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November 2008 Staff Tea Picks is by Mel:
Mel's current favorite tea: Lu
Shan Clouds and Mist:
"The tea that I have been drinking a lot of lately is one of
our best-selling green teas, Lu Shan Clouds and Mist. I used to only like
puerhs because of their earthy, dark flavor profile. Green teas are very light,
especially for a person used to drinking black teas or coffees. But Lu Shan was
one of the first green teas I encountered with enough body and flavor to please
the black tea drinker in me."
Mel is Teance's computer monkey and top Lu Shan brewer at
the tea warehouse.
October 2008 Staff Tea Pick is by Tiffany, Teance's bookkeeper and marketing assistant:
"I'm always on the hunt for a good medium-light roasted oolong, one with just enough heat to bring out the caramel notes but not so much that it hides the innate floral sweetness of the tea...not that I'm picky. Teance's Cold Summit oolong has many of those characteristics, and it actually displaced Baochong as my favorite Taiwanese oolong!
Baochong has a very green edge, while Cold Summit seems a little more balanced to me. It has an aroma of of fresh-baked pastries, roses, and incense. A bit of honey and orchid lingers on your tongue, but the tea is always unassuming. It's not a very dramatic oolong, but if you take the time to experience all the flavors it offers, it's always worthwhile."
The September 2008 Staff Tea Picks are by Sam and Masood, tea servers at Teance's Fourth Street store:
Sam's tea pick: Baochong Premium Oolong
Nothing is better than a nice cup of Baochong. Warm, smooth, and toasty, it is by far my favorite tea of the new harvest. I really get a boost from the strong aroma, but mainly from the tea itself.
To be honest, I'm not the biggest expert on teas (who is, besides Winnie?), but I've drunk my fair share. From my mom's side I am experienced in English tea. I come from English/Dutch/Sri Lankan/Jewish/Indian settlers in Sri Lanka, and we still do love our tea time.
Working at Teance for nearly four years has taught me a lot about all the Chinese, Taiwanese, and Japanese teas, which I now enjoy thoroughly. But, Baochong remains my number one favorite.
Masood's tea pick: Phoenix Single Grove Honey Oolong
Phoenix is one of those rare teas that is picked from ancient trees, and it certainly shows its character both when you smell the fragrance and taste it. Although it is subtle in flavor, after the initial smell and first sip the sweet smell of honey stays with you to bring you back. It is not a very heavily roasted tea and it is moderately caffeinated; two cups are just enough to balance you throughout your day.
If you would like to taste the Phoenix Single Grove Honey next time you come to Teance, please ask for me. I would love to personally brew you a cup of this wonderful tea.
Teance staff: Chih Hui, Lisa, and Darius
Staff Tea Picks
August 2008 tea picks are by Chih Hui and Lisa, senior tea servers at the 4th Street store.
Staff tea pick by Chih Hui: Bamboo Green
One midnight while I was reading my emails, I got a note requesting my "Staff Tea Pick" for our newsletter. I'm more an Oolong than Green tea fan, but my muddled and sleepy brain popped out with Bamboo Green. I couldn't stop thinking, "If only I could drink Bamboo Green in that elegant pavilion in the middle of a dense forest of moss and trees in the mountain Emei Shan." (I envy Winnie and Darius enjoying a cup of tea there, long hike and all. If you don't know what I am talking about, do read Winnie's Blog about her travels through Asia). I had to have a cup of Bamboo Green right away!
When it arrived this spring, the second year we've had it in the store, I opened a package for tasting. I was immediately enveloped by the fresh sweet aroma and the vibrancy of the tiny, needle-like green leaves. When the liquid went through my mouth, it felt like spring dancing on top of my tongue. Winnie's lessons and blog deepened my connection with Emei Shan and its farmers and each cup of Bamboo Green. Knowing its background gives me another level of enjoyment - I feel lucky to know the story behind it.
Bamboo Green can of course be drunk daily, but I appreciate it most when my mind is stuffy with daily stress. I make a cup of and imagine I am in the heavenly Emei Shan, breathing the cool fresh air. When I drink Bamboo Green, I always get a subtle fruity aftertaste - do you? I welcome your comments and thoughts about this flavorful tea.
Staff tea pick by Lisa: White Down
My favorite tea this month is White Down. Even though I am also a big fan of Oolongs and Greens, the White Down is my perfect companion because it eases me into each morning without the caffeine jitters.
Even dry, it smells sweet like morning dew on a warm haystack. The leaves are crunchy, perfect slivers, glistening with silver fuzz. The fact that it has the most anti-oxidants of all teas is just an added benefit in those frequent moments when I crave its smooth, round, pure flavor.
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