New Teas

I ordered several samples from Jing Tea Shop, so expect
reviews of the following:

-Wuyi Da Hong Pao
-2003 Anxi Aged Tie Guan Yin
-Anxi Rou Gui
-Qi Lan

I am quite looking forward to the Tie Guan Yin.
Anxi oolongs are a favorite of mine.

Any recommendations of Anxi oolongs that I should
look into..?

Iced

The last official day of spring break.
Once the weekend is over, it's back to school.

Today was a day for tradition and southern hospitality.
Iced tea;
for myself and friends to enjoy.

There is something rewarding about something so simple.

Comforting is a good word to express the feeling.

I hope you can all find comfort and fun in the next days of this splendid season.

Thank God for tea.


~Billy




(For information sake, the tea used was a black tea produced in Charleston, South Carolina. I purchased it on a tour of the plantation and processing facility).

2008 Dragonwell / Springtime

Today's tea is a 2008 Dragonwell purchased at TenRen on a visit there last year.

Time has taken its toll on this great treasure, but there is still some life in it yet.
The dry leaf has a pleasing scent of spicy vegetation, something along the lines of a radish.
The undertones of the classic toasted aroma present themselves not far after.


The liquor is almost absent of aroma, but there is still a specific smell that wafts from the cup; just can not pinpoint it.


The first sip...sweet sensations are detected.
Not long after, a grassy astringency is brought forth.
As the liquid cools the throat, an aromatic spice is present. Rosemary. Strange, but pleasing.

I enjoy three more infusions after the first. The last infusion being sweet water.
This tea, although old, still holds life. Reminds me of a fruitful, aged man trying so hard not to give up.

Definitely a tea that deserves respect.



The end of spring break is coming nearer, and with that, springtime is coming closer.
New Mexico is vibrant during the spring season.














I thought I should share a bit of my spring with everyone.
Hope you enjoy

~Billy



Read Asiatic Fox's opinion of this tea here

Mountain Spring Water

Today was a good day for a hike. I went with a good friend of mine.
The scenery was beautiful and I only wish I had photos to share with you.

Climbing over boulders, through trees and bushes, fighting our way through the terrain; it was all quite thrilling.

There was a reason I went on this hike. Good company, awe-inspiring landscapes, and...fresh spring water.
The trail ended at a free flowing spring. I downed the rest of my water, trekked to the foot of the small falls, and filled the bottle.
This will make a good cup of tea.

~Billy

Baozhong A

I acquired this tea when I was on a trip to San Francisco, California earlier this year. One of the first places I headed to was Chinatown, for obvious reasons. I stumbled upon a few very nice tea shops and spent quite a bit of money replenishing my stock.

This tea was purchased at the TenRen shop for a very good price.


The dry leaves are quite a treat for the eye. The leaves are long and wiry and have a vast spectrum of colors; various shades of green, light and dark browns, and a few tan-ish leaves sprinkled in.
The scent of the leaves is a bit contradictory...subtle, but powerful. Hard to explain.
The leaves emit a very fresh, creamy aroma. Behind that, a soft scent of cabbage is noted.
The leaves smell sweet.

First infusion...the aroma is noted as buttery soft...sip...



The brew is unbelievably smooth; velvet-like. It is soothing on a dry throat.
It reminds me of eating a head of iceberg lettuce. It is watery with the slightest hint of some leafy green.

The second infusion is poured and examined.
The buttery aroma is far more pronounced, as the leaves have expanded quite a bit.
A light astringency emerges and gives the tea a wonderful character. The vegetal notes come to the front of the palate. It is very close to how a broccoli would taste, except subdued.



The tea lasted for two more infusions before it gave out. But that is not surprising considering the usual endurance of a Baozhong.
Quite enjoyable, and an easy drinker.
Very nice tea!

~Billy

Introduction

My name is Billy; 17 years old (now 18), and an avid tea lover. Two years ago I became captivated with tea. The colors, tastes, legends, culture, utensils, and everything else related to tea grabbed my attention.

I have pursued my passion and I hope to meet others who share my interest, as well as introduce the world of tea to others.


I am still a learner and hope to stay that way. One can never end their journey with tea.



I will be posting once I get back into the habit of note-taking. I hope to bring some measure of joy to my readers.



~Billy