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Cameron B. drank Ma Liu Mi by Masters Teas

4330 tasting notes

Adagio CommuniTEA – April 4th, 2023

I was wondering if they were going to include any Masters teas in the communiTEA, and lo and behold, here we are! I wasn’t sure if I’d had this type of oolong before, but I think I have as it seems to be the Cantonese name for “monkey picked”.

This is a very mellow oolong. The description mentions florals, but I’m happy that I don’t get a lot of floral notes here. It’s overall very smooth and thick, with a nice creamy texture to it. It has a sparkling mineral note that reminds me of drinking from a stream, and some gentle grassiness. There’s a touch of a toasty note, just enough to make it a bit cozy without overwhelming the flavor. A dried apricot fruitiness comes out in the finish, and lingers pleasantly on the tongue.

Definitely not a very complex tea to my tastebuds, but still very enjoyable. Though I think lovers of greener oolongs might be missing the floral notes here. Personally, I’m happy to be missing them. ;)

Flavors: Apricot, Clear, Creamy, Dry Grass, Fruity, Mineral, Roasted, Silky, Smooth, Spring Water, Stonefruit, Tart, Thick, Toasty

Preparation

190 °F / 87 °C 3 min, 0 sec 16 OZ / 473 ML

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Bio

Hi, I’m Cameron!

I’m a 30-something software engineer currently living in Austin, Texas with my husband and our two pugs, Gobo and Ume. I tend to cycle between my different hobbies, and they include piano, knitting, video games, board games, miniature painting, planners, bento, Korean skincare, and – of course – TEA! But really, what I’m best at is “collecting” hobby-related things… ;)

~ 2025 SIPDOWN CHALLENGE! ~
- February sipdowns: 5
- Total 2025 sipdowns: 39

I prefer my tea lukewarm or at room temperature and without milk or sugar. I steep Western style, and fluctuate between using big mugs or small teapots depending on the season.

I am always up for a swap! Just let me know if you’d like to try something in my cupboard.

Tea Preferences:
I enjoy both flavored and unflavored teas in many forms. These days, I drink mostly flavored teas, and I tend to gravitate most toward black, green, oolong, and herbal varieties. I do have a special fondness for straight Japanese green teas, however.

I do not sweeten my teas, and pre-sweetened teas are usually too sweet for me. I also do not enjoy stevia (or monkfruit, etc.).

I tend to reach for fruitier flavors rather than desserty ones these days, but I do have favorites from both categories. Willing to try anything once! There are a few ingredients/flavors that aren’t generally my jam, such as coconut, rose, lavender, and chocolate flavoring. But I also have teas that I love with some of those things, too! :)

Favorite Companies:
3 Leaf
Bird & Blend
Dammann Frères
Harney & Sons
Kyoto Obubu Tea Farms
Lupicia
Old Barrel Tea Co
Simpson & Vail
Taiwan Tea Crafts
TeaVivre

Tea Rating Scale:
90-100: Outstanding! Permanent cupboard resident
80-89: Great – a possible staple
70-79: Good, but I wouldn’t buy it
60-69: It’s decent
50-59: Meh… I may or may not have finished the cup
40-49: Ick. Couldn’t finish it.
00-39: Repulsive, I spat it out

I will sometimes refrain from rating a tea if I feel I’m too biased due to my personal dislikes, or if I suspect the sample has been compromised by age or scent contamination.

Cupboard Spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZEuKf1-ppR-VXajO4vV39zU1N3zjFJteEPAynqD2yl0/edit?usp=sharing