Tea Review Tuesday - A Review of Teavivre's Chun Mei Green Tea

Having been forewarned by the description that this tea had a slightly bitter taste, I prepared myself for something akin to a slightly-oversteeped black tea-astringency. On the contrary, I found that this tea was nothing like that.

Preparing a small, two-cup teapot of this Chun Mei, I noticed the sweet, grassy smell that wafted up from the packaging. The pale yellow-ish tea that resulted from the steeping yielded these same characteristics - sweet, yet grassy. The bitterness was there, but it was more akin to eating a slightly bitter herb, where the bitterness is almost an afterthought. It does not at all ruin the tasting of this tea but, rather, keeps it complex, to a degree. 

Teavivre's Chun Mei is a great tea to try, especially for those who enjoy lighter greens, such as Dragonwell. On my personal enjoyment scale, I would rate this tea a 3.

This review was unsolicited and uncompensated.
You can read more about my Personal Enjoyment Scale, here.
Text is copyright 2016, Built from Ink and Tea.

Stained Fingers on Thursday - A Review of Diamine Maroon Ink

This scan was done on an HP Deskjet F4280 at 600dpi.
Note: Because these scans are done with a light emitting printer, actual colors will, more likely than not, be slightly darker than they may appear, here. The colors shown, here, are probably a bit more reminiscent of what the ink would be like under a bright light or if it were held up and viewed with a light behind it.

Tea Review Tuesday - A Review of Teavivre's Taiwan Ginseng (Lan Gui Ren) Oolong Tea

I discovered ginseng-covered oolongs a number years ago, and I have always enjoyed the strange sweetness that comes with their "alerting" properties. As I sit outside, watching the sunrise (sadly over other houses, not over the mountains), I breath in the ginseng powder aroma and wait for the water to boil. As I am at a location other than my home, I do not have an electric kettle here, instead opting for a stovetop whistling tea kettle to prepare my hot water. Setting out my travel gaiwan set, I glance up as the sun breaches the horizon. Rinsing the leaves, the rinse water is discarded into the lawn, and I briefly smile at how much easier it is to drink tea outside, where anything may be disposed naturally.

My first steeping is for a mere thirty seconds, yet I feel that it captures the essence of this tea quite well, albeit weakly. The flavor of the ginseng has already begun to release itself from the oolong leaves. The smell is sweet, with a touch of the buttery essence of some oolongs. The flavor, too, is sweet, a bit weak, but refreshing, nonetheless.

Steeping number two brings out more oolong flavor, as the initial intensity of the ginseng has been diminished. The flavor is a bit darker, not quite so sweet, yet the leaves have only now begun to fully open, leaving much room for evolution.

In the third steeping (all have been for thirty seconds), I notice now that the ginseng and oolong flavors are blending together well. One can see that the oolong leaves have all but unraveled themselves, releasing their flavors. The diminished sweet taste is reminiscent of light honey or, perhaps, agave nectar. It is quite pleasant.

After the fourth steeping, I place all of the leaves in a large mug and pour hot water over them to leave them for an extended steep. The fourth steeping itself is wonderfully smooth, as though it has at last matured. This was quite tasty, and it seems the sunrise has been overwhelmed by rain clouds. On my personal enjoyment scale, I would rate this tea a 3.




This review was unsolicited and uncompensated.
You can read more about my Personal Enjoyment Scale, here.
Text is copyright 2016, Built from Ink and Tea.

Stained Fingers on Thursday - A Review of Diamine Cerise Ink

This scan was done on an HP Deskjet F4280 at 600dpi.
Note: Because these scans are done with a light emitting printer, actual colors will, more likely than not, be slightly darker than they may appear, here. The colors shown, here, are probably a bit more reminiscent of what the ink would be like under a bright light or if it were held up and viewed with a light behind it.

Tea Review Tuesday - A Review of Upton Tea Imports' Baker Street Afternoon Blend Black Tea

When I first read the packaging on this tea, I noticed that the recommended amount of tea per cup of water was "1+ tsp." In numerous past tea reviews, I have mentioned how much I liked being able to steep strong cups of tea that are not bitter. From the moment I read that, I knew this was going to be intense and a delight to drink.

I began by boiling water and steeping two teaspoons of Baker Street Afternoon Blend in twelve ounces of water for four minutes. The combination of that much tea and the time was probably pushing into risky territory for this blend of Keemun, Darjeeling, and Lapsang Souchong. While my tea steeped, I smelled the dry leaves in their package. Though Upton said that there is just "a bit" of Lapsang Souchong, the smoky aromas rolled heavily from the package to meet my nostrils. Even just a bit was enough to overwhelm any scents from the Keemun or Darjeeling, both of which are rather light teas. I am hoping they show themselves in the flavor.

The aromas rising from the steeped cup embody anything but mellowed. Strong and solid black tea flavors have risen to accompany the Lapsang Souchong, and this is one smooth cup. The Keemun and Darjeeling have built a solid, smooth, and light-flavored foundation upon which the smokiness of the Lapsang Souchong stands. However, that smokiness surprisingly does not overwhelm the other flavors. I can very distinctly taste the almost-green and light notes of the Darjeeling, and the Keemun settles as a really nice backdrop to the Lapsang Souchong.

I really enjoy Lapsang Souchong, yet I know that the flavors can be overwhelming for some folks. I highly recommend giving this blend a try, both for lovers of Lapsang Souchong and also for those who might be a bit more apprehensive about jumping straight into the full smokiness. For me personally, Baker Street Afternoon Blend provides fresh character to a favorite set of flavors. On my personal enjoyment scale, I would rate this black tea a 5.




Photo credit to Built from Ink and Tea.
Upton Tea Imports' Baker Street Afternoon Blend is available from their website, here.
This review was unsolicited and uncompensated.
You can read more about my Personal Enjoyment Scale, here.
Text is copyright 2016, Built from Ink and Tea.

Stained Fingers on Thursday - A Review of Diamine Passion Red Ink

This scan was done on an HP Deskjet F4280 at 600dpi.
Note: Because these scans are done with a light emitting printer, actual colors will, more likely than not, be slightly darker than they may appear, here. The colors shown, here, are probably a bit more reminiscent of what the ink would be like under a bright light or if it were held up and viewed with a light behind it.

Tea Review Tuesday - A Review of Upton Tea Imports' Bond Street English Breakfast Blend Black Tea

It has been quite some time, since I last reviewed a really straightforward black tea, and this one has been awaiting my sampling for even longer. Today, it stood out and the malty promise of the Assam in the blend seemed exactly what I wanted to drink.

I began by boiling water, then steeping one and a half teaspoons of Bond Street in twelve ounces of water for three minutes. When the water grew dark within the first thirty seconds, I wondered briefly if I was going to oversteep the tea, using Upton's recommended time, but I should not have worried. Smelling the dry leaves, as my tea steeped, the sweet-sharpness of Ceylon hits my nose, first. On the back end of the aroma, malty Assam makes itself known. I found that blend of smells to be very interesting, as each is quite distinctive from the other.

The aromas that rise from the steeped cup are rich and malty, reminiscent of a cocoa without any sweetness to it. (Plus, it is not cocoa-scented, the attributes are merely similar.) One sip and the brisk flavors of Ceylon flood the tongue, chased by malty, deep Assam notes that grow more prominent as I swallow. Despite some brisk-bitterness, the liquor is quite smooth and goes down easily. The two teas in the blend have been really well balanced. I can see how this tea might easily be oversteeped, so I recommend to be careful in preparing it.

On my personal enjoyment scale, I would rate Bond Street a 4. I am certainly going to enjoy drinking the rest of this tea.

Photo credit to Built from Ink and Tea.
Upton Tea Imports' Bond Street English Breakfast Blend is available from their website, here.
This review was unsolicited and uncompensated.
You can read more about my Personal Enjoyment Scale, here.
Text is copyright 2016, Built from Ink and Tea.

Stained Fingers on Thursday - A Review of Diamine Majestic Blue Ink

This scan was done on an HP Deskjet F4280 at 600dpi.
Note: Because these scans are done with a light emitting printer, actual colors will, more likely than not, be slightly darker than they may appear, here. The colors shown, here, are probably a bit more reminiscent of what the ink would be like under a bright light or if it were held up and viewed with a light behind it.

Tea Review Tuesday - A Review of Siciliano's Market's Black Currant Black Tea

Following my review of their Mayan Chocolate black tea, I wanted to share another review of a tea from Siciliano's Market. The market is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan and sells a wide variety of homebrew supplies, beer, wine, coffee, and tea.

This week, I decided to taste Siciliano's Market's Black Currant. This black tea, flavored with black currants, gives-off a sharp, sweet smell from the container. The fruity aroma was very, very intense. I steeped a teaspoon and a half of this tea in twelve ounces of just-boiled water for three minutes. The steep time seemed to be spot-on, and I feel that any longer would have brought-out some undesired astringency.

The aroma of the prepared cup has subdued from the intensity of the dry leaf. The black currant still stands strong, but now the black tea base is more noticeable (whereas before it was nearly overpowered). Sipping, I like how easily the fruit flavor slides across the tongue. Surprisingly, the sweetness is there, but the strength of it is nothing like what I imagined from smelling the dry tea before I brewed it. It does not taste intensely sweet. In fact, I would even go so far as to call the sweetness rather subdued. This seems to allow for the melding of the tea and fruit in a nice harmony. While the fruit flavor begins sweet, it finishes with a sweetness tinged with bitter notes, reminiscent of actual berries.

Overall, Black Currant provided a satisfactory cup that tasted fairly different than a lot of the teas I have recently been drinking. I certainly found it worthwhile to try. On my personal enjoyment scale, I would rate it a 3. 


Photo credit to Built from Ink and Tea.
Siciliano's Market's Black Currant black tea is available at their store in Grand Rapids, Michigan. You can find more information about their store from their website, here.
This review was unsolicited and uncompensated.
You can read more about my Personal Enjoyment Scale, here.
Text is copyright 2016, Built from Ink and Tea.

An Update to My Whispering Pines Evergreen Spice Review

Back when I had written about refining my personal enjoyment scale, a reader had asked me, if I planned to retroactively apply the new scale to past tea reviews. While I responded that I did not, and at this time I still do not (at least planned), I wanted to share some feelings that I had this past weekend.

I stood in my kitchen, brewing myself a pot of tea. I had been desiring something refreshing, cooling, and flavorful, yet not fruity. Whispering Pines Tea's Evergreen Spice Oolong was chosen for the occasion, and it was with pleasure that I started it steeping, using the last of the package that I had.

As I watched the tea brew, the leaves releasing their delicious flavors, I contemplated Evergreen Spice, which I had reviewed, here. I did not recall what I had rated it, but I felt saddened that the container was empty. Referencing my new personal enjoyment scale, this would have given Evergreen Spice at lease a 4. And yet, I felt more strongly about it than just a 4. This seemed to be a tea that I always wanted to have on hand, whether to enjoy alone or share with others. For that reason, on my new personal enjoyment scale, I would rate Whispering Pines Tea's Evergreen Spice Oolong a 5. The enjoyment I received from drinking it and experiencing all it had to offer was something I want to have again and again.




My prior review of Evergreen Spice can be found, here.
Whispering Pines Tea's Evergreen Spice is available from their website, here.
This review was unsolicited and uncompensated.
Text is copyright 2016, Built from Ink and Tea.