White Rose from Teas, Etc

Scent in package: lovely “wild roses”
Brewed in: glass teapot/glass infuser
Steeped: 5 min. @ 185 or so
Cup: Porcelain teacup

I got this sample in my recent order from Teas, Etc., and couldn’t wait to try it. I love black rose tea, or any tea scented with roses, so I figured this one had to be good as well. Needless to say, I wasn’t disappointed.

The dry leaves and rose buds are simply beautiful together, the tea clearly being of high quality with some full leaves present. The scent made my mouth water, and I couldn’t wait for the water to heat up. I poured, and that lovely sweet floral fragrance just intensified, filling the whole kitchen. This tea brews up darker than many white teas, to a lovely golden yellow color as you can see.
The taste is wonderful. The tea taste is very light, of course, and easily missed if you’re not thinking about it. The rose flavor is what really shines, sweet and decadent. It made me think of garden parties, ladies in lacy hats and gloves, and coolness on a hot summer day when the scent of a wild rose bush can waft through the yard on a light breeze. It was slightly drying, as many white teas are, but not unpleasantly so, and I was quite disappointed when the cup was empty.

Unfortunately, it was time for bed then…and the tea was so relaxing that I had no trouble laying down and falling right to sleep. I put the extra half-glass of tea in the fridge, and plan on drinking it cold this evening, and I think it will be quite lovely and refreshing over ice, possibly even sweeter.

The wet leaves were beautiful and vibrant, the rose buds open and very beautiful against the pale green spent leaves of the tea.
I’ve now tried black, green and white teas scented with roses, and honestly, I’ve loved every one of them. This one is definitely a keeper – if you like floral teas, try this one. You won’t regret it.

Rosy Earl Grey from Teas, Etc.

Scent in package: Bergamot and roses…very soft and sweet.
Brewed in: unbleached filter bag (work)
Steeped: 5 min@ 212 degrees
Cup: Café mug

I honestly would never have tried this tea if not for a free sample sent with my order this week. The thought of bergamot and roses together just never really sounded appetizing. When I smelled the tea blend after opening my sample pack, I still wasn’t completely convinced, since the bergamot and roses and tea were all completely separate scents, not really mingling in the package.

I should note that the mix is absolutely beautiful with the rose petals and tea leaves…truly lovely to look at. It’s a blend of Jasmine green tea, black earl grey and rose petals.

And then I brewed it up this morning. It brews up a lovely light golden color, and the smell is to die for – sweet but not “sickly sweet”. And the taste…wow. It’s so smooth and mellow, the bergamot and roses blend together to create this incredibly light floral profile that is complimented by the honey-like texture of the brew (added, I would assume, by the jasmine green tea and the bergamot). It reminds me of high school, and days spent wandering through the incense-laden atmospheres of record shops & tattoo parlors (much softer though, of course). Overall, the tea is very soothing, and made me forget my pressing troubles, if only for a moment or two.

This tea is definitely on my “to order next time” list – with all the rose petals, there was only enough in the sample for this one cup, and already I’m mourning the loss. I won’t be waiting long to order a full-size pack of this (like next week), and it’s very affordable at $7.95 for 3 oz. Order some…I promise you won’t regret it!

China Rose Congou from Dragonwater

Scent in package: very “rosy”, lovely, old-world rose scent
Brewed in: unbleached filter bag
Steeped: 5 min@ 212
Cup: Café mug at work

I have a propensity for scented teas, so I was quite happy to find a sample of this in my recent order of puerh cakes from Dragonwater. I love free samples anyways, but it seemed like perfect timing to get a rose scented tea in April, just when a bit of summer was needed. I ripped open the package and took a whiff, and the scent of this tea is just absolutely delightful. I was ready to brew up a cup right then.

There’s absolutely no astringency to the tea at all. It brews up a thin liquor, very light and refreshing, the roses giving it a sweet-tart flavor that gives the whole tea a “lift”. There are a few rose petals left in the tea from the scenting, and they add beauty and grace to the leaves as they unfurl. The tea is good hot, warm, and cool, and would be a treat over ice as well.

This tea isn’t complex, or hearty, or a “wake me up” tea…but it is a tea that would be perfect for everyday drinking, an afternoon treat, and just an all around delicate taste experience for anyone who likes a floral scented tea. It would probably be a great tea to serve to guests as well…I’m going to take my sample pouch home this weekend, and offer cups to family who will be visiting this weekend.

At $4.25 for a whole 1/2lb, it’s completely affordable too – I’d highly recommend a sample ($1.25) so you can taste for yourself. Two thumbs way up for this tea…I’ll absolutely be ordering more for my own stock soon.