Mirkwood

Found this sample tucked away in a tin in the back of my cupboard. wasn’t entirely sure what blend it was until i saw the iconic patterned morel mushroom bits. It has been a long time since this tea was sampled out to me, but I was excited to dive into it.

After a quick rinse and a couple of flash steeps it’s clear that this tea is still kickin’. Silky smooth without being too muddy, the shou is a good base to match the morel’s umami. This tea is without a doubt, savory. There’s a hint of cinnamon, herb, and petrichor that marries the mushroom in a way that made me think of beef stroganoff. But in a tasty way. each infusion of the leaves made a thick soup (almost literally here lol) that I thoroughly enjoyed, despite it’s forgotten about storage.

Did I pick out the morel mushroom pieces and cook them with my quinoa that night? You bet your shou pu I did.

Mmmmmmm. Mellow, mushroomy sip of umami. And comforting, like my mommy : ) Earthy and yet clear, not muddy or musty. I love it and hope to always have this tea in my cupboard. I’m hoping Brenden will re-blend this one again soon.

Okay all, Mirkwood is finally in my tea cupboard! Woo! I’ve wanted some ever since the teaplets went on and on and on about it! ;)

The dry leaf is pretty cool. Lots of dried morels in there. Smells good.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/97273956@N03/16164830670/

I brewed it up gong fu-style because that’s how I like my shou. Right away, I could tell this was going to be more savory, like soup. It tastes slightly salty, like a broth. You can still taste the earthiness of the puerh but the broth flavor blends in over the top. I also noticed spicy notes that appear at the end of the sip. The liquor is smooth and clear with absolutely no funk. The texture/mouthfeel of the tea includes a mushroom creaminess, or slime, whatever you want to call it! In a good way! Ha!

I looked up morels, as I’ve never had one, and supposedly they have a nutty taste. I can see that.

Overall, this is like drinking a super refined and deliciously smooth and clear mushroom broth, but better. It’s really good. Really freaking good.

Ah, The Mirk. I love this so very much. It is rich and deep and savory. As others have noted, its tastes brothy/soupy. It is definitely reminiscent of mushroom soup, slightly salty and very earthy. But not earthy in a dirty way (although I also enjoy that nice dirt taste as well – but then I’m a gardener).

There is a wee bit of tongue tingle and a nice bit of relaxation, but for me this one is all about the taste. This is perfect for sleety cold day going on outside my house right now. I’m oh so happy to be snuggled in my nook with The Mirk – pure comfort.

Edited to add:

http://instagram.com/p/xrYjVzQx-w/?modal=true

Ok, ok, I know, I know…I just reviewed this tea a few days ago…but fuck! It’s so good!!!! (Oops, can we say fuck on Steepster? Cause well…um…I just did…sorry :-/ )

Yes…that’s all I have to say. See previous review. Get this. It’s yum.

And yo! I’m having it with the Teaplets this morning, weehee!!!

So I was having tea in the nook with the teaplets today, and we got to talking about the Mirk and I decided I wanted to drink some. I ran downstairs to the main tea area, but I COULD NOT FIND IT. I started to have a total cow, running around screaming, “Emergency, Emergency! Level 5 mirk alert! The mirk is MIA!!!”

I searched everywhere for the little brown mirk bag. I worked myself into a tizzy and then realized that the mirk was in a large WP bag, not a mini bag. So I found it, made the tea, and am now happily sipping. Tragedy averted!!!

Oh mirk, how I love thee. Warm and soupy on a freezing cold PA day. <3