Anyone Try Black Dragon Pearls?

[skywarrior]

What did you think? I just ordered some:

http://www.adagio.com/black/black_drago ... be201d25d5

[Chip]

I just received a gift sample of these curious pearls. They are MUCH bigger than the Jasmine Dragon Pearls, etc. I smelled them dry so far, smells pretty robust. Generally Yunnan blacks are not my fave black, but these sound a bit different than standard Yunnan blacks.

I actually want to weigh one of them to see what one actually weighs. I am not sure if they are rolled like Dragon Pearl or compressed like a mini, mini tou cha.

[Victoria]

Sounds good to me! Hopefully I have a sample coming soon!
I'll report back.

[Riene]

Please do post reviews! I'm wanting to try them as well, but a new tea order just isn't in the budget for a while.

[Chip]

Weighed a bunch of them, thay average between 1.1 and 1.2 grams each, So 2 of them would be an English style brew. I will likely try 3 pearls first time since I seem most comfy between English and Gong Fu style brewing of blacks.

I really like the aroma of the dry pearls.

[skywarrior]

I really like the aroma of the dry pearls.

Let me know how they are. I'm unlikely to get them until sometime next week because I'm heading out to (appropriately enough) Dragon*con in Atlanta next weekend. So no black dragon pearls for me until next weekend.

[kymidwife]

I have only had Black Dragon Pearls from Teavana, and they were actually very good.

http://www.teavana.com/The-Teas/New-Tea ... ck-Tea.axd
I will be interested to see how the Adagio version compares.

[Chip]

Might throw some in water tomorrow. I am pretty curious about them.

[skywarrior]

I have only had Black Dragon Pearls from Teavana, and they were actually very good.

http://www.teavana.com/The-Teas/New-Tea ... ck-Tea.axd
I will be interested to see how the Adagio version compares.

Wow! $30 for 4 oz at teavana? 5 oz costs me $19 at Adagio. Good price if the same tea. It looks like the same tea.

[Ritva]

Also Dragon Teahouse sells Dian Hong (= Yunnan Black) Pearls, 17.99 USD for 100 g/3.5 oz (free shipping)
http://cgi.ebay.com/Dian-Hong-Pearl-Han ... .m14.l1262
I haven't tried, but they look good.

[kymidwife]

I have only had Black Dragon Pearls from Teavana, and they were actually very good.

http://www.teavana.com/The-Teas/New-Tea ... ck-Tea.axd
I will be interested to see how the Adagio version compares.

Wow! $30 for 4 oz at teavana? 5 oz costs me $19 at Adagio. Good price if the same tea. It looks like the same tea.

Yep that's why I never repurchased it. Some of Teavana's teas are actually very good if not laced with perfumes and such, and this is one of them... but their prices are just ridiculous. I got 2 oz. one time on a lark, but I never repurchased. Such is the case with most of my tea purchases from them.

And I agree, it looks almost identical. That's why I'm looking forward to comparing the taste. I suspect Adagio's version will be a much better value.

Sarah

[Chip]

OK, tried 2 steeps so far today. 4 pearls which is around 4.6 grams or so, 200 ml (7 ounces) water.

I think I brewed the first steep a bit long with this much leaf per water ratio. It was distinctly Yunnan black, which is not my fave black. But it was pretty good, but I don't think I quite nailed it.

The second steep however was very nice indeed, not sure of the subtleties since I was a rushed today, but there was clearly a sweet honey like thing going on.

I will try a few more steeps later of the same leaves.

Still, it is a fun tea with the big pearls ...

[skywarrior]

OK, tried 2 steeps so far today. 4 pearls which is around 4.6 grams or so, 200 ml (7 ounces) water.

I think I brewed the first steep a bit long with this much leaf per water ratio. It was distinctly Yunnan black, which is not my fave black. But it was pretty good, but I don't think I quite nailed it.

That seems like a small amount of water for that many pearls, if the pearls are as big as I think they are. One of the issues I have with black teas is using too much tea for the steep. Inevitably I have to cut the steep with more boiling water to get the right subtle flavors.

I know you're primarily a green guy and I wonder if this tea doesn't do well for gong-fu type drinking. Nevertheless, if you're getting a honey flavor out of it, it sounds like it's pretty darn cool. I can't wait to get mine!

[Victoria]

I tried it this morning, delicious!! I really enjoyed it.
I brewed it English style in my 16oz glass Bodum pot.
I used 8 pearls. I did do a flash rinse. Then 3 min steep.
It was perfect. Loved it!

[Intuit]

High quality Yunnan black tea, known for it's complex and aromatic cup.
Check.

Hand/machine rolled for slow-release?
Check.

This is a tea you want to test for best tea/leaf ratio because of the novel leaf format. Eastern style multiple steeping is probably a Good Idea.

I'm starting to explore the better Yunnan blacks, after drinking off-putting lesser grades in the past. This is on my list to try.