White Monkey Paw

White tea
Margaret's Fine Imports

Area of Origin: China, Fujian Province, Wuyi Mountains

This tea came with Margaret's Level 2 tea class! If you haven't yet, search her on Groupon since she's usually offering 50% off class price.

An now, to the tea.



The dry tea smells marine at first, but on closer inspection, I notice a red fruit such as strawberry, or even honey. It has seaweed in the taste, similar to what I notice in Bilo Chun.

I make it iced, but I wouldn't recommend the cold brew. It's technically a white tea, but I can't help but think of it as green.

Nepalese Silver Tips (#62)

White tea
Nepali Tea Traders

I'm glad I waited to review a silver needle until this came from Nepali Tea Traders. Silver needle seems like a staple for tea lovers, so I've been looking forward to it!

Beautiful white downy hairs.

The liquor is light: white with a yellow hue that I was first inclined to describe as pink. The first sips have a delicate taste with a buttery mouthfeel.

The second infusion brings out sweetness in the aroma. This infusion does not have as much of the butteriness of the first. However, I first tried this tea at two 2-minute infusions, and the second time at a 3-minute and a 4-minute. Both experiences differed as far as how the flavor opened up. I'm pleased with the result.

Lovely in the gaiwan!

This sample was provided by Nepali Tea Traders.

I have another delicious tea from Nepali Tea Traders coming up: Sherpa Breakfast!

Garden of Eden tea review (#31)

Flavored green/white tea
Margaret's Fine Imports
www.pittsburghcuppa.com
$4.50/2 oz

Ingredients: China Sencha, Kukicha, Pai Mu Tan (80%), dragonfruit pieces (dragonfruit, sugar), lemongrass, flavoring, freeze-dried kiwi and raspberry pieces, pomegranate arils.

This is the dry tea you smell through your nose, exhale through your mouth, and repeat. The scent is absolutely heavenly with dragonfruit and kiwi. I don't know how it achieves this, but it smells somewhat peppery/spicy despite its light sweet fruit. The green and white teas in it are very delicate and light.

Amazingly delicious iced, with a gorgeous green color. It's good hot too, with such a light flavor it's barely there! I might add more tea next time I steep. But, it's soft like a white tea should be.

It's blended at Margaret's by an employee, which is really cool. She used pomegranate arils, how unusual!

This tea smells so good, I could eat it!

It really opens up in steeping.


Next time I'll review a classic.
 

Peach Momotaro Artisan tea review (#25)

Flavored white tea
TEAVANA
www.teavana.com
$18.98/2 oz

 
Ingredients: Floral white tea infusion, "soft peachy undertones."

I've never had blooming tea before! It's fun to try. The white tea and peach flavors are really light. Don't let the tea sit in the water too long, or it'll get bitter. It was nice to see it floating in the cup like seaweed while I drank it, though.

Before steeping.

Opening up slowly.

Pretty flower!

Next time I need to try it in this glass pot meant for blooming tea from Teaposy!

Come back for a very sophisticated tea, indeed.

What's your favorite flavor of blooming tea?

Highgarden Heaven Game of Thrones tea review

Flavored green and white tea
Margaret's Fine Imports
www.pittsburghcuppa.com
$4.99/2oz

Ingredients: Luxury green and white tea, rose petals, lavender, hibiscus.

It's Game of Thrones tea week during The 23 Teas of October!

This tea really is a breath of heaven. Light and floral like a brunch in Highgarden with Lady Olenna.

The rose petals and lavender complement each other well, and the white and green teas balance the strong flavors a bit. Warning, the lavender becomes more and more noticeable after having a good number of cups... fine for me since I love lavender. Highgarden Heaven tea is fantastic iced in the afternoon.

Hot: 2 min, 2 tsp tea, 8oz water
Iced: 20 sec, 3 tsp tea, 8oz water over ice

The bright pink and breathy lavender colors are gorgeous together.

I purchased some pure lavender from Margaret's to go along with it. Amazing color.

The lavender looks beautiful in this white tin by RIEH, purchased at Margaret's for only $2.35.

Bonus! You can use lavender in baking! Use the whole pieces and do not grind them up or it will get bitter. They can also be used in beautiful homemade soaps.

Come back tomorrow for a taste of the Westeros high seas.

(Win tea! Rules here http://allteanocrumpets.blogspot.com/2014/09/tea-giveaway.html)

Not everyone agrees on floral tastes in tea. Do you love it or can you just not stand it?