358 Tasting Notes
Picked up some of these bubbles a bit ago, and they also threw one extra into my order.
I probably should have used a teapot, because this was one seriously oversized bubble compared to what I was expecting. 11 grams! Gave it a rinse and a rest before the first steep, which poured out a deep red.
For me, this tasted of mushroom and some alcohol…not sure which exact one. Nice dark fruit notes, good smoothness and an all around enjoyable session!
Flavors: Alcohol, Fruity, Mushrooms
Preparation
Received a sample of a roasted yerba mate recently, which I’ve never had in my life before. rhinkle and I drank it last week, if I recall correctly, and it was actually quite good. Steeping it was interesting, but it ended up being quite houjicha-like in flavor. Sweet, roasted nuts, smooth. And, fortunately, there was no jittery caffeine high.
After having recently randomly spent a night when I couldn’t sleep reading up on yerba mate forums and now having finally tried it, I’d definitely be interested in exploring it more.
Flavors: Roasted Nuts, Sweet
Preparation
Apparently I didn’t really take notes on this one when I tried it, but I do recall it being fairly sencha-like in its flavor profile. Sweet and vegetal in aroma and probably similar in flavor. I remember it being enjoyable enough, but despite the cost, I will often reach for a shaded green before a daily drinker sencha-style green.
Flavors: Sweet, Vegetal
Preparation
This is one we had from an order rhinkle made quite a while back now and we had a session with it recently.
Nice, dark liquor with an appreciable sweetness overlaying notes of mushroom and fruit. Very smooth in texture with a subtle creaminess that lasted several steeps.
Easy to drink and affordable.
Flavors: Fruity, Mushrooms, Sweet
Preparation
2006 yiwu from curated puerh box.
Had a couple of sessions with this sample over the past week. Fairly sweet aroma comes off the of dry leaves with a bit of smokiness becoming apparent once they’re wet. First steep pours a surprisingly deep amber with a piney, floral flavor and a bit of a drying sensation in the mouth.
Lost steep two of this one, as I just inexplicably lost my grip on the gaiwan and spilled it all. I did get a full session the second time with this and got more of the above-mentioned flavors with some gentle smokiness.Flavors: Floral, Pine, Smoke
Preparation
2004 date aroma ripe from curated puerh box
Been making a point to drink through more of my shou samples lately and gave this one a try after it’d had plenty of time to rest following its travels. This shou is sweet-smelling when dry and sweet and mushroomy when wet.
Gave this one a wash to start, and the first steep poured a light red. Flavor profile was sweet with prominent mushroom notes and a hint of something vegetal at the end. A cooling sensation developed and extended well into the aftertaste.
Overall, this one was creamy and clean, with a sweetness that built throughout the session.
creamy, clean,
sweetness comes out more after a few more steeps
Flavors: Creamy, Mushrooms, Smooth, Sweet
Preparation
Finished the last of this sample up recently. I really enjoyed the sweet aroma of the dry leaf, and the overall sweet taste of the tea. Having likened it to a sencha in my first session, my last session reminded me more of a white in regards to the flavor profile. Smooth and good, I think this is definitely one worth trying, especially right after the harvest.
Flavors: Smooth, Sweet
Got a sample of this in my last order and recently got around to trying it. I took my time because, as I’ve mentioned again and again, I usually gravitate towards sheng more than shou.
This sample broke apart fairly easily and the leaves are nice and dark. I had totally forgotten how this tea was described, so I was shocked by the sweet, ricey aroma that emerged as soon as the water hit the leaves. Liquor started out a clearish red and quickly darkened over the next two steeps.
This tea has an addicting sweetness, and it’s ricey and smooth from the very first sip, even without washing it. The sweet aftertaste is strong and lingers with a faint hint of salt, which really boosts it and balances it out.
This is absolutely my favorite shou that I’ve tried from BLT!
Flavors: Rice, Smooth, Sweet
Preparation
Had a second session with this one a bit ago since I received a sample from a tea friend who I failed to inform that I already have brick. >_<
But I find it interesting to taste teas that I have that come from others, since it gives me a chance to see how regional and storage differences can affect how the tea tastes.
I’ve been quite fond of huangpian lately but very selective when it comes to Yiwu tea, so this one is an interesting experience. Dry leaf smells sweet and fruity and steeps out to a light gold liquor. The flavor is sweet and fruity, with a slight hint of tobacco smoke developing in the nose.
I’ll enjoy continuing to come back to this one over time and comparing it to other hps from the same area!
Flavors: Fruity, Smoke, Sweet, Tobacco