Tea Reviews | It's All About The Leaf

Posts Tagged ‘Surprise’

The chance to try this tea is something very special. Unfortunately, despite how special it was, I am not honestly sure which of Canton Tea Co’ Pu’erhs this tea is. “Canton Beeng Cha” is all that the label says, and from my limited knowledge of Chinese, I know that a “Beeng” or bing is a round cake of pu’erh. “Cha” is merely “tea.” That being said, I can be sure that this is a pu’erh!

I begin this session of tea by bringing some water to a boil, after which I rise my gaiwan, small pot, and teacup to preheat them. It is pretty amazing how much of a difference preheating ones teaware can make on the taste of the tea that follows. Next, I measure out about one teaspoon of this tea into my gaiwan. I typically use more than this for gong fu brewing (quick and multiple infusions), which is what the directions on the label seem to imply, but for now we will merely follow along. I perform a quick rinse of the leaves with hot water to “open” them.

The dry leaves have a very vegetal aroma, suggesting a raw pu’erh. Yet there is an underlying smokiness and clear, fresh smell to them as well. The first 20 second infusion is performed. The wet leaves smell more malty now, yet still slightly vegetal. Much to my surprise, the tea brews a very pale green. This is very interesting, and not at all what I was expecting. This first infusion carries a very thin flavor. It is clear and fresh, with a smooth, vegetal aftertaste. As per the instructions, I go ahead and resteep the leaves, figuring that it will be different in the second infusion.

Mmm, this tea really kicks it in gear with the second infusion. The vegetal pu’erh flavor floods the taste buds. It is incredibly smooth and just slides over the tongue. I am truly impressed. I put it through several more steepings, and this tea just keeps on impressing. Normally, I prefer cooked pu’erhs to raw pu’erhs, but with a tea like this, I can hardly afford to be biased. I would give this tea an 87/100 on my personal enjoyment scale.

You can purchase the 2010 Xing Hai Raw Beeng Cha directly from the Canton Tea Co. website.

To be a white tea fan, one must generally appreciate tea that whispers, not shouts. Most white tea is subtle and only hints at having a flavor. Thus, Coconut Vanilla Flavored white is a pleasant surprise to a drinker of louder, bolder flavored teas. It doesn’t exactly shout but it speaks audibly, firmly, and pleasantly!

The dry tea is beautiful–big, long-legged leaves, complemented by white coconut shavings and tiny rosebuds—and would be lovely in an apothecary jar. Its aroma is smooth and sweet, not greenish or grassish.

But don’t spend too much time with your nose in the dry mix–get on with making yourself a cup, because you’re in for a treat. The steeped tea is pale, but don’t let the color fool you. It’s velvety-thick and every bit as coconutty sweet as “advertised” in by dry aroma: very, very similar in character to white chocolate cocoa.

The quality pai mu dan leaves take a second steep well. A good thing: you’ll want seconds!

You can purchase the Jasmine Green Tea directly from the TeaFrog website.

I have had AWESOME luck with Canton Tea Company’s teas!  I have enjoyed MANY and this one certainly followed suit!  It’s Creamy, Tangy, and a little semi-sweet grassy type taste. Light and Clean. Sometimes I think the creamy and tangy seem to contradict each other but in this tea they work really well together!  It was a pleasant surprise!  I love the fact that it’s a semi-sweet grassy type taste because I don’t think the stereotypical grassy-grass taste would work with this tea.  It’s just the right amount of sweet.   Having said all of that – this tea IS very Light and Clean.  The clean taste goes on to the aftertaste and it’s just delightful!

You can purchase the Anji Bai Cha directly from the Canton Tea Co. website – Save 10% right now when you use the code IIATL at checkout!.

We all have a ton of different travel coffee mugs in our cupboards, each bought with certain standard expectations.  Short ones, fat ones, tall ones, double walled, you name it.   They usually work ok.  Good for the commute to work, keeping your morning coffee warm for an hour or so. They aren’t truly meant for sitting for longer periods or for really cold activities.

I have spent a lot of money on travel mugs that make big promises and rarely deliver, until now.  My wonderful husband (actually my 2 little boys who know my love of all things tea) bought me 2 of these for Christmas this year and they are by far my favorite useful gift.

I decided to do a little experiment to see just how long the liquid stays warm for.  I boiled water, put in white tea, positioned the strainer and placed both tops on it.   I used the bag it comes in as well.  That was 4:10 in the afternoon.  I tested the tea at 11pm and it was still 120 degree’s, more then warm enough, I left it in the tea in the cup for the night and tested it again in the morning and to my complete surprise, it was still 95 degrees.   That was 16 hours and it was still warm, seriously!  I’ve never come across any other travel mug that has come close to this.

It is now a staple for my daily tea enjoyment, regardless if I am home all day or out and about traveling.    When I know I am going out all day, I will make both travel mug’s and simply tighten the lid on the 2nd to enjoy it much later in the day, tasting as if I had just made it.  I now  get to savor my tea, all warm and comforting all day long!

You can purchase the JOEmo XL Tea Travel Mug directly from the TeaFrog website.