Tea Review: Chiran (SerendipiTea)

Advent Tea Calendar Day 24

Chiran
SerendipiTea
Type: Black
Origin: Japan, Kagoshima Prefecture
Product Description:  UNIQUE! From the land revered for its superb Green Tea offerings, this Black Tea from the Chiran region of Kagoshima Prefecture is a true find. Grade 2 is made using second flush leaves from three types of Japanese cultivars (Yabukita, Kanayamidori & Fujimidori). Various Japanese greens are made from these same tea trees. The liquor of this tea has refreshing reddish color, the taste is mildly sweet.

Temperature: 208° F

Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 3 minutes

The dry leaves have a savory aroma of dry wood and sweet grains.

The orange amber liquor has an aroma of roasted vegetables, string beans, a hint of citrus, and a hint of carmelized sugar.  The taste is earthy with a mineral quality and brothy with notes of roasted vegetables and a long dry finish.

Though black teas are usually best at just one infusion, I was able to get two very good infusions with a third that was weaker but still enjoyable and had taken on a much sweeter aroma.  This was a pleasantly complex and brothy tea.

This tea was provided as a free sample without guarantee of a review.

Tea Review: Da Hong Pao (SerendipiTea)

Advent Tea Calendar Day 14

Wuyi Da Hong Pao/Big Red Robe
SerendipiTea
Type: Oolong
Origin: China, Fujian Province

Product Description: Da Hong Pao (Big Red Robe) Oolong is one of the famous Rock Teas of Fujian Province, so called due to the mystical, rocky terrain in the Wuyi Mountains where the tea plants grow. Full bodied & smooth, this medium-oxidized Spring tea begins with floral notes & deepens into a fruity sweetness which lingers in the throat & on the back of one's tongue. The large, hand-twisted leaves of deep greenish-brown steep to beautiful golden liquor. Although not charcoal finished as are the most costly of Rock Teas, this Da Hong Pao will not disappoint. Be sure to prepare several cups, each will reveal surprising new flavors.

Temperature: 195° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 3 minutes

The dry leaves have a smoky, savory aroma with notes of cumin and kombu (dried kelp).

The golden infusion has a smoky aroma of roasted vegetables and a hint of brown sugar.  The flavor is smoky, with elements of roasted vegetable and baked squash.

As expected with oolongs and Da Hong Pao specifically, this tea produces a fine flavor and aroma with changing characteristics through several infusions.  While the first infusion was the most bold, I favored the slightly milder second infusion.

Tea Review: Water Sprite (SerendipiTea)

Advent Tea Calendar Day 11

Water Sprite (Wuyi Shui Xian)
SerendipiTea
Type:  Oolong
Origin:  China, Fujian Province
Product Description:  One of the famous Rock Teas of this mystical region, so called due to the rocky terrain in the Wuyi Mountains of Fujian Province. This dark oxidized Oolong, due to heavy roasting, introduces itself with deep, smoky aroma. Caramelized undertones mellow into delicate floral notes & lingering sweetness. The large, twisted leaves of deep greenish brown color are pan-fired then dried. Although not charcoal finished as are the most costly of Rock Teas, this Water Sprite will not disappoint. Be sure to prepare several cups, each will reveal surprising new flavors.

Temperature:  195° F
Amount:  3 grams
Steeping Time:  1-2 minutes

The dry leaves have an aroma of salty broth and smoky tobacco.

The golden infusion has a smoky, roasted vegetable aroma.  The flavor is roasted green and mineral with a long finish.

A first infusion at only one minute produced a satisfying broth-like flavor and aroma with a light color in the cup.  I steeped the leaves at two minutes for the second infusion, producing  a darker liquor and a richer flavor and aroma that I found most pleasing.  A third infusion was lighter in aroma and flavor, but still quite nice.  The leaves hadn't entirely unfurled, so there may have been a couple more worthwhile infusions to look forward to.

Tea Review: Cocoa Power (SerendipiTea)

Advent Tea Calendar Day 9

Cocoa Power
SerendipiTea
Type:  Flavored Puerh & Rooibos
Origin:  Not Provided
Product Description:  Deep & earthy ~ an antioxidant powerhouse with just a hint of sweetness

Temperature:  208° F
Amount:  3 grams
Steeping Time:  4 minutes

The blend includes cacao beans, cacao powder, chocolate bits, natural chocolate flavor, natural cream flavor, puerh, rooibos, natural vanilla flavor, and white chocolate bits.

The infusion is opaque orange-brown with an aroma of chocolate, citrus, vanilla, and nuts.  The flavor is chocolaty and fruity with a hint of earthiness.

I enjoyed the first infusion at 4 minutes and believe it would do well at 212° F.  I don't recommend a second steeping as most of the flavor has washed away, though some of the earthiness of the puerh does remain.

This tea was provided as a free sample without guarantee of a review.

Tea Review: Genesis (SerendipiTea)

Advent Tea Calendar Day 4

Genesis
SerendipiTea
Type:  Flavored Green
Origin:  China
Product Description:  The apple is viewed in certain cultures as an offering of hospitality, the mango seen as a fruit of virility & Organic green tea is known for health. A winning recipe.

Temperature:  175° F
Amount:  3 grams
Steeping Time:  3 minutes

The dry leaves are blended with apple, mango, hibiscus, and rose hips.

The infusion has the color of pink grapefruit.  The aroma is fruity, as expected, with sweet apple, floral, and berry notes.  The flavor is fruity and a little tart with very little sweetness.

This tea was most flavorful and well-balanced with a refreshing, light finish.  The flavors really came out at 175° F, though I enjoyed the milder, less tart results at 195° F.