Thanks to Nio Tea for providing this sample, which is my first stem tea. I’ve been curious whether using stems affects the taste or longevity of a tea, and now I can find out! I steeped 5 g of leaf in 150 ml of 140F water for 60, 20, 20, 30, 40, 60, 90, 120, and 240 seconds.
The dry aroma is of squash, spinach, grass, and florals. The first steep has soft notes of squash, spinach, grass, hay, butter, and umami, with a thick body and grassy aftertaste. I get kale, squash, spinach, butter, umami, minerals, and some floral hints (narcissus?) in the next couple steeps. Subsequent steeps are sweeter, more earthy, and less green, with that thick body and some dryness.
This tea is kind of similar to the Gyokuro Cha Meijin that I had a few days ago. They share the squash, thick body, and floral hints, though this tea is softer and less intense. It lasted for fewer steeps and was a bit more grassy, which is possibly due to the stems.
If you possibly still need more tea after this weekend, Nio’s Black Friday sale is going on till November 30. You can get up to 69% off and an additional 10% discount with the code LEAFHOPPER10OFF (I get a small commission).
Also, I probably should have asked this earlier, but is it okay to post these discounts on Steepster? The samples were given to me for free, but I do get a commission if people use the code. I want to be as transparent as possible.
Flavors: Butter, Earth, Floral, Grass, Hay, Kale, Mineral, Narcissus, Spinach, Squash, Thick, Umami, Vegetal
Preparation
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I don’t see a trouble that you share a code and you get a commission. There were people sharing their website and I believe they will get some money from the ads there too.
Yes, I used to notice people sharing links to their sites, though it doesn’t happen so much anymore. Just wanted to hear what the community thought about it.
I think you’re good, since you’re making your connection to the seller very clear.
I agree with gmathis!
Glad to know everyone is okay with it! :) Based on my very limited experience, these teas are decent, though not at the level of premium sellers like Thés du Japon. I’m not sure they’ll convert me into a Japanese green tea drinker, though I’m finding a few things I like. Basically, the discount is there for anyone who wants it.
I don’t see a trouble that you share a code and you get a commission. There were people sharing their website and I believe they will get some money from the ads there too.
Yes, I used to notice people sharing links to their sites, though it doesn’t happen so much anymore. Just wanted to hear what the community thought about it.
I think you’re good, since you’re making your connection to the seller very clear.
I agree with gmathis!
Glad to know everyone is okay with it! :) Based on my very limited experience, these teas are decent, though not at the level of premium sellers like Thés du Japon. I’m not sure they’ll convert me into a Japanese green tea drinker, though I’m finding a few things I like. Basically, the discount is there for anyone who wants it.