Thanks for the samples, Teavivre! This was a while ago that I received this, but I really didn’t want to go longer without writing a review. So this harvest is probably from last year. Just to give a warning that the flavor might not be the freshest. This steep session does taste like it did when I tried it a few months ago though. I must admit, this type of tea is not one I’d consider a favorite. I can never taste distinct flavors from these types of dark, wiry oolongs. The color of the brew is yellow, which is always an interesting contrast to those black leaves. The flavor isn’t strong enough for me. It’s very light, sweet with only hints of cream and minerals. For one sip, there was a moment of peach. In my limited experience with ‘phoenix’ oolong, the leaves usually have a hint of peach flavor. All three cups were very stable and consistent in flavor. When I drink tea, I’d really prefer more flavor. So this tea might not be for me, but I’m sure it’s for someone out there!
Steep #1 // half a sample pouch for a full mug// 20 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // 15 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #3 // few minutes after boiling // 3 minute steep
This is You :-D
Profile
Bio
Hi! I love tea and trying new ones – it adds a bit of variety to my day! Books, music, TV & movies are my thing… and tea, of course.
Some of my favorite tea shops (still operating):
birdandblendtea.com
teavivre.com
52teas.com
svtea.com
whisperingpinestea.com
justea.com
harney.com
Dammann Freres
fusionteas.com
shop.Javateaco.com
Lupicia
Octaviatea.com
Davidstea.com
eco-cha.com
what-cha.com
singleoriginteas.com
teasenz.com
tealyra.com
Mandalatea.com
verdanttea.com
Favorite tea shops (RIP):
butikiteas.com
steapshoppe.com
steepcityteas.com
aquartertotea.com
dellaterrateas.com
zentealife.com
angrytearoom.com
theteamerchant.net
joysteaspoon.com
tealiciousllc.com
Rivertea
Specialteas
My icon photo is Richard Mayhew from the graphic novel ‘Neverwhere’ by Neil Gaiman, Mike Carey & Glenn Fabry.
Most of the teas listed in my cupboard are actually sample sizes. I don’t really have 2,000 ounces of tea around here! Many of my teas have only one teaspoon left… maybe two. But I like keeping them in my cupboard list for reference to what I could be sipping. Usually, I write tasting notes once for each tea. I’m still drinking them, just not writing tasting notes each time!
I’m always in search of: Hattialli, Qu Hao black, Jin Jun Mei, teas using marshmallow root.
My dislikes: hibiscus, ginger (unless in chai), turmeric, bee pollen, charcoal type flavors
My ratings:
95-100 – Super awesome deliciousness favorites – cupboard essential
80-95 – Also pretty delicious
65-80 – Pretty good
50-65 – Okay
1-50 – Probably won’t want to sip it again
I’m planning on being a Steepsterer as long as there IS a Steepster, so if you’re not hearing from me, that means something happened to my health… if you know what I mean. (Or as evidenced by the great computer hiatus of 2019, something happened to my computer… I have a dumb phone so can’t access internet on that. As of 12/20/21 my wifi might start getting unreliable.)
Happy sipping!
Location
USA
