Zhi Tea Company Loose Leaf Rooibos Tisane 'Sweet Desert Delight'

Tea Information: 

Zhi Tea Company Loose Leaf Rooibos Tisane 'Sweet Desert Delight'

Rooibos a.k.a. Red Tisane (Tea is technically only from the camellia sinensis plant) 

Purchase: Here 

Steepster Link: Here 

Steep Information: 

~12oz boiling water 2tsp

5+ minutes

Metal basket strainer 

Tasting Notes: 

Dry Leaf Smell: sweet, coconut, anise

Steeped Tea Smell: Anise and wood, Hint coconut

Flavor: Sweet coconut anise

Aftertaste: Woody 

Liquor: Color translucent orange red

Resteep: very weak

Photos:

Rating: 3/4 leaves

Leaf system: 

1=Bleh! not again if it were free 

2=Acceptable, if it were free or there were limited other tea options 

3=I might purchase this tea from time to time, or select it while out 

4=A staple in our cupboard from now on, I will purchase and keep purchasing 

Statement of Sponsorship or Advertisement: 

I purchased this product.

Disclaimer: 

All my reviews are as unbiased as possible, whether I buy or receive free product. I accept no other compensation other than free product.

Zhi Tea Loose Leaf Oolong Tea 'Aged Oolong 1987'

Zhi Tea Loose Leaf Oolong Tea 'Aged Oolong 1987'

Tea Information:
Tea: Aged Oolong 1987
Type: Oolong Tea
Packaging: Loose Leaf
Company: Zhi Tea
Purchase: Here
Description: Very, very nice medium roast Huan Gan Oolong from spring 1987.

Originally intended as a Ti Quan Yin, some of the lot was sequestered by a budding tea master for his first aged tea project. This has been reroasted five times (92, 95, 99, 09, 07) and still retains a well-rounded character with dark plum body and great mouth feel.

Richly textured, deep and mineral-y, with stone fruit on the back of the tongue and a soothing long finish. Leather, licorice, and raisin presominate even in the dry leaf. Holds up very well to several steepings.

Very limited quantity.

One of our Artisan Reserve organic oolong teas, a line of small batch handmade teas from a craft handed down over generations. Hand selected for having all the hallmark qualities of the highest grades with notable personality accents.

Steep Information:
Amount: 5g (packet said there should have been 6 in there)
Water: 500ml at 195°F
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 3 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: none
Steeped Tea Smell: roasty, a little nutty
Flavor: nutty, roasty, toasted
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: roasty
Liquor: translucent dark orange-brown

reminiscent of a lighter puerh

Resteep:
500ml at 195°F for 4 min

Resteep:
500ml at 195°F for 5 min

Resteep:
500ml at 195°F for 6 min
too watery, still roast

Rating: 2/4 leaves

Leaf system:
1=Bleh! not again if it were free
2=Acceptable, if it were free or there were limited other tea options
3=I might purchase this tea from time to time, or select it while out
4=A staple in our cupboard from now on, I will purchase and keep purchasing

I purchased this product. All my reviews are as unbiased as possible, whether I buy or receive free product. I accept no other compensation other than free product.

Zhi Tea Loose Leaf Oolong Tea 'Royal Courtesan'

Tea Information:
Tea: Royal Courtesan (oolong tea)
Type: Oolong Tea
Packaging: Loose Leaf
Company: Zhi Tea
Purchase: Here
Description: This tea is extremely limited. It has a long round clover honey sweetness, surrounded by wildflower notes and a nice tilled soil kind of depth. What makes this honey oolong stand out from the others we cupped when selecting this type of tea is the intense aromatics, overall body of the liquor, and complexity of flavor. It has a fullness and depth of character that continues even at room temperature or even cold. Multiple steepings reveal rich nutty earthiness and a more refined sweetness.

One of our Artisan Reserve organic oolong teas, a line of small batch handmade teas from a craft handed down over generations. Hand selected for having all the hallmark qualities of the highest grades with noteable personality accents.

Gui Fei Oolong was created by a group of young tea farmers from Luku township in 2000. After the big earthquake 9/21, the tea farmers in Luku township were engaged in rebuilding their hometown and neglected to manage their tea gardens which led to the tea leaves being chomped by the "tea leafhopper". After these tea leaves were picked and produced according to traditional Dong Ding Oolong tea method with a long fermentation, it turned out the tea liquor was crystal clear orange color and full of honey or litchi aroma. The green leaves were surrounded by red edges and looked very elegant and poised just like an ancient Gui Fei (The highest-ranking imperial concubine). Its flavor and aroma are different from traditional Dong Ding Oolong tea, which is why it is named Dong Ding Gui Fei tea or Gui Fei Oolong tea. We call it Royal Courtesan to honor its exemplary characteristics.

Steep Information:
Amount: 3 tsp
Water: 750ml at 175°F
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 3 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: Strong toasty scent
Steeped Tea Smell: sweet (floral), toasty
Flavor: sweet, silky, toasty
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: toasted, gritty
Liquor: translucent medium orange brown

Not the best oolong I've had, but a very nice one.

Resteep:
750ml at 175°F for 3 minutes and 30 seconds

Resteep:
750ml at 175°F for 4 minutes

It could have steeped more but I was headed home.

Rating: 3/4 leaves

Leaf system:
1=Bleh! not again if it were free
2=Acceptable, if it were free or there were limited other tea options
3=I might purchase this tea from time to time, or select it while out
4=A staple in our cupboard from now on, I will purchase and keep purchasing

I purchased this product. All my reviews are as unbiased as possible, whether I buy or receive free product. I accept no other compensation other than free product.

Zhi Tea Loose Leaf Oolong Tea 'Ginger Peach Oolong'

Tea Information:
Tea: Ginger Peach Oolong
Type: Oolong Tea
Packaging: Loose Leaf
Company: Zhi Tea
Purchase: Here
Description: Zhi House Blend Organic Ginger Peach Oolong is as exotic and luxurious as it sounds.

Hand-blended by our master craftswoman, Ginger Peach Oolong is designed to appeal to all your senses. Our top quality organic Shui Xian Oolong, organic ginger root, and organic juicy peach pieces combine to create a superbly refreshing, aromatic, and robust flavor experience.

The ginger gives a hint of bright spiciness while the peach adds a touch of sweetness and softness. Ginger Peach Oolong is an outstanding drink, if we may say so ourselves, that also produces a jaw-dropping iced tea. Invite your friends, they'll love you for it.

This tea holds up fantastically to multiple steepings!

A little more about our blending base for Organic Ginger Peach Oolong. We love the full flavor of the Shui Xian (water sprite), a 70% oxidized oolong leaf. This Ginger Peach has the pronounced robustness of our Wu Yi rock tea, but is a little less intense which provides a gentle base for the ginger and peach to shine through.

A great Shui Xian should support multiple steepings and have a nice, round body with a long smooth finish. You'll note that Ginger Peach Oolong has all these qualities with a distinct floral character that comes through as well. Ginger Peach is like a fine wine, the flavors are robust yet refreshingly fruity at the same time. Ginger Peach is the best thing for ginger lovers and the peach is something to remind you of long hot summer days.

Steep Information:
Tool: Teapot with Mesh basket strainer
Served: Hot

I ordered a 2 person pot, the leaves were brought out with pot, and more hot water was provided.

Tasting Notes:
Steeped Tea Smell: toasty, floral, light peach
Flavor: roasty, nutty
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: floral, slight perfume, hints of ginger
Liquor: translucent brown-orange

The peach comes through as a slight sweet flavor.
The ginger is a back of the tongue tang after each sip.
The tea is enjoyable, but not extraordinary.

Resteep:
Just as good

Rating: 2/4 leaves


Leaf system:
1=Bleh! not again if it were free
2=Acceptable, if it were free or there were limited other tea options
3=I might purchase this tea from time to time, or select it while out
4=A staple in our cupboard from now on, I will purchase and keep purchasing






I purchased this product. All my reviews are as unbiased as possible, whether I buy or receive free product. I accept no other compensation other than free product.

Zhi Tea Store Review

I visited Zhi Tea 12-11-11 @ 3:16pm
Website: http://zhitea.com/
Address: 4607 Bolm Rd., Austin, TX 78702

It was a very sharp turn to get to the right street, I passed it once and ended up having to circle back to it. There was limited parking, but the place was not very full. By the end of my visit there were 4 other patrons, 3 of which stayed with for here drinks.

One woman, the blender, was taking care of the front of the store. She was very knowledgeable and helpful with telling me about the teas and helping me select one to have.

The walls were covered with shelves of tea, and plenty of sampler sizes.

There were 4 tables, and 1 couch corner.

Average experience for a tea shop, but cozy and nice. I will gladly go back to visit next time I am in Austin.