Golden Spring is such a good name for a Chinese green tea. I always admire the surprising warmth and golden tones of their teas in particular, compared to some of the harsher green notes of shade grown green teas.
This week, I’m reviewing one of those exquisite Chinese green teas from a new and upcoming tea brand called Tea Famille. I’ve summed up my tasting notes below and given a little advice on how to brew this tea.
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Tea Famille Golden Spring Tea at a Glance
Izzy’s Rating
- Tea: Chinese green tea
- Flavour: Fresh sweet green tea with notes of spring shoots and flowers
This is a very sweet and fresh green tea. The buds and small, new leaves brew into a delicate, grassy, and fresh tea. It’s really good!
Full Review – Golden Spring Green Tea
- Type: Loose leaf
- Tea: Green tea
- Origin: China
- Flavour Notes: Fresh, sweet, green tea, new grass, garden peas, daisies, marigold
- Aroma: Pollen, chamomile, sweet grass, peas, new shoots, springtime
- Milk or Lemon: Neither
- Where to Buy: Currently unavailable
I’ve been gifted this tea in small 4g sachets. When you rip open Tea Famille Golden Spring, you’re instantly hit with the aroma of a spring meadow. There’s that dusty pollen note from wildflowers, notes of chamomile and daisies, and sweet fresh grass that’s just beginning to grow. There’s a slight astringent note too, but it’s not overpowering.
Tea Famille Golden Spring brews into a pale golden yellow tea colour – I guess this is how to tea got its name. The aroma from the brewed tea is sweeter but less floral. There’s a slight vegetal note to the grassy green tea. It reminds me of eating fresh peas grown in the garden.
And the flavour is a combination of all this together. It’s very fresh and sweet to start, with peas and daisies springing to the forefront. But then mellower notes start to pull through and you can taste hints of hay and marigolds.
Although the texture is a little bit dusty, it’s very hydrating rather than drying. It rejuvenates your mouth and leaves you feeling very refreshed.
How to Brew Chinese Green Tea
This is a gentle green tea, so lower your water temperature to 80°C before you add the tea leaf. I let mine steep for 3 minutes, but I recommend you start with a 2-minute brew time and assess the strength there.
You definitely don’t want to add any milk, sugar, or lemon to this tea. It doesn’t need it. The flavour is perfect as is.
If you want to try a tea ceremony type set up, or use a gaiwan, I think this tea would be perfect for that as well.
Why Tea Famille Tea Brand?
Tea Famille approached me to send some samples and I’ve loved reviewing all of them so far! There’s not much that’s known about this currently pre-launched tea brand, but I can vouch for the high quality of their teas and delicious flavours. Golden Spring is the third Tea Famille single origin green tea I’ve reviewed so far.
Unlike some of their other green teas, this one isn’t a blend. You can see from my photos that it’s made from the tightly rolled buds and first leaves of the tea plant. It’s obvious that this is the first spring harvest, when the buds are new and just beginning to unfurl.
It’s a magnificent tea and the quality is superb.
Summary
I highly recommend this tea; the way it captures all the scents and flavours of springtime is amazing. It’s a really refreshing and energising tea. You’ll feel bright and clean after drinking it!
Tea Recommendation
Smooth green teas are so relaxing, but with just that little bit of caffeine, they’re also great for re-energising in the afternoon. If you’re looking for more high-quality loose leaf green teas like Tea Famille Golden Spring, head to my Tea Review Index to browse similar reviews.
