Tea Review: Vert du Vietnam (Tao of Tea)

Advent Tea Calendar Day 22

Vert du Vietnam
Tao of Tea
Type:  Green
Origin:  Vietnam, Thai Nguyen
Product Description:  Tea has been growing in northern Vietnam for over 2000 years. The hilly terrain and ideal tea-growing climate are home to some of the oldest varietals in existence. Teas made from these plants have a character all their own. They are as distinctive and elegant as Vietnamese culture itself.

Thai Nguyen Tea
For the purist, unscented green tea from the mountains of Thai Nguyen is considered the best choice for savoring the intricacies of Vietnamese tea. The soil and climate of this region are ideal for producing a flavorful, aromatic brew.

Temperature: 175° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 2 minutes

The dry leaves have an aroma of sweet oats, fragrant wood, and a hint of brown sugar.

The golden infusion has a lightly salty broth-like aroma with notes of dried grass.  The taste is woody and green with mild astringency and a long green finish.

This is a tea that I will enjoy tasting several more times while trying out different temperatures and steeping times to discover the changes in flavor and aroma.  Two steepings provided equally flavorful results.

Tea Review: Smoked Earl Grey (Tao of Tea)

Advent Tea Calendar Day 19

Smoked Earl Grey
Tao of Tea
Type: Flavored Black
Origin: China, Fujian Province & India, Nilgiri
Product Description:  A blend of organic Indian black tea from Nilgiri infused with natural bergamot essence and organic smoked tea from Fujian Province in China. The smoked tea is better known as Lapsang Souchong in China.  Pairs well with sweet and spicy foods.

Temperature: 208° F

Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 3 minutes

The dry leaves have an aroma of pine smoke and bergamot.

The infusion is bright red with an aroma of pine smoke and bergamot.  The taste is slightly sweet with bold notes of pine smoke and bergamot and a long smoky and lightly citrus finish.

While this tea could take milk, I would recommend enjoying it without.  This blend of Earl Grey and Lapsang Souchong has a full body and round cup that are most satisfying.  The aroma of wood smoke and citrus also remind me of the winter holidays.

This tea was purchased by me.

Tao of Tea Leaf Room

The Tao of Tea Leaf Room is located in Portland on SE Belmont Street between SE 34th Avenue and SE 35th Avenue and right next door to the original Tao of Tea.

The Leaf Room has an impressive selection of tea ware and supplies on display and available for sale.

They also offer a large selection of approximately 300 organic teas, herbals, and tisanes.

Tea tastings are offered regularly and you can find a schedule for upcoming tasting events on the Tao of Tea Facebook page.

While many of the teas are packaged and ready to go, you may want to stop at the tea bar to look through their impressive menu of loose leaf teas that can be purchased by weight.  The staff are friendly and knowledgeable and will help you discover a new favorite for yourself or the perfect tea gift for someone else.

If you've finished restocking your tea cabinet at the Leaf Room and you find yourself hungry or simply can't wait to get home to have a cup of tea, be sure to stop next door at the Tao of Tea.

Directions:
3430 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR 97214

Hours:
11:00am-7:00pm Monday-Sunday

Tao of Tea

The Tao of Tea tea room on Belmont Street is temporarily closed. (12/2021)

Tao of Tea is located in Portland on SE Belmont Street between SE 34th Avenue and SE 35th Avenue.

Once inside the door, you'll find a daily tea recommendation.  Beyond the entry, guests have their pick of any of the plentiful seating, including a choice spot right next to the indoor waterfall. 

The decor is rustic and exotic, with the walls lined with tea ware and teas. 

The menu includes a variety of intriguing and delicious vegetarian offerings as well as a wide selection of loose leaf teas. Thanks to their location next door to the Tao of Tea Leaf Room, they're unlikely to run out of any of the teas on the menu unless it's limited stock and out of season.

Tea is served in your preferred style from a cup to a bowl for matcha, a bombilla for yerba mate, and more. You may also enjoy a gaiwan or gongfu tea service.

 

For my visit, I chose the Heaven's Lake green tea with gaiwan tea service.  I also couldn't pass up their mixed vegetable dumplings and paneer with ginger.  The spicy dishes went surprisingly well with the savory green tea.

If you want to restock your tea cabinet and perhaps discover a new tea treasure, be sure to visit the Tao of Tea Leaf Room next door!  Thanks to the great service and impressive selection selection of teas, I'm looking forward to many return visits!

Address:
3430 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR 97214

Hours:
11:00am-10:00pm Monday-Saturday
11:00am-9:00pm Sunday