Aprtea contacted me not to long ago and asked if I would review some of their teas.
Most often I love doing it, but I had never heard of this company; so I asked.
Aprtea is located Anxi, China; the capital of the tea industry
where you can find high-quality Chinese tea with "professional tea knowledge".
The owners father had a history of tea and they decided to expand
to international trade in 2017.
I found it interesting that the name Aprtea is because April is the main
month of production for their tea.
Anxi tea is the origin of Oolong tea and Tieguanyin tea which is China's largest market.
The five teas arrived last week and the tasting began.
1. Zhang Ping Shui Xizu Oolong Tea, Fragrant Orchid Grade One,
Zhangping Fugian, China, 2018 Spring Tea.
A compressed tea in sweet packaging smelled and tasted of flower
in springtime. Delicious flowery oolong.
I shared this one with my tea group and they all loved it.
2. Keemun Mao Feng Black Tea Grade One, Qimen, Anxi, China, 2018.
Sometimes Keemun's are a little stringent and bitter to my taste,
but having steeped this in boiling water it was quite good.
It would make a lovely breakfast tea.
I also iced it, but liked it better hot.
3. Wuyi Jin Jun Mei Black Tea Honey, Incense Grade One,
Wuyishan, Fujian, China, 2018 Spring.
I have always like Wuyi Jin Jun Mei Black teas and this one didn't disappoint.
4. Yunnan Dianhong Tea Bending Gold Buds Special Grade One,
Fengging, Yunnan, China, 2018 Spring.
Now Dianhong teas are a favorite of mine, so I was looking forward to tasting.
Of the two here I liked this one the best, but it didn't have some of the
background flavor which I have grown to love.
It was a beautiful tea in little spiral shapes and much care was taken in producing.
It did have a full bodied flavor that would work for a breakfast tea.
5. Yunnan Dianhong Tea Golden Needle Buds Special Grade,
Fengging, Yunnan, China, Spring 2018.
I was amazed when I opened this to see long brown needles of tea.
I had never seen a Dianhong in this shape, it was pretty.
It also was rather powdery, which I wasn't sure what that was.
I found with both Dianhongs I had to rinse well before steeping.
This tea was lighter in color and flavor and didn't have the familiar
Dianhong flavor I love.
In future ordering I can definitely recommend the first three,
but not sure about the last two.
The oolong was by far my favorite
and funny, but it wasn't one I asked for.
I guess Aprtea knew I would like it.
Thanks, Aprtea!
picture: pink teacups from my shelf, rose from my garden.
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