea leaves. They are nice to have around, with Magician being my favorite so far.

I also got Liquid Proust oolongs that are green. He is selling winter Shanlinxi and Lishans that are dense with flavor and very good for a reasonable price. I tried the Wang Qin Yun Shanlinxi gong fu today after a few attempts, and it’s honestly very finnicky. It’s complex in its rinse having honey, pear, butter, magnolia, and a little bit of nuttiness, then it gets muddled by chrysantemum and magnolia in the longer brews. It also needs more leaves for flavor, so I personally find standard 15 sec increments and more best for it instead of the rinse 55, 45, 55 recommendation.

I very rarely gong fu anymore because I’m so busy lately. Teaching 3 subjects at atime for all high school grades has been an adjustment during a semester school year instead of a trimester school year. Granted, I’ve taught them all before, but I’ve been focused more on filling in the time with I have making tweaks instead of full fledged improvements the way I wanted to. I’ve got mostly good groups to teach, so that’s made it a little easier. To try to get things ready and up to date along with managing a chess/Dungeons and Dragons club combo twice a week, my work week tends to range from 50-60 hours. I know most people on here probably work 60-80 so I should not complain, and I’m not. I just want more time for tea and working out.

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Bio

First Off, Current Targets:

Whispering Pines Alice
Good Luxurious Work Teas
Wang Family’s Jasmine Shanlinxi
Spring, Winter Taiwan High Mountain Oolongs

Dislikes: Heavy Tannin, Astringency, Bitterness, or Fake Flavor, Overly herby herbal or aged teas

Picky with: Higher Oxidation Oolongs, Red Oolongs (Some I love, others give me headaches or are almost too sweet), Mint Teas

Currently, my stash is overflowing. Among my favorites are What-Cha’s Lishan Black, Amber Gaba Oolong, Lishan Oolong, Qilan Oolong, White Rhino, Kenya Silver Needle, Tong Mu Lapsang Black (Unsmoked); Whispering Pines Alice, Taiwanese Assam, Wang’s Shanlinxi, Cuifeng, Dayuling, Jasmine Shan Lin Xi; Beautiful Taiwan Tea Co.“Old Style” Dong Ding, Mandala Milk Oolong; Paru’s Milk Oolong

Me:

I am an MSU graduate, and current alternative ed. high school social studies and history teacher. I formerly minored in anthropology, and I love Egyptian and classical history. I love to read, write, draw, paint, sculpt, fence(with a sword), practice calisthenics on rings, lift weights, workout, relax, and drink a cuppa tea…or twenty.

I’ve been drinking green and black teas ever since I was little living in Hawaii. Eastern Asian influence was prominent with my friends and where I grew up, so I’ve been exposed to some tea culture at a young age. I’ve come a long way since I began on steepster and now drink most teas gong fu, especially oolong. Any tea that is naturally creamy, fruity, or sweet without a lot of added flavoring ranks as a must have for me. I also love black teas and dark oolongs with the elusive “cocoa” note. My favorites are lighter Earl Greys, some white teas like What-Cha’s Kenyan offerings, most Hong-Cha’s, darker Darjeelings, almost anything from Nepal, Green Shan Lin Xi’s, and Greener Dong Dings. I’m in the process of trying Alishan’s. I also tend to really enjoy Yunnan Black or Red teas and white teas. I’m pickier with other teas like chamomile, green teas, and Masalas among several.

I used to give ratings, but now I only rate teas that have a strong impression on me. If I really like it, I’ll write it down.

I’ll enjoy a tea almost no matter what, even if the purpose is more medicinal, for it is my truest vice and addiction.

Location

Michigan, USA

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