Tea Review: Red Dawn (Encore Chocolates & Teas)

Red Dawn 

Encore Chocolates & Teas and TeaSource
Type: Black
Origin: China, Fujian Province, Anxi County, Luo Yan Village
Product Description:

This black tea has a full and vibrant mouthfeel with savory, earthy flavors that will stay with you from dawn till dusk.  Red Dawn is made by Mr. Lin Rui Fu in Luo Yan village, Anxi county, Fujian province.

 Temperature: 208° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 3 minutes

The dry leaf aroma has notes of dried fruits, wood, whole grains, and citrus.

The bright orange infusion has an aroma of apricot, dark bread, nuts, and caramel.  The taste is sweet and savory, with a smooth mouthfeel and notes of nuts, stone fruit (I noted apricot), and a hint of caramel.  

The first infusion was almost tart, immediately giving way to sweet and savory notes with no notable astringency. While the first infusion was the most flavorful, the development in flavor and aroma with subsequent infusions was very enjoyable.  

This tea was purchased by me.

Tea Review: Dark Hunan (Encore Chocolates & Teas)

Dark Hunan
Encore Chocolates & Teas
Type: Heicha
Origin: China, Hunan Province
Product Description: Not provided.

Temperature: 208° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 3 minutes

The dry leaves have an aroma of dried fruit, wood, smoke, and moss.

The orange amber infusion has an earthy aroma with notes of warm fruit and something unusual that reminds me of both baking bread and yogurt.  The taste is mild and earthy with notes of black pepper and a hint of sweetness.  

The liquor became cloudy and the aroma bolder in the second infusion, mellowing slightly by the third.  

This tea was purchased by me.

Tea Review: Montana Gold (Encore Chocolates & Teas)

Montana Gold
Encore Chocolates & Teas
Type: Herbal
Origin: Not provided
Product Description: Not provided.

Temperature: 208° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 5 minutes

The dry leaf blend contains rooibos, cinnamon, orange peel, and cloves.

The copper red infusion has a bold aroma of cinnamon, cloves, and a faint note of citrus.  The taste is sweet with bold notes of cinnamon and hints of clove, citrus, and vanilla, with an invigorating cinnamon finish.

The full flavor, which reminded me of Red Hots or Cinnamon Imperials (childhood favorite candies), is at its best in the first infusion, so re-steeping isn't worthwhile.  Though I measured by weight for the purpose of the tea review, the spices make up much of the weight, so I would recommend measuring by the teaspoon for best results. 

This tea was purchased by me.

Encore Chocolates & Teas

Encore Chocolates & Teas has been serving Olympia for three years and is located in a gorgeous space downtown on 5th Avenue SE between Capitol Way S and Washington Street SE.

The entrance opens up on a beautiful atrium with a Tea Bar and seating.

To the left of the atrium is the entrance to the tea shop.

The staff at Encore Chocolates & Teas are friendly and knowledgeable.  If you're lucky enough to visit when the owner is on-site, you are in for a treat.  He can tell you the story behind each of your tea and chocolate selections.  

Free samples of prepared teas are available near the entrance to kick off your shopping adventure.

The left side of Encore Chocolates & Teas is dedicated to tea and teaware.  They offer a selection of over 200 teas, including an impressive variety of  high-grade, direct-source, and single-origin teas.  

In addition to pre-packaged teas, Encore's Interactive Tea Wall offers samples of most of the available teas to see and smell.  Each sample jar lists a minimum purchase weight, which is generally two ounces with some exceptions as low as one ounce.  

Take a handy tea slip and pencil to write down the number of each tea you want and the amount in ounces, give the slip to one of the staff, and they'll present you with your beautifully packaged tea.  

The right side of Encore Chocolates & Teas is dedicated to chocolate.  Here, you'll find a wide variety of high quality, fair trade, and single-source chocolates, as well as an impressive selection of caramels.

Before leaving, don't forget to visit the Encore Tea Bar which serves 210 teas, hot chocolate, spiced apple cider, and local pastries.  I sampled their sipping chocolate which was divine and got a to-go cup of the Encore 8 Chai for the drive home.

Address:
116 5th Ave SE, Olympia, WA 98501

Hours:
11:00am to 5:30pm