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A Spring Sencha, a 'Greenbush', and a rather lovely Indian in Week 12
This famous Chinese Tea is from the province of Anhui. Wonderful large wiry leaves produce an aromatic tea with a full sweet taste. It is these needle shaped green and silver leaves that are used in the making of the wonderful ‘Peony’ or ‘Urchin’ arrangements, the leaves tied together with silk in the form of a rosette, which slowly opens up in warm water. Traditionally Lu Mu Dan Tea is picked under strict harvesting conditions that help retain its rarity and value for tea connoisseurs and collectors. I made this at... Read more...
Dragons, Phoenixes,and Mad Dogs on Week 11 of my #yearoftea
Oolongs are semi-fermented and most come from Taiwan. This is a Jin Xuan Milk Oolong from Fujian in China. It's a handmade tea so has a certain rarity to it. The leaves are first withered, then heated in milk steam. They're then hand-rolled then dried gently. Steeped for 3 minutes at 75°c it has much more character than the colour of the brew would indicate. It actually tastes creamy and a little 'hazelnutty'. I loved it and while it would probably be a touch too indulgent to drink daily, I... Read more...
The World's Most Expensive Porcelain Cup
The precious Chinese porcelain cup, also known as the “chicken cup” among art collectors, is decorated on both sides with a rooster, a hen and chicks walking amidst lilies and roses. This cup is representative of the height of the Chenghua Style in Chinese Art. The particularity of this style can be found in the paintwork, which is applied in several layers and which allows the cup to be dated between 1465 and 1487. There are only 17 known specimens worldwide, four of which are privately owned, the rest can... Read more...
Sparrow's Tongues, SCOBY, and Sweet Cherries on Week 10.
No 65 takes me to one of my favourite tea-growers: the Rukeri Cooperative in Rwanda produce this lovely organic and fairly traded F.O.P. The long leaves produce a dark russet brew which is strong, but not so much that it feels like a battle (more a good-natured tussle?) Like all Rwandan tea it's rich, nutty and a little biscuity. It works equally well both with and without milk (although it really benefits from a much shorter steep time if you're taking it black) I used 100°c and steeped for 2.5... Read more...
A flagrantly fragrant week...
 Week 9 Day 58 in ‪#‎yearoftea is a Maghrebi Tea which is a blend of Moroccan Spearmint and Chinese Gunpowder (rolled green tea). Usually taken for it's calming effect and it's improvement on digestion, although I know people who have it as a 'go to ' tea. I think it could be good with a white rum in the manner of a Mojito. **trundles off to do some research** A fabulously fragrant Formosa Orange Blossom Oolong is the 59th‪#‎teaoftheday Oolongs are semi-fermented and this one is flavoured with orange peel and flowers. I've... Read more...
Two tea gifts, a lovely tisane, and a heck of mess in the kitchen
Week 8 Year of tea Day 50 I've been way too buzzy the last couple of days so a decaff was the way to go. This is a Decaffeinated Chinese Sencha. In the Japanese-style, these leaves are steamed before drying which keeps more of the goodness in. It makes a bright and tangy brew with very little astringency. Because of the High Pressure Extraction process used for decaffeination, there's no 'orrible aftertaste either. ? I'm a very lucky girl. Today's ‪#‎teaoftheday is a gift from the lovely Estelle Liu. It's a black tea... Read more...
You've really spoiled me on week 7 Mr Ambassador..
Week 7 Year of tea Because I've been very good and because it's Friday and because quite frankly, I'm worth it; Day 43 in my ‪#‎yearoftea is a cracker. A Choicest Fancy Silver Tip Oolong. The picture is of a 2nd infusion though I actually had 4 Infusions (greedy or stingy?) I love oolongs anyway but this one is exceptional. Aromatic and naturally sweet, it manages to be simultaneously fruity and nutty - a lovely elegant cuppa. Day 44 and I'm drinking a Kekecha Golden Dragon Yellow Tea. A rarity which is... Read more...
European Tea and the obligatory Matcha Week 6 in Year of Tea
Week 6 Year of Tea So Day 36 is Azores Encosta de Bruma Premium Organic Green Tea. Because of the geography (in the middle of the Atlantic) this is a bit of ararity. In terms of taste, it's very like an oolong - delicate but with lots of 'layers'. Initially biscuity with a really floral finish. No.37 is an organic Keemun Imperial. A sturdy black tea from Anhui province. All Keemuns have quite a distinctive flavour - very malty with a slight floral taste. They always put me in mind... Read more...
Herbs, Hyson Green and Rhubarb Year of Tea Week 5
Week 5 Year of Tea Day 29 As it's Friday, I thought I'd treat myself to one of my favourites..Bangladesh Phulbari. With or without milk it's a winner with so many layers of taste. Really rich and biscuity,this is the top grade available from Moulvibazar to the Northeast of Dhaka and is a traditional English breakfast, morning cup of strong British Tea.   Day 30:I know I'm being a little previous but couldn't wait any longer to sup some Sweetheart Tea - it's a blend of scented and flavoured black... Read more...
Year of tea Week 4 Wild Cherry, Heather, Liquorice
Week 4 Year of Tea Day 22: It's my 22nd ‪#‎teaoftheday in my ‪#‎yearoftea and what a beauty! It's a Nepal Antu Valley SFTGFOP1 AKA Special Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe Grade1 it's a rarity because this is a green tea and usually you only get black tea from Nepal. It's got a brisk grassy taste without too much astringency. Nice... Day 23: I LOVE tea and I LOVE Liquorice so drinking Liquorice Tea for my‪#‎teaoftheday No.23 seemed like a fine idea. Now I'm not a big fan of flavoured teas so maybe I'm... Read more...
Week 3 Best Seller, Budget Tea, and Blue Lady
Crikey I'm slacking! Lovely lovely Assam for Day 15. So new it isn't even on the website yet. Nothing 'special' just a really good 'Autumn Blend' which has been such a joy to drink all day. Good body with a wonderful smooth aftertaste. Day 16: Pai Mu Tan Organic White Peony - this is hands down our best selling tea. I'd forgotten just how much I like it - it's incredibly clean with an almost buttery aftertaste. Because I'm stingy I also rate the value for money - this is... Read more...
Week 2 Year of Tea: Multiple Monkeys, Twig Tea, Dong Ding and Popcorn Tea
 Day 8: Well Day 8 in my ‪#‎yearoftea has brought me to the land where it all began - a Chinese Golden Monkey is ‪#‎teaoftheday To be honest the milk does it no favours so I've necked it and just waiting for the second infusion which I'll take au naturel (no, that doesn't mean nekkid) Day 9: Well better late than never here's No 9 in ‪#‎yearoftea it's a White Monkey Green Tea. One story goes that it's so named because it's picked by monkeys because the trees are inaccessible. It's a good story but I'm... Read more...