White tea is a bit of a conundrum for me.  I enjoy that it is the least processed tea out there, but it seems as though this often equates to it being the least flavorful.  With the exception of flavored whites, most white tea I have tried has been so subtle and subdued, that it left me wanting just a little more flavor in my cup.  This seems to be particularly true when dealing with silver needle white tea.  So, when Teatulia’s White made an appearance, I figured it would be good, but also a little light on flavor.

When I opened the bag, I was met with surprisingly small and fragile-looking needles sporting the typical white hairs.  The appearance of the needles was unlike any other I had seen.  I was expecting to see plump and succulent buds that looked fresh and flavorful.  These particular buds appeared to be more brittle and thin, like tiny pine needles.  Although I was a bit taken aback, I decided not to judge too quickly.  After all, even the most delectable looking silver needles I sampled previously didn’t wow me with their flavor.

I prepared my cup using one heaping teaspoon of tea in 175 degree water with a two minute steep.  This produced a lively golden cup that carried a very distinct fresh hay scent.  This was a good sign and the moment of truth came with my first sip.  The taste matched the scent exactly and I was greeted with a flavor of fresh hay.  In later sips, I noticed subtle hints of cinnamon mixed in the brew.  The cup finished with a light creaminess that lingered on the palate.  The layers of flavor are what really amazed me and this is by far, the most flavorful white I have ever encountered.  If ever a white tea could be classified as “bold” this would be it.

— To purchase Teatulia White Tea, or for more specific information on ingredients or the story behind this particular tea, click here to go directly to the manufacturer's web site.

Erika Teaviews.com Reviewer » Read more about this reviewer on Erika's profile page. » Find a list of recent posts by Erika.

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