My tea world has been an embarrassment of riches for years. So presented with the task of writing under the topic “my favorite tea” as part of the Association of Tea Bloggers‘ lead-up to the “Bloggers’ Choice Awards” it was quite a challenge to sift through that immense history of deliciousness and try to extract just one particularly deserving tea. But I tried to think of one special tea that had both surprised and impressed me, and one immediately came to mind: the “Qiyuan Jin Jiang Da Hong Pao” that was sent to me by the people at Tea Valley.
One of the first things that hinted at the specialness of the tea was the small gold box that contained it. Packaging can be overly fancy or deceptive, but this looked simple and elegant. And the tea itself is absolutely fabulous. It was an award winner at the Wuyi Mountain People’s Choice Tea Competition in 2008, and although it is, of course, not leaf from the original TRUE Da Hong Pao bushes it certainly comes from bushes that have been very well cultivated and cared for. Rich and tangy, with a depth and complexity revealing its famous ancestry, it is a tea that I would bring out for a special occasion, and only if the other people who were going to drink with me were people I expected to appreciate the tea’s quality.
Unfortunately, Tea Valley’s website is offline right now, and I’m unable to find much detail about their company. They were located in Renton, Washington, just a few cities away from where I am. With teas this good, I want to see them continue to make them available!
The two runners-up for teas that I really, really like and recommend to other people quite often are Royal Golden Safari, one of the fine offerings by Royal Tea of Kenya, and Yulan Dancong, one of Canton Tea Company’s wonderful oolongs.
I want to know what YOUR favorite teas are. Let me know in the comments. More details on the “Bloggers’ Choice Awards” will be posted soon.
Please read the other posts by ATB members on this topic:
Black Dragon Tea Bar
Joy’s Teaspoon
Notes on Tea
Scandalous Tea
Tea Enthusiasts Scrapbook
Tea For Me Please
Tea Happiness
The Cup That Cheers
The Devotea
The Sip Tip
Walker Tea Review
Possibly Related Posts:
- Indonesian Teas
- Bai Ji Guan Yancha Tian Xin Yan, Vicony Teas
- Han Tea Ceremony at Seattle Chinese Garden
- Tea Review: Canton Tea Co.: Superior Bai Lin Gongfu
- 恭喜發財 – Happy Year of the Water Dragon!
[...] – Gongfu Girl [...]
Left by Your Voice, Your Favorite Teas | Walker Tea Review on August 20th, 2012
I was recently given a gift of Dong Ding Oolomg Tea by ” Jing tea” which I had never heard of. My husband is an avid oolong drinker and kept gushing about how lovely is was….especially the aromatics. I decided to sample some more from Jing. Really blown away by a tea they have which is a white tea called ” jasmine silver needle”. I also got their first flush Darjeeling which I am thoroughly enjoying. After seeing the website I’m impressed with what I see, so will be definitely be buying more from these people
[Reply]
Left by Melanie Bayoud on October 30th, 2012
Though I have not tried that specific variety, Da Hong Pao has been at the top of my list for quite some time as my go-to favourite tea.
What sets it apart from the others in your opinion?
[Reply]
Left by Martin on February 9th, 2013
Hi,
My favourite teas are the ayurvedic Calming, Refreshing and Stimulating teas. You can find them here: http://shop.healthshopiness.com/Teas_c3.htm
Hope you like them
Cheers!
[Reply]
Left by Mary on February 17th, 2013