Utopia Tea, Earl Grey

This is the second sample provide by Utopia Tea for review The ingredients listed on the sample label are organic Ceylon black tea and oil of bergamot.

Upon opening the pouch the air was filled with a nice citrusy aroma of the dry leaf. I scooped out the tea to get a good look at the dry leaf. The picture is obviously an extreme close up. The leaf is actually very small pieces or CTC. I know from past experience this is not necessarily an indicator of poor quality. It is actually pretty typical of black tea.

I put a healthy scoop of the leaf in my press and poured in 12oz of boiling water. I steeped for 3 minutes. The resulting liquor is a golden root beer colored. The wet leaf smells dark, heavy, and lightly smoked. I wasn’t expecting smoked.

The sip is interesting. Not nearly as bergamot in the taste as the dry scent suggests. The Ceylon is lightly smoked and that is the first and last thing I notice, but not in a bad way. In the middle of the sip the bergamot gives a hardy citrus blast.

The taste of the bergamot is similar to Ahmad Earl Grey, though maybe not as perfumey and not nearly as intense. This is actual oil of bergamot as opposed to flavoring. The steeped leaf is small pieces similar sized to Ahmad which is slightly larger than Twinings leaf.

The tea base is not like either of the two teas I’ve mentioned in comparison. Ahmad’s base is strong and can get bitter if over-steeped. Twinings’ is pretty low key but very forgiving. This one is bold but not bitter. The light smoked aspect adds something unique and exciting to the cup.

I steeped 2 cups with the leaf. The second is less smoky. It is still a very delicious cup.

This is different in a good way. I like the interaction between the tea base and the bergamot. It made for a nice start to my day. Good job Utopia Tea.

Utopia Tea, Jasmine Green

From Utopia Tea's web site, "Jasmine Green tea leaves have a soft aromatic finish that is infused with delicate jasmine petals. This is a sweet cup that is slightly toasted."

This is my first taste of Utopia Tea. It is one of three samples that were furnished for review. This is also the first jasmine tea I have tasted, other than flowering teas, with jasmine petals mixed in with the tea leaf. The green tea leaf is comprised of small pieces.

I used a scoop of leaf for 12 oz of water per the instructions. I did not use the brewing instructions for the water temperature. It called for boiling water. That just sounds way too hot for green tea. I used much cooler water and a 2 minute steep in my press.

The leaf after brewing smells lightly of jasmine. The brew is light amber/green. The sip is at first creamy, then lightly jasmine. The green tea is in the background. This is a very mellow cup of tea. Utopia says the tea is lightly roasted. I could not detect this element in the cup. Honestly, I can only barely catch the green tea. The jasmine is not overdone. It is quite nice. Wonderfully floral with a touch of honeysuckle.

I used to believe I hated jasmine tea. What I have learned is I just didn't like the artificial flavoring of cheap bagged jasmine. This is a very nice natural tasting jasmine.

I enjoyed two steeps from this leaf. I think Jasmine Green will appeal especially to those who aren't ordinarily fans of green tea. This is a nice cup. 

Paisley Tea Co, Organic English Breakfast

From the Paisley website, "If you want a proper cuppa', this tea hits the spot. As a specialised blend of Indian and African teas, our Organic English Breakfast Tea is traditional, but approachable. We love it in the morning with a splash of milk."

Paisley Tea Co. is a new tea company and an offshoot of two leaves and a bud. According to the two leaves press release the goal in creating Paisley tea is “to offer premium quality tea that isn’t often seen in the world of affordable everyday tea.”

These are English style tea bags. I'll not go over the packaging here but if you are interested in knowing more read my review of Paisley's Double Earl Grey.

I'll be honest with you here. I was not all that excited about trying this tea. My experience with English Breakfast tea, bagged or loose, has been rather limited. I once described this type tea as beige. Nothing particularly wrong with it but nothing memorable either. Paisley has succeeded in changing my mind. I am guessing it is the use of African tea in the blend.

I used boiling water and steeped for approximately 3 minutes. The cup was rich, dark, and highly aromatic. Most English Breakfast teas I’ve tried taste like, well, tea. This is sweet and woodsy. It is not bitter. Instead of the typical bite I normally associate with this breakfast teas, it is surprisingly smooth.

I added a splash of milk and some Splenda. It took both in stride. It didn't change the flavor as much as enhanced it. This is a really nice cup that I can see the Everyday Tea Drinker enjoying often.

Thank you Paisley Tea Co. for sharing your tea with me. Nicely done!

Vist the Organic English Breakfast webpage.

Paisley Tea Co, Organic Double Earl Grey

It’s the 4th of July and that seems like an appropriate time to review an English style tea. Hopefully it doesn’t end with anyone throwing tea in the harbor.

I was recently contacted by two leaves and a bud and offered the opportunity to review their new line of tea – Paisley Tea Co. According to the two leaves press release the goal in creating Paisley tea is “to offer premium quality tea that isn’t often seen in the world of affordable everyday tea.” Here at the Everyday Tea Blog, I do on occasion get to test some pretty high dollar teas but the real inspiration and motivation for my writing is to point out the best in everyday affordable tea. If Paisley lives up to its press release, this will be a perfect match up. So let’s get started.

The box is simple but attractive. The contents are 24 English style tea bags (no strings or tags). Most boxes of tea in my experience have 20 bags, so you are getting 20% more bags here. Each bag contains 10% more tea, @ 2.2g, than most American tea bags, @ 2g. Paisley tea is certified organic and fair trade. It also says it is gluten-free, vegan, and Kosher. 

I do have one complaint with the packaging. Inside the box is a sealed bag containing the tea bags. The bag has a paisley print on it, which looks cool, but once opened it can’t be resealed. While I prefer Twinings individually wrapped bags, I understand that is a bit wasteful (though it keeps the bags fresh for years). Lipton at the other extreme makes no attempt at protecting the freshness once the outer wrap is removed, so this is leaps and bounds above that packaging. I guess my desire would be to see this with a resealable zip lock type bag similar to the Prince of Peace tea I have used in the past.

I used one bag in my cup and poured fresh boiling water over it. The cup turned dark quickly. I let it steep for 3 minutes. There are no brewing instructions on the box, but I am not certain how important that is as most bag drinkers have their own set method of preparing their cup of black tea. 

This makes a bold cup of strong tea. It’s basic and good. It is not bitter. It does have some astringency to it, meaning it has bite (a good thing) and it gives you a bit of a dry mouth feel. This is typical of most English style teas and is why many people add a splash of milk to their cup. I did not find that necessary.

Ok, this is Earl Grey so lets get to the important stuff – the bergamot! This is labeled as Double Earl Grey, which made a little nervous. Double means different things to different people. I was concerned this was going to be an in your face overdone cup. Let me assure you, that is not the case here. The taste of the bergamot and the tea base are pretty evenly blended. That is actually kind of rare. For comparison purposes - Harney and Sons Earl Grey Supreme, is very light on the bergamot, as it is mostly about the taste of the base tea (it’s also expensive compared to this tea). Twinings Earl Grey is bright and citrusy with the tea taste less prominant. If you find Twinings to be a bit too much of a good thing but you don’t want to have to analyze the cup too realize it is an Earl Grey, then Paisley Earl Gey is a good fit for you.

I found this on Amazon and the price was very reasonable. Two leaves know what they are doing and I wish them well with this affordable Everyday Tea.

Visit the Organic Double Earl Grey webpage.

Fong Mong Tea, Organic High Mt. Oolong

This is the fifth and final of my samples provided by Fong Mong Tea Shop. I have mentioned in every review how much I like their packaging. The sample comes in a heavy duty pouch that is vacuum packed and includes an oxygen absorber in the envelope to further protect the freshness of the leaf. The one shortcoming on their samples is the label. It does not include steeping directions.

This was a two day tasting. The first day was disastrous because I used too hot of water. I am going to record my thoughts here to make a point. Steeping time and temperature does make a difference. If a tea does not suit you the first time you try it, change how you are preparing it and have another go at it.

Day One
I chose to use my own steeping parameters rather than look theirs up online. 3 grams of the oolong nuggets and 12oz of boiling water for 2 1/2 minutes in my press. The leaf is partially unfurled with some of it dancing on the surface and some remaining on the bottom. The coloring was very light. I pour and sniff the leaf. It is dark and roasted. Then I sniff the cup. It is highly floral. I love the sweet smell of Taiwan oolongs. There is such a contrast between the brew and the leaf.

Taking a sip - I think I messed this up. I should have used cooler water. The taste is just off. There are some floral notes and some roasted but then there is this whole other thing going on that I am not liking. It is sour and a bit like gym socks meets pool chemicals. On the plus side it is quite milky and has a long lasting floral aftertaste.

On the second cup I used cooler water (heavy steam) and a 4 minute steep. The leaf is mostly unfurled and dark green. While steeping it stood up on the bottom like plants growing in an aquarium. That always amuses me. The taste is much improved. Lighter, more flavorful, and more importantly more balanced. The roasted taste, while light, is a bit too ash like for me. The flavor definitely makes me think flowers. At first I was thinking orchid. Then I started picturing globe amaranth. The problem is I am not a globe amaranth fan.

Day two
I used the remainder of the sample – approximately 3 grams – in my press with just steaming water and only used a two minute steep. I wanted to make sure I hadn’t scorched the leaf yesterday using boiling water or simply over steeped. The liquor is golden amber with a green tint and is clear – no floating dust or debris. The wet leaf smells of ash. The cup, which has taken on an orange tint is floral scented.

Ok, the moment of truth. The sip is a bit mineral tasting and milky up front which gives way roasted notes late in the sip. The aftertaste is floral leaving a cooling sensation on the breath. The overall taste is a bit thin but not offensive. As this cools the smoky roasted taste comes out more and fattens up the flavor. Now it is a nice cup.

The second cup at three minutes is the best cup yet. It is like toasted rice along a floral taste that reminds me of the rind of watermelon.

I am really glad I pursued this tea a second day. Yesterday my attitude was sorry Fong Mong. I loved the other samples I reviewed, especially the Sun Moon Lake, and the Blue Jade., but this one just isn’t for me. Today I am thinking, this is a pleasant cup of tea. Thank you Fong Mong Tea for allowing me to sample and review your teas.

Teavivre, Taiwan Jin Xuan Milk Oolong Tea (flavored)

This is the last tea to be reviewed of my lastest samples from Teavivre. This has been an amazing company to review. Their samples are overly generous and I have loved almost every one of their teas. Those I didn’t love, I liked a lot. All of them have been top notch and I do not hesitate to recommend them to anyone. Ok, on to the review.

I have been anxious to try this one for some time. Today it finally made its way to the front of the line. The moment I opened the bag I started thinking Honey Nut Cheerios. To me that is exactly what the dry leaf smells like. The tiny little nuggets are green and tan, suggesting leaves and buds. I looked on the label to verify it and my guess is correct. I found this to be a hard tea to judge how much leaf to use for a mug. Leaf like Dragonwell is so large that you have to eyeball it in your pot. Oolong is just the opposite. It is wrapped so tightly that you have to use less than seems correct because it highly expands when steeped. I used what I think is about 3 grams (roughly a level spoonful). Using 12oz of boiling water, this steeped for 2 1/2 minutes in my press.

The liquor is light green with excellent clarity. The leaf was hanging from the surface. The cup smells of dusty hay. The leaf smells of steamed veggies. The nuggets have expanded into a large amount of leaf and stems. Some research indicates this is normal for Taiwan oolongs.

The first sip without additives gives the impression of warm buttery milk and cereal. Sweet and grainy with a note of vanilla. It is also just the slightest bit salty. I am also picking up a light smoke and notes of hay. There is a tiny amount of bitterness. As with the other Taiwan oolongs I have tried lately, I am getting a neat cooling sensation on my breath. I am really enjoying this. I could enjoy this cup without additives. That rarely happens.

Out of curiosity lets see what this does with some sweetener added. I added one packet of Splenda. Interesting. This knocks the edge off the bitterness (which was not bad in the first place), and diminishes the saltiness. The milk, smoke, and grain are all accentuated.

Second cup steeped at two minutes, is nearly identical to the first, except I am not noticing the vanilla notes and this is more milk than buttery. Still very good flavor.

As I am about to pour the water for the third cup, I notice the extraordinary amount of leaf in the press. Note to self, you can get by with less than you think. This tea would never work in a tea ball. I steeped for 2 minutes. The leaf is hanging throughout the liquor. It is like looking through an underwater jungle. There is so much of it I did not push the plunger all the way down as I did not want to squeeze the leaf (that releases tannins that cause bitterness).

This is still a really good cup. I do not catch any smoke in this now, instead I am getting the floral notes associated with Alishan oolongs. I can also taste vanilla again in the aftertaste. So good.

Fourth cup was steeped at 4 minutes. The floral notes disappear while it is hot and are replaced with warm earthy tones. They return as the cup cools. It is still milky as well. I believe this will steep more but I will have to stop for the day.

Final words – Simply put, I love this tea.

Teavivre, Taiwan Ginseng (Lau Gui Ren) Oolong Tea

This sample was provided by Teavivre. The tea originates from Dong Ding Mountain. I opened the generous bag and poured out a spoonful of leaf to examine. This looks like little pieces of volcanic rock covered by moss or maybe petrified tea pebbles. It is dark gray/green and rough textured as if it is painted rocks. I am going on about it because it is really different. The scent at first makes me think peppery. Of course it’s really the ginseng. It also has notes of oats or some kind of grain.

I brought 12oz of water to a roiling boil and poured into my press with about 4g (one good spoon) of nuggets. I steeped for two minutes. When the timer went off some of the leaf was dancing on the surface and some was on the bottom. None of it was completely unfurled. Interesting, there is a light roasted aroma coming out of the press – this wasn’t even hinted at in the scent of the dry leaf. The brew looked golden with a light green tint, in the press. Once poured it became a light orange in the cup.

As the cup sits to cool a bit, the smell of ginseng keeps catching my attention. It is beginning to make me nervous. Is this going to be an overdone flavor extremophile?

I take a sip and must admit I am confused, in a good way. The ginseng is mainly present at the front of the sip, then fades only to return at the end of the sip and is felt at the back of the mouth and throat. It is done with balance. It leaves the mouth with a wonderful cooling sensation. The roasted smell of the wet leaf is a very subdued hint in mid sip. Given that this is from Dong Ding mountain, I was expecting heavy oolong floral notes. Instead this tastes closer to a green tea but not bright and grassy or floral. The best I can do to describe this is it is like a lightly roasted green tea and grain soaked in milk with some ginseng sprinkled on top.

The second cup, also at 2 minutes, is darker. The wet leaf smells like steak. Mmmm steak. This cup is tastier to me. The roastiness  comes out more and the ginseng is less pronounced. The sweet floral notes I was expecting are now in the aftertaste taste. A good cuppa. Not that they taste the same but it reminds me of Gurman’s Pepper Mango green tea.

Cup 3 is back to being orange in color and is weaker in flavor but still pretty good.

I highly like this. I can’t say I love it at the moment. More tastings are required. I am fascinated by how different it is from my expectations.