Teance High Mountain Dark Roast

Two old friends saddle up to the tea bar at Teance. One presents a coupon for T42 which was given to her at a Teance tea sampling at Berkeley Bowl. The other looks her friend, unsure what to order as she is a coffee drinker. The tea drinker asks the server to recommend an oolong; she has been drinking a lot of green teas. The server recommends High Mountain Dark Roast. The listing is not accompanied by a description, but both friends agree, from steep one to steep 6, that it is buttery and yeasty.







Our server is the owner's brother. He thinks the tea drinker's enthusiasm could get a her a job at Teance. He tells the friends other things. He tells them that gaiwan means covered cup (the tea drinker already knew this -- a gaiwan is on her wishlist). He tells them that red tea is the same as black tea; it is called red tea in China and Taiwan because of the color of the brew.





The friend also drink the Royal Courtesan oolong. It was a very enjoyable bonding experience!

Macha cupcakes and tea party

Following on the previous post, a visit by a friend from the East Coast was the impetus for special tea drinking. We had a tea luncheon at Imperial Tea Court followed by a tea party with vanilla and macha cupcakes. The vanilla cupcakes, pictured above, are based on the recipe by Magnolia Bakery. The tea is from Steap in Philadelphia.

Rinse, steep, drink: Three friends at Imperial Tea Court

Everyone falls in love with Imperial Tea Court in Berkeley. The tea and snacks are delicious, but the waterfall at the entry is delightful! My third visit to Imperial Tea was made in January of this year with two friends. That afternoon of savory tea was a precursor to a sweeter experience about a week later (future post).



We ate fresh steamed buns and green onion pancakes (pictured above). There might have been a third dish. We definitely ordered three gaiwan services: Jasmine Pearl, Imperial Silver Needle, and I ordered Gold Oolong (with a slightly nutty taste). I did not record tasting impressions, but we left happy.


Imperial Silver Needle, at 30 seconds (right)