Finally finishing up my sample of this – it’s surprisingly good for having spent several months in a clear plastic bag. Smooth, sweet, lightly grape-y. I can definitely taste the white tea base, which is impressive considering how little white tea I drink. I… might just have to buy more of this. Ooh, and apparently it’s on sale? $4/.8oz or $5.60/1.6oz This gets more and more tempting…
1.4g, 4oz water, 2 steeps so far
Some notes on ratings:
I’d have separate rating scales for tea types if that were possible (probably Black, Flavored Black, Darjeeling/Dark Oolong, White/Green/Light Oolong, and Herbal) because the flavors and quality markers are just too different. A flavored black rated 100 isn’t better than every oolong I’ve ever drunk, just delicious for a flavored black.
Ratings are a combination of my enjoyment and the perceived quality – I do often demote teas a few points for artificial flavorings, small quantity of steeps supported, or weakness of flavor (requiring extra leaf).
I pay less attention to the number than the order of my ratings; I don’t necessarily keep a stock of everything rated 80+, but if two breakfast blends are rated 82 and 84 I consistently enjoy the 84 more.
And in case it’s not obvious? I am not an expert. I don’t even know what I like until I taste it sometimes, but I’m ok with that :) I like learning to like new teas, as well as enjoying the comfort of familiar ones.
Boston, MA
