Category: Tea Reviews

Tea reviews and tea tastings

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Hwang Cha Gold Oxidized Korean Tea from Hankook Tea

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Hwang Cha Gold Oxidized Korean Tea is a partially oxidized and pan fired tea. This particular tea from Hankook Tea is a first flush Sejak and was hand harvested in April 2014. So is Hwang Cha Gold Oxidized Korean Tea an oolong? Black tea? Taste wise, I would lean towards an oolong – world of tea has a great article on Hwang Cha’s classifications according to how this tea is processed. Dry Leaf The dry leaf of Hwang Cha Gold Oxidized Korean Tea smells sooo good! This tea has a rich brown, almost black colour in delicate curled and twisted shapes. The smell is an… Continue reading, hoot!

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Korean Tea Cups from Hankook Tea

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I’ve been questing for Korean Tea cups with infusers for awhile now. Every time I see a character in a Korean Drama drink out of one I’m like “OOooh, pretty – I need one of those!” Annoyingly, these tea cups are a little hard to find and when you do find them, they are not cheap. Paying $30+ for a small tea cup makes me cry. Anyways, I saw on Hankook Teas‘ site, who sell Korean Teas (and ship from California!), that they have Korean tea cups! Even better is that they aren’t too pricey, some under $20. With that said,… Continue reading, hoot!

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Ailaoshan Black Tea from Whispering Pines Tea Co.

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Ailaoshan Black Tea is a 2014 harvest from the misty Ailao Mountain Nature Preserve in Yunnan China. This rich black tea is sold by Whispering Pines Tea Co, online tea seller based in Michigan. I had one of Whispering Pines Tea Co teas back in 2012 before I was tea blogging, Campfire Blend, and it was good. Then this tea seller slipped under my radar. I kept hearing more and more good things about their teas, so I decided to put in a small order to try Whispering Pines out again. They got lots of unique woodsy teas blended with pine needles and… Continue reading, hoot!

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Laoshan Roasted Oolong from Verdant Tea – Tea Review

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Laoshan Roasted Oolong is an oolong from the Laoshan Village in the Shandong Province of China. This particular oolong, if you are familiar with Verdant Teas, is from the He family tea farm. The oolong I’m tasting today is actually the 2013 harvest, but the 2014 is available for purchase at this time. I purchased Laoshan Roasted Oolong awhile back, yet it has been elusive to me. I keep moving it in my tea stash and when I felt like I was ready to try it I couldn’t find it – this happened at least 4 times. Today I was like, “Okay,… Continue reading, hoot!

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Mandala Tea “Heart of the Old Tree” 2012 Raw Pu’er – Tea Review

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I’ve been meaning to try this pu’er for awhile – Mandala Tea “Heart of the Old Tree” 2012 Raw Pu’er. This tea is a raw/sheng tea from Nan Mei Village, with material picked from 300+ year old trees. The name of this tea is interesting. Wild Monk, a big favorite of mine also from Mandala Tea, has that exotic feel to it. Old tree? I do like big old trees. Great artwork on the pu’er wrapper, I love the purple tint to the trees. The “Old tree” aspect of this tea attracted my moonkin, Boomy. He’s my amigurumi druid Owlbear so… Continue reading, hoot!

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Azores Teas from What-Cha

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Today I’ll be sampling two teas today – a green and a black from Gorreana Tea Estate, Sao Miguel Island, The Azores, the oldest tea estate in Europe. Both teas are from What-Cha, online tea seller. I had a classmate from the Azores who talked quite a bit about life there (and brought food from the portuegese bakery, yum!). I had no idea Azores had tea, but then Hawaii grows some awesome tea so I bet Azores would have great tea too. Tasting of What-Cha’s Azores Encosta de Bruma Premium Green Tea The dry leaf of Azores Encosta de Bruma Premium Green Tea… Continue reading, hoot!

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2002 White2tea White Whale Raw Pu’er – Oolong Owl Tea Review

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2002 White2tea White Whale raw pu’er is a 100 gram brick sold by White2Tea, online seller of quality pu’er based in Beijing. This pu’er cake is a steal! At the time I write this, $15 for a 100 gram brick (note, the price is going up in September 2014). Even for a 2012 raw pu’er 100 gram brick $15 is a good price. The story on this pu’er cake is White2Tea found it nice and aged in a corner, with no wrappers, in a pu’er warehouse – at a bargain – so we get this cake at a bargain too! 2002 White2tea White… Continue reading, hoot!

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Pu’er Breaking Tray – Oolong Owl Tea Ware Review

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Awhile back on Steepster, someone recommended a pu’er breaking tray. I’ve seen them all over Ebay and some online tea shops, but I was unsure if it was worth the $15 to $25 for one. I mean, its just a coaster looking thing. After some messy pu’er pickings, ripped up pu’er wrappers and Teal “pu’er pick” Owl stabbing me a few times by accident, I decided to keep my eye out for one at a decent price. I considered trying to find something with a similar shape and having my husband saw off the edge. With my last Mandala Tea order,… Continue reading, hoot!

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Singbulli Oolong Darjeeling from Single Origin Teas – Oolong Owl Tea Review

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Singbulli Oolong Darjeeling is an organic oolong from the Singbulli tea estate. This tea is sold by Single Origin Teas, online tea seller based in Texas. I’ve never had a Darjeeling Oolong so I’m quite excited to try this tea! Dry Leaf Wow beautiful tea! Singbulli Oolong Darjeeling looks close to an Oriental Beauty with colours of deep brown, silver, reddish brown and golds. Steeping Instructions I decided to go with my personal go-to western oolong steeping method for this tea – 190F for 2.5 minutes. The colour of Singbulli Oolong Darjeeling came out a clear deep gold with a light floral… Continue reading, hoot!

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Apricot Oolong from Sterling Tea – Oolong Owl Tea Review

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Apricot Oolong is blend of tea, dried peach & apricot pieces, and marigolds. This fruity tea blend is sold by Sterling Tea, online tea seller based in Texas. Little bit of confusion here – right on the box it says “Green Tea” but it also says Oolong. Green oolong? The website shows a different packaging which doesn’t mention green tea. I’m excited to try some fruity teas that are in season – oh man, I wish I had better access to peaches and apricots. I know they are in season now and ripe for canning! Anyways, lets have some tea! Dry Leaf… Continue reading, hoot!