We’ve created a new range of high end teas called Clipper Boutique and they are this April’s Tea of the Month. There are six speciality teas in the range from the world’s finest tea producers and each one is typical of its region. We asked this month’s lucky Clipper Sippers to review a tea from the range and write us a short review to let us know what they thought.
Boutique Jasmine Blossom Silver Needles White Loose Leaf Tea
This very special tea is sourced from exclusive gardens in the mountainous area of Zhenghe County, Fujian Province, China. This region is the birthplace of traditional White Tea and to this day remains famous throughout the world for its superior quality.
Silver Needles is the highest grade of white tea, as only the unopened tea buds are used.
The tea is delicately scented with fresh jasmine flowers to deliver a refined and distinctive fresh floral character.
“The Boutique range of tea really does offer something different, this is not your average cuppa. Not only does this tea have the most wonderful fragrance, it is also contained in a beautifully pretty yet practical tin. Which I am delighted to have sitting out in the kitchen for all to see, and has already received many an admiring comment. Drinking a cup of the Jasmine Blossom Silver Needles White tea was more of an experience than just a drink. There is such a delicate yet exotic scent and taste to this tea, which refreshes yet soothes, encouraging you to sink back into the sofa and put your feet up. This tea makes you feel as though it’s a special occasion, a treat in a tea cup that will make you stop and savour the moment.” Angela
Boutique Snow Dragon Green Tea Loose Leaf
This tea is specially sourced from Mannong Tea Garden, and ancient tea forest in Yunnan, South West China. Only the broad leaves are picked from fully matured tea bushes, some of which are 1,000 years old.
Produced early Spring, this very special Snow Dragon Green Tea combines a smooth, refined taste with subtle tropical fruit notes and a delicious nutty character.
Boutique Tie Guan Yin Oolong Green Tea Loose Leaf
The Xuan En tea gardens lie in a remote mountainous area of western Hubei province, China, in the upper reaches of the great Yangtze River. The sub-tropical climate and rich soil provide the perfect conditions for growing exceptional quality teas.
Tie Guan Yin, known as ‘the iron goddess of mercy’, is the most famous Oolong tea. It has a smooth, buttery flavour and is reminiscent of orchard flowers and dried apricots.
Boutique Single Estate Darjeeling Tea Tents
This outstanding tea is from Darjeeling’s esteemed Lingia Estate, situated close to the border of Nepal. Nestled in the Golden Top Valley about 30 kilometres to the west of Darjeeling town, it boasts spectacular views of the snow-clad Kanchenjunga Mountain the third highest peak in the world.
A delightful tea, boasting a light yet fragrant character and a delicious ‘muscatel’ quality unique to Darjeeling.
“Darjeeling is described as ‘the Champagne of tea’ and the attractive presentation of Clipper’s Boutique Darjeeling reinforces the promise that the contents will be special. The ‘tea-tents’ arrive in a beautiful canister, designed with an inner seal to retain flavour.
Following the suggested method I used fresh boiling water, which I poured over the tea-tent, leaving three minutes for infusion. The tea-tents allowed the full flavour of the leaves to be released, and the resulting brew was amber in colour, bright and clear. The aroma had the honeyed sweetness of a hay meadow with light malty undertones.
I enjoyed the tea without milk. It was refreshing and delicious; thirst quenching with no bitterness or dry aftertaste – and much cheaper than Champagne!
Clipper Boutique Darjeeling is a tea I will continue to drink, and because it looks and tastes so special, it would also make a stylish and inexpensive gift.” Elizabeth
“After trying the tea, the general consensus around the office was that this tea was a smooth and flavoursome tea, and some got a fruity aftertaste.”
“….. if this tea was a person, I would definitely name it George Clooney!” Samantha
Boutique Single Estate Assam Tea Tents
This premium quality, second flush orthodox Assam is from the esteemed Borengajuli tea estate, found deep in the jungle of the Mangaldai area of Assam. The Himalayas provide a striking backdrop to this renowned producer of exceptional tea, thought to have been established as early as 1877.
Single estate Assam is a full-bodied tea with a rich golden colour and an intense malty character.
“The Clipper Boutique Assam tea has a lovely dark colour and rich aroma when brewed. I allow it to brew for 3 minutes in order to release the full taste and natural antioxidants. The strong flavour has a distinctly earthy taste which is perfect to pick you up at any time of day. I would definitely recommend this tea for anyone who enjoys a full flavoured tea – it’s certainly not for the weak! ” Fiona
Boutique English Breakfast Tea Tents
The Assam in this very special blend comes from the highly acclaimed Borengajuli Tea Estate nestled in the lower Bhutan Hills. The Ceylon Tea is sourced from Bamarakelly Tea Estate in Nuwara Eliya which is Sri Lanka’s highest tea growing region. Many of the finest Ceylon teas are produced in this area.
This first rate orthodox English Breakfast tea is a perfect blend of rich, malty Assam balanced with a flavourful, fragrant and citrusy Ceylon.
“As a new mum, finding the time for a little relaxation is few and far between. So when I was selected as a Clipper Sipper to review April’s tea of the month, the Boutique English Breakfast, I gave a little cheer for the chance to sit down, put my feet up and have a good cuppa. This tea is very refreshing with a clear citrusy taste – ideal first thing in the morning to wake you up. It also tastes great with a splash of milk. Although there are only 15 teabags in each tin, this would be perfect as the one special cup of tea in the morning just for you. Not only does this tea taste brilliant, it also comes gorgeously packaged in a pretty floral tin to keep your tea fresh and the silky tea tents add a touch of glamour to any tea making duty. ” Laura
Thanks again to all of you who entered and for all of you who took the time to sip away, and then scribble a review.
If you would like to try out and review our May Tea of the Month just give us your details and tell us why you should be our next Clipper Sipper.
Don’t forget for the whole of April you can get a whopping 20% off all six of our Boutique Teas when you buy from our online shop.