I only started my tea journey with you in February after some green tea was served in a spa. I´m a mythical lion now ;-) My favourite teas so far are Amber Gaba, Bling Rock, Kabuse Seakari, White or King Peony and Souchong Liquour. Thanks for showing me a new world.
was on a work trip when I ordered Nug Potion. Today is first day back from trip and I saw the release of this video. Figured I would sit down for a session with Nug Potion and watch the video. First taste for me said “best ripe I’ve ever tasted” and lo and behold it’s Don’s Tea of the Year. Great job guys all choices are excellent.
This christmas Eve, it was me and my mum. She was unintelligibly drunk by 10pm. Alcohol tasted like poison, so I stopped drinking. I never missed alcohol that much, but as a Belgian, I was a bit sad to lose all the taste aspect of beer and wine. But I looked into tea, and now I'm happily trying lots and lots of different flagrance. My first encounter with lose leave tea was when a rasta guy from west africa made me the tea of the desert - the first one's sweet as love, the second one's strong as life, the third one bitter as death. Then I lived in Ireland - second tea consumer per capita after turkey. I did drink load of those teabags, and coming back there i still get some good Barry's. Now thanks to you guys I'm discoverin all those chinese / japanse teas and how to get the most out of them. Warm thanks for everything you're doing
I'm also very excited about the ageing of floating lotus. I didn't drink it this year as much as other teas like Jade Star 7 but I got a feeling that floating lotus will be one of my favourites in 5-10 years.
I, personally, enjoy when you include teas that are of the same tea type and teas that are sold out. Then it doesn't limit your opinions. I enjoy it when I have the same tea in my top 5. Nug Potion is delightful. I got 2 packets, tasted it, knew I made a mistake and instantly picked up a pouch as well. I then got to enjoy a Nug Potion and Nug Berry "A and B." What a treat!
Not surprised ripe is number one for both of you - Don, you got me hooked on the first roasted ripe tea you did - and I was obsessed. I always go for ripe now. It’s just the type I prefer if given some choice. Thank you (though my wife is not impressed with how many I now keep)!?!?
It’s so enjoyable to watch you fret over which tea to pick…because you love them all not because I’m a sadist. Your curating service is invaluable and your love for tea is infectious As for my top 5…I destroyed my tea budget this year buying up cakes of Luminary Misfit and I’m going to break a rule by saying Seven Villages Yiwu was my favorite. It was revelatory for me. In no particular order: Jelly Juice Vampire, Cocoa Malt Queen, Lost Robe were my other favorites and worth disrupting my mission of acquiring a lifetime supply of Luminary Misfit. (Also, a shoutout to the original Flower Crane. It’s still my absolute favorite and I’m so glad I still get to indulge in it.)
Little Tong Mu has been such a workhorse for me this year, whatever I'm in the mood for that day, I can always turn to that one and find what I'm looking for. I bought extras to gift to others 😁
I can only comment about Celine’s #1 pick,Hip Cuddler,as,sadly,I do not own Nug potion! Hip cuddler,I only just recieved it less than a week ago,it is truly a delight. It has a brewing arc that reveals chapters like a great book. My brain was blown at chapters 4 and 5,according to my steeping technique! Simple dreams is a fine fine thing,I can always turn to it for,well,yes,it’s simplicity,as it just delivers an experience that I know will happen,a great tea that doesn’t surprise,it delivers the expected,which is a high expectation indeed. My favourite,from last year,ahh,I’m going to get the name wrong,as I always refer to it as Emeror Supreme,that’s a SUPER tea,it’s one that just keeps on going,like a never ending story. But,yeah,I agree,Hip Cuddler for this year. Gotta see if Nug Potion is still available…
I accidentally stumbled upon this COMPLETELY new world back in June; I think I was reading about green tea… and I fell FAR down the rabbit hole. I couldn’t be more grateful, and as a Mythical Lion in less than 6 months…more broke 😂!! Thank you, Don and Celine; I’m truly enjoying this new journey. Mine are: 5) Candy Ice Cruncher 4) Ancient Haze 3) Nug Potion 2) close tie between Diamond Twilight & Floating Lotus 1) Jam Ambassador
Thanks for yet another wonderful year! This year I loved Pear Cloud, Koji Plum, Long Jin Supreme, Floating Lotus and my all-time favourites Amber GABA and Souchong Liquor. Can't wait to try all your teas next year.
Another year ending with MeiLeaf! I love spending this time with you! You make it feel so special because of the celebrations and games you make for us 😊 I believe its each year harder because you each year gets better in curating and selecting your stunning collection! Thanks again for bringing so much joy to me ❤
Difficult choices indeed :) Here's my Top 5 for 2023: 1 Nug Potion, 2 Jelly Juice Vampire, 3 Diamond Twilight, 4 Singbully Gold, 5 Sovereign Bud. Hard to choose between so many delicious teas. I'm sure going to keep up drinking the excellent stuf!
I have been buying teas from you guys only for a couple of months now. I have already bought Floating Lotus twice, Nug Potion twice, and the Hip Cuddler is on the way. I am worried that Floating Lotus will not have any time to age with me though.
Love floating Lotus and with i had another cake or two squirreled away. Have an odd relationship with Ripes- love BP Tycoon but do find my stomach struggles a bit with them.
I have always been a lover of Lapsang Souchong tea, and have recently been prepping to dive into my tea journey with Pu'erh, thanks to your wonderful half hour long, PERFECT video on how to prepare and enjoy it it. I am now looking at tea sets and am wondering which you would recommend - genuine jade or ceramic? Many thanks, gong fu chai sifu!
Is this a bogus Mei Leaf video? Celine is on the right-hand side! I’m totally out of whack! 🌱🥃🌱 I love how Celine starts every session with her hair down, then sets to business, puts it up, and starts the serious drinking. 🌱🥃🌱 I know how the game works, but so many good teas get left out. Did you tell us on previous years why you don’t pick a top tea from each type, then a best in show? 🌱🥃🌱 I agree best huangpian is ASM. Love it! But my TOTY has to be JS6. :-( 🌱🥃🌱 I always look forward to your annual “Best of” video. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Tammy and me to both of you, Aiyana, and Mishkin. Also, all in the shop. 🎄🥧🎄 🎉🥂🎉
In order to avoid this bias against spring teas that are a bit old in the memory, maybe this should be a bi-annual (as in, twice a year) thing? Have the "start of year" top teas and "end of year" top teas, instead of a single yearly selection.
@@OCteahead Just like biweekly, biannual can be used to say either twice a year or once every two years. Semiannual is the less confusing way to say it, but it's also less fun.
I have...no idea what you're talking about lol. Not a Taylor Swift fan. Don't comment on people's weight unprompted. Pretty simple. Valuing "thinness" is why you have so many people who struggle with eating disorders and/or suicidal self esteem. I know people who have lost weight because of traumatic incidents and then were told how great they look. It's messed up. You never know why people lose/gain weight. Re-evaluate what's appropriate to say to strangers. @@paulcasino9511
I have...no idea what you're talking about. Not a Taylor Swift fan. Don't comment on people's bodies unprompted. It's really not difficult. People lose/gain weight for a variety of reasons. I have a friend who lost a lot of weight due to trauma and kept getting positive comments about it. Also, contributing to the narrative that thinness is more valuable creates a culture that promotes eating disorders and self esteem issues. Try and think critically. @@paulcasino9511
Not sure where my comment keeps going. Are you deleting it? Either way -- don't comment on people's weight unprompted. Pretty fucking simple. I personally know people who have lost weight due to trauma and were complimented on it. Not to mention the plethora of eating disorders and suicidal thoughts that come with a culture that only values thinness. So how about instead of speculating on my music taste, you do some introspection on what is and is not appropriate to comment on. Someone may take it as a compliment but there are plenty of others who read comments like yours and feel like shit. PS Taylor Swift if the most carbon polluting celebrity. And she dated someone who said he watches p*rn where Black women are degraded. So, no. I'm not a fan. She is the poster child of white feminism. You seem to be chronically online if you think that's some kind of insult though.@@paulcasino9511
My 5 favorites (with ties) for 2023: HM: Push Button Smile & Fig Butter Black (2023 batches) 5. Lao Cong Milan 4. Nug Potion 2. Floating Lotus / Diamond Twilight (Lotus for taste and aging potential, Twilight for body effects). 1. Shifu's Pudding - this year's batch is sublime. Please try to find more of this ugly duckling!
Really loved Pear Cloud, Nug Potion, Flying Lotus, Ruby Gaba, Juice Journo, Castleton Muscatel, Cocoa Malt Queen so far. Drinking Pear Cloud in a Nixing pot right now and it tastes like a refreshing dessert giving you a warm hug, the leaves look amazing as the unravel as well.
I only started my tea journey with you in February after some green tea was served in a spa. I´m a mythical lion now ;-) My favourite teas so far are Amber Gaba, Bling Rock, Kabuse Seakari, White or King Peony and Souchong Liquour. Thanks for showing me a new world.
Wow, when you go, you go all in! Good for you and welcome to the tea head community. 🌱🥃🌱
Wow, nice! I started my tea journey two years ago and I’m currently a “Son of a dragon”, two thirds of the way to “Man riding phoenix”. 😀
it´s not a cheap journey @@TomTheAustrian 😜
@@belesdan1886yep, that’s definitely true…
Oh, that Souchong Liquour was magical!
The excitement the two of you deliver about tea is infectious. Thanks for the content…
Seriously ! 😂😂
was on a work trip when I ordered Nug Potion. Today is first day back from trip and I saw the release of this video. Figured I would sit down for a session with Nug Potion and watch the video. First taste for me said “best ripe I’ve ever tasted” and lo and behold it’s Don’s Tea of the Year.
Great job guys all choices are excellent.
I love that wonderful, artistic description of your number one, Celine. 😂😂😂 👍🏻❤️
This christmas Eve, it was me and my mum. She was unintelligibly drunk by 10pm. Alcohol tasted like poison, so I stopped drinking. I never missed alcohol that much, but as a Belgian, I was a bit sad to lose all the taste aspect of beer and wine. But I looked into tea, and now I'm happily trying lots and lots of different flagrance. My first encounter with lose leave tea was when a rasta guy from west africa made me the tea of the desert - the first one's sweet as love, the second one's strong as life, the third one bitter as death. Then I lived in Ireland - second tea consumer per capita after turkey. I did drink load of those teabags, and coming back there i still get some good Barry's. Now thanks to you guys I'm discoverin all those chinese / japanse teas and how to get the most out of them. Warm thanks for everything you're doing
I'm also very excited about the ageing of floating lotus. I didn't drink it this year as much as other teas like Jade Star 7 but I got a feeling that floating lotus will be one of my favourites in 5-10 years.
I, personally, enjoy when you include teas that are of the same tea type and teas that are sold out. Then it doesn't limit your opinions. I enjoy it when I have the same tea in my top 5.
Nug Potion is delightful. I got 2 packets, tasted it, knew I made a mistake and instantly picked up a pouch as well. I then got to enjoy a Nug Potion and Nug Berry "A and B." What a treat!
Not surprised ripe is number one for both of you - Don, you got me hooked on the first roasted ripe tea you did - and I was obsessed. I always go for ripe now. It’s just the type I prefer if given some choice. Thank you (though my wife is not impressed with how many I now keep)!?!?
It’s so enjoyable to watch you fret over which tea to pick…because you love them all not because I’m a sadist. Your curating service is invaluable and your love for tea is infectious
As for my top 5…I destroyed my tea budget this year buying up cakes of Luminary Misfit and I’m going to break a rule by saying Seven Villages Yiwu was my favorite. It was revelatory for me. In no particular order: Jelly Juice Vampire, Cocoa Malt Queen, Lost Robe were my other favorites and worth disrupting my mission of acquiring a lifetime supply of Luminary Misfit.
(Also, a shoutout to the original Flower Crane. It’s still my absolute favorite and I’m so glad I still get to indulge in it.)
Damn fine teas, Don and Celine🫶🏻🙏🏻Happy christmas and and a jolly good nu year🥳🐲
Little Tong Mu has been such a workhorse for me this year, whatever I'm in the mood for that day, I can always turn to that one and find what I'm looking for. I bought extras to gift to others 😁
I can only comment about Celine’s #1 pick,Hip Cuddler,as,sadly,I do not own Nug potion!
Hip cuddler,I only just recieved it less than a week ago,it is truly a delight.
It has a brewing arc that reveals chapters like a great book.
My brain was blown at chapters 4 and 5,according to my steeping technique!
Simple dreams is a fine fine thing,I can always turn to it for,well,yes,it’s simplicity,as it just delivers an experience that I know will happen,a great tea that doesn’t surprise,it delivers the expected,which is a high expectation indeed.
My favourite,from last year,ahh,I’m going to get the name wrong,as I always refer to it as Emeror Supreme,that’s a SUPER tea,it’s one that just keeps on going,like a never ending story.
But,yeah,I agree,Hip Cuddler for this year.
Gotta see if Nug Potion is still available…
I accidentally stumbled upon this COMPLETELY new world back in June; I think I was reading about green tea… and I fell FAR down the rabbit hole. I couldn’t be more grateful, and as a Mythical Lion in less than 6 months…more broke 😂!! Thank you, Don and Celine; I’m truly enjoying this new journey. Mine are: 5) Candy Ice Cruncher 4) Ancient Haze 3) Nug Potion 2) close tie between Diamond Twilight & Floating Lotus 1) Jam Ambassador
Thanks for yet another wonderful year! This year I loved Pear Cloud, Koji Plum, Long Jin Supreme, Floating Lotus and my all-time favourites Amber GABA and Souchong Liquor. Can't wait to try all your teas next year.
I'm eagerly awaiting my Nug Potion delivery !!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤ love y'all !! 💪🏼💪🏼🫵🏻
Big shotout to Don and Сeline, thank you for this content, i love you guys!🧡
Another year ending with MeiLeaf! I love spending this time with you! You make it feel so special because of the celebrations and games you make for us 😊 I believe its each year harder because you each year gets better in curating and selecting your stunning collection! Thanks again for bringing so much joy to me ❤
It is truly a pleasure!
I have been teetering on starting my tea journey for some time i finally started yesterday i cant wait to see where this new venture brings me
Young gushu 23 (maybe pernickety)
Floating lotus (but simple dreams 2 is close)
Frozen summit
Koji plum
Pomelo flower honey
My top 3:
3. Forest jam (not 2023 - but still love it 😊)
2. Ball pit tycoon
1. Nug potion
Thank you for spreading the word
Love listening to you talk about tea.
Where do the names of your teas come from?
Already looking forward to next years teas!
Difficult choices indeed :) Here's my Top 5 for 2023: 1 Nug Potion, 2 Jelly Juice Vampire, 3 Diamond Twilight, 4 Singbully Gold, 5 Sovereign Bud. Hard to choose between so many delicious teas. I'm sure going to keep up drinking the excellent stuf!
Not only is nug potion delicious but the mouth feel is absolutely insane!
LOVE THIS TOP 5 - thank you for posting.
@@TheTammyMcDaniel Thnx :)
NOT SWEATY! 😂😂😂
Coming 2024, BOSOM CUDDLER!
Nug Potion and Diamond Twilight are tied for first place for me! I can't wait to try Hip Cuddler, Celine. So excited!
I have been buying teas from you guys only for a couple of months now. I have already bought Floating Lotus twice, Nug Potion twice, and the Hip Cuddler is on the way. I am worried that Floating Lotus will not have any time to age with me though.
Here's to a new amazing year of tea!
Love floating Lotus and with i had another cake or two squirreled away.
Have an odd relationship with Ripes- love BP Tycoon but do find my stomach struggles a bit with them.
I have always been a lover of Lapsang Souchong tea, and have recently been prepping to dive into my tea journey with Pu'erh, thanks to your wonderful half hour long, PERFECT video on how to prepare and enjoy it it. I am now looking at tea sets and am wondering which you would recommend - genuine jade or ceramic? Many thanks, gong fu chai sifu!
Is this a bogus Mei Leaf video? Celine is on the right-hand side! I’m totally out of whack!
🌱🥃🌱
I love how Celine starts every session with her hair down, then sets to business, puts it up, and starts the serious drinking.
🌱🥃🌱
I know how the game works, but so many good teas get left out. Did you tell us on previous years why you don’t pick a top tea from each type, then a best in show?
🌱🥃🌱
I agree best huangpian is ASM. Love it! But my TOTY has to be JS6. :-(
🌱🥃🌱
I always look forward to your annual “Best of” video. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Tammy and me to both of you, Aiyana, and Mishkin. Also, all in the shop.
🎄🥧🎄 🎉🥂🎉
Thank you both 💓
Really looking forward to it. I should get Hip Cuddler in the next few days. Maybe already tomorrow.
I Knew It!
1. Tai Ping Hou Kui 2. Diamond Twilight 3. Royal Peach Orchid 4. Amber Mountain 5. Jade Arrow Supreme
Nice brooch, Celine! ☺️
In order to avoid this bias against spring teas that are a bit old in the memory, maybe this should be a bi-annual (as in, twice a year) thing? Have the "start of year" top teas and "end of year" top teas, instead of a single yearly selection.
I agree!!! (Semi-annual, BTW) :-)
@@OCteahead Just like biweekly, biannual can be used to say either twice a year or once every two years. Semiannual is the less confusing way to say it, but it's also less fun.
How about 2024 TeaS of the Year: each top in its category - for instance. Raw, Ripe, Oolong, Green, Black, White, Yellow etc?
Wow Don you’ve lost a lot of weight, you look great. So does Celine. You guys are definitely front runners for best Power Couple of 2023.
This is...really weird to say man. That's what we call an inside thought!
@@celestialyolk oh I get it. Taylor swift fan.
I have...no idea what you're talking about lol. Not a Taylor Swift fan. Don't comment on people's weight unprompted. Pretty simple. Valuing "thinness" is why you have so many people who struggle with eating disorders and/or suicidal self esteem. I know people who have lost weight because of traumatic incidents and then were told how great they look. It's messed up. You never know why people lose/gain weight. Re-evaluate what's appropriate to say to strangers. @@paulcasino9511
I have...no idea what you're talking about. Not a Taylor Swift fan. Don't comment on people's bodies unprompted. It's really not difficult. People lose/gain weight for a variety of reasons. I have a friend who lost a lot of weight due to trauma and kept getting positive comments about it. Also, contributing to the narrative that thinness is more valuable creates a culture that promotes eating disorders and self esteem issues. Try and think critically. @@paulcasino9511
Not sure where my comment keeps going. Are you deleting it? Either way -- don't comment on people's weight unprompted. Pretty fucking simple. I personally know people who have lost weight due to trauma and were complimented on it. Not to mention the plethora of eating disorders and suicidal thoughts that come with a culture that only values thinness. So how about instead of speculating on my music taste, you do some introspection on what is and is not appropriate to comment on. Someone may take it as a compliment but there are plenty of others who read comments like yours and feel like shit. PS Taylor Swift if the most carbon polluting celebrity. And she dated someone who said he watches p*rn where Black women are degraded. So, no. I'm not a fan. She is the poster child of white feminism. You seem to be chronically online if you think that's some kind of insult though.@@paulcasino9511
Lao Dan Cong was no one for me - so creamy and delicious. Nug Potion is amazing. Push Button Smile great, candy tree supreme too. ❤
My 5 favorites (with ties) for 2023:
HM: Push Button Smile & Fig Butter Black (2023 batches)
5. Lao Cong Milan
4. Nug Potion
2. Floating Lotus / Diamond Twilight (Lotus for taste and aging potential, Twilight for body effects).
1. Shifu's Pudding - this year's batch is sublime. Please try to find more of this ugly duckling!
you guys are a lovely couple. teaheads
Is that a storm trooper on Сeline's cardigan ? Or maybe I've drank too much matcha.
What's antiquity island?
oh no, did you accidentally reveal an upcoming release? 😳😱🥸😉🙃😛😜🤪🫖🍵 is it the Carousel tea?
That was 100k subscribers celebratory tea, aged sheng from Don's magic cabinet.
@@jiri5898 didn't remember that one. Can you tell I'm excited about the Carousel game?😅
No black tea, huh?
Really loved Pear Cloud, Nug Potion, Flying Lotus, Ruby Gaba, Juice Journo, Castleton Muscatel, Cocoa Malt Queen so far. Drinking Pear Cloud in a Nixing pot right now and it tastes like a refreshing dessert giving you a warm hug, the leaves look amazing as the unravel as well.
Do you guys ever get to drink water?
Ball pit Tycoon 🤷♂️
i never rinse tea, only when its really old and skunky, like rind of a cheese. totally wrong in my opinion. all that goodness washed away
Me too. Hate ti waste even a drop! 🌱🥃🌱
Oh-so-hard to take seriously any adult who uses the word “yummy.”
Love your videos- best in the tea game