1908 Tasting Notes
My second shot at this tea. I think I might have ‘over-cooked’ the leaves a bit because they’re a bit bitter-tasting, though it’s not too bad. Angrboda, how long/at what temp do you normally steep this tea?
I’ve noticed that, unlike many of the oolongs I’ve tried, this has some similar notes to a green tea, so maybe the steeping temperature should be lower accordingly. I wish I had more experience with oolong teas.
Preparation
To be honest I haven’t a clue. Sometimes I’ve used boiling water and sometimes I’ve let it cool a bit. I don’t really pay much attention to that in general. I’m winging it most of the time. Same with steeping time.
Oolongs are weird. Imagine them being on a spectrum between greens and blacks. You have blacker tasting oolongs and greener tasting oolongs.
If I have enough time to do the Gong Fu method, I will use 190F water for about 30-45 seconds a steep. I usually do about 4 steeps in a session (the tea could probably handle more infusions, but I’m personally done at 4). If you just want one cup, try the 190F water for about 2 minutes… 3 minutes max. Hope that helps!
This is my last bag of this tea – unless I manage to unearth another from the depths of my tea cabinet. That actually happens semi-often; I’ll be looking for something different and then find a random teabag I didn’t know I had. :D
I’m usually pretty hard on brands like Twinings, but I have to say that their Lady Grey is a winner.
Preparation
Thanks Ricky for reminding me about this tea! (Don’t worry, there’s lots left for you.) ~_^
It’s an excellent dessert tea and with a splash of milk it’s smooth and creamy.
Preparation
My second try at this tea and I reduced the steeping time in hopes that would tone down the flavour a bit.
When I opened the tin I noticed that there’s some sort of sticky residue on the inside of the tin – presumably from the leaves. I’m almost afraid to ask what it might be from. o_0 The smell of the dry leaves is still a veritable kick upside the nostrils. My brain seems to be interpreting it as a cross between Old Dutch Dill Pickle potato chips and those candy cinnamon hearts that always show up in the stores for Valentine’s Day.
When I tasted the tea I braced myself, but it actually wasn’t that aweful. Ignoring Adagio’s steeping recs definitely paid off, I think. It has a watery, green flavour that does in fact remind me off freshly-cut, raw cucumber.
So in short, not a fantastic tea but I honestly don’t think that it’s as horrible as everyone’s saying it is. ;)
Preparation
Drinking a mug of this while cooking (or attempting to) muffins. I think I’d be more annoyed with the lack of goji flavour in this tea if not for the fact that I really like strawberries. :D