Tea Time at Reverie: Golden Tips’ Moonlight Darjeeling Black Tea

March 6, 2016March 6, 2016 / saraletourneau / Leave a comment

Finally had a chance to try a Darjeeling black tea for Tea Time at Reverie! This review goes into a little more detail about how Darjeelings differ from Assams, which more tea drinkers are familiar with. The focus, however, is on Moonlight Darjeeling from Golden Tips. If you’re looking for something less robust and more refined than the usual black tea, this review might pique your interest. 😉

A Bibliophile's Reverie

When the package of samples from Golden Tips Tea first arrived, I was thrilled to find some Darjeeling teas inside. Though Darjeelings aren’t as well-known as Assam teas, they’re considered some of the finest in the world. In fact, Darjeeling black tea is nicknamed the “Champagne of Teas” because of its distinct aroma and flavor palate. I’ve had a few Darjeelings, and I have to agree – they’re smoother than Assams, more floral and fruity than Ceylons, and wonderfully delicious.

Which leads me to today’s Tea Time. Golden Tips’ Moonlight Darjeeling is a blend of black teas from various plantations across India’s Darjeeling region. All of the leaves were picked during “first flush” (March / April 2015) and are categorized as “Moonlight” due to their superior quality and aroma. In other words, this is one fine black tea blend. Who would like to try a cup with me? 🙂

The…

View original post 769 more words

Tea Time at Reverie: Golden Tips Tea’s Assam Enigma Black Tea

November 9, 2015November 9, 2015 / saraletourneau / 2 Comments

Today’s tea review at A Bibliophile’s Reverie covers a surprising Assam black tea from Golden Tips. I say “surprising” because although it’s strong and assertive like other black teas from that region of India, its flavor profile is quite unique. Read on to learn more about Assam Enigma.

A Bibliophile's Reverie

Time for another new vendor! Golden Tips Tea was kind enough to send a generous package of samples for future Tea Times. This family business in India sells single-origin, unflavored teas from some of the country’s finest tea regions. Darjeeling, Assam, Nilgiri, and even the neighboring country of Nepal are represented. I’m excited to finally dive into their offerings, and I hope you are, too!

And with the fall days growing shorter and chillier, it’s the ideal time to break out a new black tea. Assam Enigma catches my eye first from the Golden Tips stash. This blend of summer-picked black tea leaves is said to carry the strong, malty flavors that Assam teas are famous for, with a few surprises. (Plus, doesn’t the word “enigma” in the name entice you into trying it?) So, let’s get brewing.

The Basics

Photo courtesy of Golden Tips Tea

Golden Tips’ Description:“An…

View original post 791 more words

5 on the 5th: Five Delicious Black Teas to Try This Fall

October 5, 2015October 4, 2015 / saraletourneau / 15 Comments

On the fifth day of each month, 5 on the 5th shares five of something that I like or recommend to readers. Whether it’s five items that share a common theme, or five reasons why I like the topic at hand, this monthly meme gives us an opportunity to talk about other subjects that aren’t normally discussed here at the blog.

Ah, fall. I’m not the biggest fan of this season, but I love many foods that are associated with it: soup, apple cider, pumpkin pie… and black tea! Well, yes, I do drink black tea year-round. But I know other people take a break from it during the warmer months and then come back to it as the nights get cooler and the leaves start to fall. So, what better way to kick off autumn than trying some new black teas? Here are five I highly recommend, along with links in case you feel tempted. 😉
Continue reading →

Tea Time at Reverie: Tea From Taiwan’s GABA Oolong Tea

September 29, 2015September 29, 2015 / saraletourneau / 1 Comment

Being a tea reviewer has allowed me to sample all kinds of teas that I had never heard of before. GABA tea is the latest example – and I bet this is a new one for many other tea drinkers, too. Find out what makes this oolong from Tea From Taiwan so unique in my latest post at A Bibliophile’s Reverie.

A Bibliophile's Reverie

Ever heard of GABA Oolong Tea before? Most likely you haven’t. Neither had I, until Tea From Taiwan sent me a sample for review. Apparently it’s popular in Japan and Taiwan, but it hasn’t caught on here in the United States yet. Hmmmmmm. I wonder why?

First produced in Japan in 1987, GABA tea is made from high-grade whole leaves (either green or oolong) that are naturally rich in glutamic acid. The leaves undergo a unique process where they’re exposed to nitrogen gas under controlled conditions to release gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an amino acid that occurs naturally in the human body’s nervous system and retinae. As for possible health benefits, scientific studies have shown that GABA tea may help with relieving anxiety and stress, increasing mental alertness, and lowering high blood pressure.

Interesting, don’t you think? If you’d like to learn more about GABA Oolong Tea, check out Tea From Taiwan’s…

View original post 807 more words

Tea Time at Reverie: Yezi Tea’s Tie Guan Yin High Grade Oolong Tea

July 28, 2015July 28, 2015 / saraletourneau / 2 Comments

Squeezing in another tea review before the end of the month! I purposely saved Tie Guan Yin as my final sample from Yezi Tea because it’s my favorite kind of oolong. And this High Grade version of Tie Guan Yin did not disappoint! Read my review at A Bibliophile’s Reverie to learn more.

A Bibliophile's Reverie

Today’s tea is one of many names: Iron Goddess Oolong, Iron Bodhisattva, Monkey-Picked Oolong, Tie Kwan Yin (Taiwanese)… They’re all part of the pool known as Tie Guan Yin, which is Chinese for “Iron Goddess of Mercy.” This renowned oolong tea is available at most tea shops and online retailers, including our friends at Yezi Tea, who were kind enough to send us samples. (Justin also wrote about Yezi’s Tie Guan Yin High Grade Oolong Tea here.)

Yezi’s brand of Tie Guan Yin High Grade Oolong hails from the mountains of Anxi County in the southern Fujian province of China. Since the early days of the Qing Dynasty, this tea has been famous for its heavy body and surprisingly sweet flavor. So, how does Tie Guan Yin measure up to other oolongs we’ve tasted for Tea Time? Read on to find out!

The Basics

Photo courtesy…

View original post 903 more words

Tea Time at Reverie: Tea From Taiwan’s Zhong Shu Hu Oolong Tea

June 26, 2015June 26, 2015 / saraletourneau / 1 Comment

Another tea review is up at A Bibliophile’s Reverie! This time I try Zhong Shu Hu Oolong from Tea From Taiwan. If you’re a fan of light or milky (Alishan) oolongs, this one might be of interest to you.

A Bibliophile's Reverie

Forgive me if I’ve said it before, but the variety of oolong teas never ceases to amaze me. Vegetal, floral, fruity, roasted – each one has been as unique as a person’s fingerprint. Today we have another oolong offering for you: Zhong Shu Hu Oolong, courtesy of Tea From Taiwan. This particular tea is grown in the Ali Mountain region (Alishan), which is one of Taiwan’s most famous tea-producing regions. Most oolongs from this part of the world are known for their unique “milky” presence in both aroma and taste. However, Tea From Taiwan describes Zhong Shu Hu as sweet and complex. Maybe it’s a little bit of all three qualities? Let’s find out.

The Basics

Photo courtesy of Tea From Taiwan

Tea From Taiwan’s Description:“Zhong Shu Hu oolong tea has a sweet taste and refined aroma. Each brewing brings out new flavours and taste sensations. This…

View original post 776 more words

Tea Time at Reverie: Elinor’s Heart Black Tea from Bingley’s Teas

June 12, 2015June 12, 2015 / saraletourneau / Leave a comment

English Breakfast fans, here’s a black tea with a literary slant that you might like! Elinor’s Heart from Bingley’s Teas combines bright Ceylon with jammy Kenyan leaves for a well-rounded cup that celebrates the more level-headed and rational Dashwood sister from Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. Learn more about Elinor’s Heart – and why I prefer it steeped on the longer end of its brew range – at A Bibliophile’s Reverie!

A Bibliophile's Reverie

“I have seen a great deal of him, have studied his sentiments and heard his opinion on subjects of literature and taste; and, upon the whole, I venture to pronounce that his mind is well-informed, his enjoyment of books exceedingly great, his imagination lively, his observation just and correct, and his taste delicate and pure.… At present, I know him so well, that I think him really handsome; or, at least, almost so.”
Elinor Dashwood, Jane Austen’s “Sense and Sensibility”

If Marianne Dashwood represents the “sensibility” of Sense and Sensibility, her older sister Elinor would be the “sense.” She’s practical, well-mannered, and rational, making her the perfect – if not only – choice as her mother’s counselor and the Dashwoods’ accountant. Even when Elinor falls in love with Edward Ferrars, her logic overrules her heart, and she places her responsibilities for her family over her desire for marriage…

View original post 790 more words

Tea Time at Reverie: Yezi Tea’s Dragon Well High Grade Long Jing Green Tea

May 13, 2015May 13, 2015 / saraletourneau

Funny how I decided to review Yezi Tea’s High Grade Dragon Well Green Tea while reading George R.R. Martin’s A Dance With Dragons recently. (My review of ADwD is coming soon, btw.) And I think those fire-breathing wyrms and their brethren from other fantasy stories would approve of this prized Chinese tea. Read on to find out what makes Dragon Well so unique – in appearance, smell, and taste.

A Bibliophile's Reverie

If I had to pick a favorite green tea, Dragon Well would be my vote. I was fascinated by its unexpectedly full flavor and the distinct appearance of its leaves the first time I tried it. So, I was thrilled when Yezi Tea sent a sample for Tea Time.

Known as Long Jing (Chinese for “dragon well”) in its native China, Dragon Well is celebrated as an Imperial Tea and surrounded by all kinds of lore. Listing all of the legends would take a while; but after researching, it’s clear why emperors loved this tea. Dragon Well is harvested exclusively in Hangzhou’s lakes region, and is comprised of unopened leaf buds called “dragon sprouts” (a.k.a. water lily hearts). The leaves are plucked by hand during the first couple weeks of spring, then pressed in a hot wok until the ideal shape is achieved. As for the scent and taste… Well, that’s…

View original post 879 more words

Tea Time at Reverie: Teasenz’s Fujian Silver Needle White Tea

March 17, 2015March 17, 2015 / saraletourneau / 3 Comments

With spring just around the corner, now is the perfect time to try some refreshing white teas. One lovely choice from Teasenz is their Fujian Silver Needle, a prized Chinese white tea named after its abundance of silvery, down-covered buds. Find out more about Teasenz’s Fujian Silver Needle White Tea, including why it’s an ideal companion beverage for journaling and meditation, at my latest Tea Time at A Bibliophile’s Reverie!

A Bibliophile's Reverie

Few white teas are as well-known as China’s Silver Needle. Consisting almost exclusively of silky, unopened buds, Silver Needle leaves are plucked by hand during a few select days in the spring harvest. This tea is so prized in China that locals often save their reserves for weddings, the New Year, and other special occasions. Teasenz graciously sent us a sample of their Fujian Silver Needle White Tea for review, and I’m happy to tell you more about this light-as-a-butterfly infusion today.

The Basics

Photo courtesy of Teasenz

Teasenz’s Description:“Enjoyed exclusively by the imperial family in China for centuries, the Silky Silver Needle is a top-grade white tea with a soft, smooth, and silky-sweet taste experience. An ethereal cup with a lingering fragrance and refreshing aftertaste. Pure and refreshing.”

Ingredients: Silver Needle white tea leaves

Steeping Instructions: Use 1 tsp of tea for every 3 oz of water…

View original post 698 more words

Tea Time At Reverie: Yezi Tea’s Yi Fu Chun Black Tea

February 27, 2015February 27, 2015 / saraletourneau / 2 Comments

Yezi Tea describes their Yi Fu Chun Black Tea as “smooth as riding in a Rolls-Royce on a newly paved highway.” After trying it for myself, I have to agree with that description. Learn more about this smoky, sophisticated black tea today at A Bibliophile’s Reverie, and what literary vampire it reminded me of.

A Bibliophile's Reverie

Remember last time when I mentioned I was battling the winter blues? Well, the weather hasn’t improved much since then, so I’m craving a good ol’ black tea this time. Since it was time to rotate back to my Yezi Tea samples, I went straight for their Yi Fu Chun Black Tea.

Yi Fu Chun is a Chinese black tea grown near Fuqing City along the country’s Nanhu Mountain range. Climate plays a crucial role in tea-growing; and according to Yezi’s website, the Nanhu Mountains can be covered in fog for 200 days a year. Read on to learn more about this smoky, classy gem.

The Basics

Image courtesy of Yezi Tea

Yezi’s Description:“Yi Fu Chun is an organic tea, and Yezi is proud to bring you this offering sourced, like most of our teas, directly from the farmer. You will find drinking this golden brown brew…

View original post 928 more words