My Overall Impression (Score of 86.0%)

I’ve been travelling a great deal recently and purchasing teas from around the country.  This is great until I remember that I still have a large stash waiting to be sampled.  For the next few weeks, I’m diving deep into these older purchases to review them.

The problem with buying tea is remembering what you have and also missing gems.  Upper Namring Spring Chinary from Teagardenia is one of these hidden blessings that I should have looked at earlier.  If you note above, they do not have this on their website anymore but I hope they bring this back for another round.

What do I like about sampling tea (especially new ones)?  It’s the anticipation leading to the actual experience.  When I opened this bag, it gave me lovely hints of a Darjeeling.  Now I’m excited and as I brewed it (for 4 minutes BTW), I’m wondering what to expect on the first sip.  Just simple great smoothness in a cup.  More inviting in each sip.  Just a wonderful tea that made me stop and think for a second looking for the nuances.

That’s what I love about teas in general – the way they can make you feel.  This one is amazing complex with its small notes.  This brew will be loaded into my cup for morning walks just after sunrise.

What do I think this Tea’s Personality is?

• Excited to go on a lovely, chilly morning hike? Take me with you to help you to relax and enjoy the view!

The Price

The price on 7/11/22 is $8.57 for 100 grams.

Broken down:

• 100 gm / 3 gm for steeping = 33 brews
• 33 brews from package = app. 26 cents per brew.

Typically, I double steep all my teas (use the tea twice) so I can get 66 cups or approximately 13 cents per cup.  Now, I’m disappointed that I’m unable to find more presently but I hope they bring this blend back for sale.  Just a great cup.

Aromas

• Opening the package, you are greeted with a lovely sweet floral and green tea note mixed with grape leaves.
• This is followed by notes of parsley, sage, basil, seaweed and white pepper.
• Once brewed, this changes more to green floral notes (reminded me of a peony).
• This is followed by notes of apricots, dried mango, parsley and dried herbs.

Flavors

• Very smooth profile with beautiful notes of light vegetal and floral with hints of dried apples.
• Also shows notes of green squash, light malt, peas, green beans, bell pepper and a touch musty.
• Moderate dryness on the palate with great acidity and medium tannins.  I kept coming back and sipping on this brew faster than expected.
• Nice creamy texture on the front and mid palate but finishes a bit dusty with a very faint note of bitterness on the back end (not unpleasant).

Scores

• Aromas (4.3/5)
• Flavors (8.5/10)
• Overall impression (4.4/5)
  • Total score = 86 percent (17.2/20)

Foods to Pair and Why

• The first thing that popped into my chef mind was related to protein. What would work with this without masking this great brew?  Since this brew has dried herb qualities, I started to think about using veal as in a saltimbocca.  However, I normally make this dish with either a pounded pork tenderloin or chicken breast.
• I love salads in the warmer months so an herbed salad (mixed greens with some microgreens and Italian parsley added) would be a lovely pairing.  Add in your favorite protein (not spicy) and you have a great meal option.
• I can not wait until good honeydew melons are in season. Yes, you can get them all year round but I do not care for eating woody, unripe rock-hard fruit (You Know Exactly what I mean).  I love fresh honeydew that when you walk into the kitchen, you can smell its perfume.  Wrap a slice of this with prosciutto to sample.
• Think herb qualities in your brew and a nice combination will be herbed goat cheese with water crackers.
• I’m getting super excited for fresh vegetables from the garden. I’m thinking dicing up some of these, tossing them in a very light herb vinaigrette, lightly chilled and sip on some of the Upper Namring.