Review: Tie Luo Han

I found this treasure in Langassetee and it was love at first....bite...or something. There are no words for my obsession for this tea. Well, maybe there are some words....

Tie Luo Han, Taiwan [Blue-Green Oolong, woody] ***** $$$

Other names: Wu Yi Rock Tea

Fresh, fragrant like a garden after the spring rain...this tea is like the more charming younger brother of DaHongPao. The small packet I bought as a special treat practically drank itself, its woodyness is typical of this kind of oolong but there are dark chocolate notes in the fragrance that are just marvelous.

Similar teas: DaHongPao, Thyiolo Oolong, Fancy Oolong

Review: Buddha Hand

Buddha Hand, China [Blue-Green, Floral] *** $$

Other Names: Fo shou

I'm sure this is a close relative of DaHongPao and I just love this family! Sweet to the taste with an ever so slightly woody finish. Gimme More!

Simliar teas: DaHongPao, WuYi

Review: Bai Mu Tan

Bai mu Tan Superior China [White, Floral] *** $$

Other Names: Pai Mu Dan, Bai Mu Dan

The leaves dont give much smell, slightly grassy if anything but I find the smell of this tea exremely comforting....almost milky. Light floral taste with smooth, sweet finish.

Simliar teas: Satemwa antlers

Review: Pu'erh Shan by Langassetee,

Pu'erh Shan, China [Fermented, Tannic] *** $$

Other Names:

Clove, pepper...there's something spicy going on in these leaves, that makes it seem like its food and not tea. Beautiful golden colour brew but packs an unexpected heavy taste, which might turn off some folks, it feels like it should be a much darker tea. 

I think I like it, but I'm not quite sure...however I do generally need to be in the mood for pu'erh.

Simliar teas: ?

Review: White Needle

White Needle, China [White, Floral] *** $$

Other Names:白 毫 银 针,Baihao Yinzhen or Bai Hao Yin Zhen, white hair silver needle,  

Heavier colour than Bai Mu Dan and somewhere between its taste and that of Silver Needle teas. A bit like a version of Bai Mu Dan where the astringency and creaminess have been turned up a notch.

Simliar teas: Bai Mu Dan

Review: Xin Yang Mao Jian by Langassetee

Xin Yang Mao Jian, China [Green, Grassy] ** $$$    - Langassetee, CH

Other Names: 信阳毛尖  , Xin Yang Fur Tip, Maojiang, Mountain Tippy Tea

Higher quality versions of this tea are called Yu Qian Tea
Origin: Henan, China

This was the wochentee in Langassetee when i went there so I thought i'd give it a whirl. Pleasant enough tea with a slight floral smell but a taste more along the Longjing than the Guan Yin teas. No complaints with this tea, but it didn't excite me.

Similar teas: Chun Mee (but its nowhere near as good as Xin)

Review: Kaschmir Tea by Dogan & Acer

Kaschmir Tee , India [Black] *** $$$          - Dogan & Acer, AT

A lingering light black tea in a similar vein to Napal Malum from the same teashop, although this one has a sweetish aftertaste which finishes into a faint smokey lingering finish so its reminiscent of the heavier typical Indian teas. I bought these two as I was missing the Rwandan bag tea which is lighter than your average irish or UK tea.

Similiar teas: Nepal Malum, Darjeeling, Nilgiri, Rabs

Review: Te Guan Yin, Cloud Mist

Once Kenny in the tea shop in San Francisco had determined that I liked Te Guan Yin, we set about trying a lot of different types of Te Guan Yin and also various oolongs. I decided to treat myself to a small quantity of this very high quality Te Guan Yin. It wasnt the most expensive variety but i liked this one better than the rest.

Te Guan Yin Cloud Mist, China [Green, Floral] **** $$$$$ - Vital leaf Tea , USA

Other Names: 铁观音, Cloud Mist Iron Goddess
Origin: Anxi, Fuijan, China

First Brew: Very light flavour and very pale green colour. The smell is a little floral but I would also say vaguely of potatoes boiling. The taste is a little silky.

Second Brew: The silky quality develops a little more and the colour is noticable green

Similiar teas: Green Oolongs in general, floral chinese teas