Having had a bit more time to take all these teas in, here are some more impressions.
I find myself more and more picking up the green teas as first choice, particularly the Japanese ones, though the Chinese one is quite lovely too. The green teas have a really delicate sweetness that I find so pleasing.
The black teas have been a mixed affair. I had gotten a first and second flush from a single estate - Thurbo, but I'm not keen on either. There is a kind of bitter licorice flavour common to both, which I guess must be typical of the estate. It doesn't do it for me.
On the other hand, a second flush from Phuguri is just stellar. Sweet, malty, almost floral/fruity. In fact it was only the Thurbo I haven't liked. The Maragaret's Hope first flush was also quite nice, as were the Chinese black teas.
The Pu Erh, I've already spoken about. I like.
The white tea flower, I found to my dismay, actually has some sort of flower at it center, so I remain unclear as to how much of what I was tasting was due to the tea, and how much due to the flower. It was pleasantly sweet, without having an abundant flavour, I think I will have to revisit white tea at a later point.
I never found the Oolong, perhaps I didn't buy it after all.
The Rooibos and Lapacho I also enjoyed. The rooibos reminded me of Strawberry jelly (Jell-O), having a viscosity, and faintly sweet, berry like aromas. The Lapacho, kind of butterscotch-like, took a long steep though.
Speaking of tisanes (I guess that's what they are called). Not sure how many tea-people know of Cascara. It is a tea made from dried coffee cherries. It's quite lovely, sweet, reminiscent of dates/figs/raisins. A seriously big caffeine kick too.
Here's a video showing it:
http://vimeo.com/2161915
I find myself more and more picking up the green teas as first choice, particularly the Japanese ones, though the Chinese one is quite lovely too. The green teas have a really delicate sweetness that I find so pleasing.
The black teas have been a mixed affair. I had gotten a first and second flush from a single estate - Thurbo, but I'm not keen on either. There is a kind of bitter licorice flavour common to both, which I guess must be typical of the estate. It doesn't do it for me.
On the other hand, a second flush from Phuguri is just stellar. Sweet, malty, almost floral/fruity. In fact it was only the Thurbo I haven't liked. The Maragaret's Hope first flush was also quite nice, as were the Chinese black teas.
The Pu Erh, I've already spoken about. I like.
The white tea flower, I found to my dismay, actually has some sort of flower at it center, so I remain unclear as to how much of what I was tasting was due to the tea, and how much due to the flower. It was pleasantly sweet, without having an abundant flavour, I think I will have to revisit white tea at a later point.
I never found the Oolong, perhaps I didn't buy it after all.
The Rooibos and Lapacho I also enjoyed. The rooibos reminded me of Strawberry jelly (Jell-O), having a viscosity, and faintly sweet, berry like aromas. The Lapacho, kind of butterscotch-like, took a long steep though.
Speaking of tisanes (I guess that's what they are called). Not sure how many tea-people know of Cascara. It is a tea made from dried coffee cherries. It's quite lovely, sweet, reminiscent of dates/figs/raisins. A seriously big caffeine kick too.
Here's a video showing it:
http://vimeo.com/2161915
May 26th, '09, 09:41
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Is it a Tisane?syscrusher wrote:
Speaking of tisanes (I guess that's what they are called). Not sure how many tea-people know of Cascara. It is a tea made from dried coffee cherries. It's quite lovely, sweet, reminiscent of dates/figs/raisins. A seriously big caffeine kick too.
Here's a video showing it:
http://vimeo.com/2161915
Perhaps this should be posted under the 'Other Tea' forum, TeaChatters have been wondering for a while what to post there!
Best wishes from Cheshire
+1 on the green teasyscrusher wrote: I find myself more and more picking up the green teas as first choice,
Speaking of tisanes (I guess that's what they are called). Not sure how many tea-people know of Cascara. It is a tea made from dried coffee cherries. It's quite lovely, sweet, reminiscent of dates/figs/raisins. A seriously big caffeine kick too.
the cascara sounds interesting and yummy- do you have a good source for it??
and welcome from someone who loves coffee and tea!
cheryl 