A teapot time.
I have used all 8 grams received from Derk in the session today morning and in the teapot; to share this tea with other family members. Thank you derk!
I have used 90°C water and steeped for 3 minutes. After we have finished first session, I decided to brew myself second session and steeped again for 3 minutes. There is no lose in the flavours and the leaves were almost lifting up the lid of the pot. I am sure there would be more steeps possible, but I haven’t made them.
I find this tea rather hard to describe. It is a wonderful and very, very complex tea with aroma of florals, herbals, and tropical fruits. Very ripe mango and bananas, in my opinon; combined with some, a little savoury, herbs. I wasn’t able to point out them, but then I read the description for medium roast version and I am pretty sure it is galangal, something I tried during the advent season for (probably) very first time. It was kind of spicy, but not fiery… rather piney as derk notices there.
There is an extremely long aftertaste, and overall high enjoyment of the tea not only from me, but also family members. As my mom described: “Delicate and mellow, with full of flavour.” When I examined the steeped leaves, I could show them the bugbitten leaves and explained them how it contributes to the taste and… yep I liked it very much because of it too. It has got a sweet finish, mouthcoating qualities and if there is something I am sad about, it’s that I will hardly try this tea again.
Of course, I am sure Song Tea would send me some, even they don’t specify shipping on their website; but to be honest, it is kind of expensive for me.
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Wow! This sounds like quite the tea! Bug-bitten, rugged mountain garden too steep for commercial picking, AND galangal! Thanks for the tasting notes!
I’m not sure if this is the Dong Ding that Derk sent me a while ago, but if so, I also loved it! Since receiving three samples of Song teas from Derk, I’ve been contemplating ordering from this company. A Different Eighteen is still easily the best Ruby 18 I’ve had.
The best Ruby 18? Now I am very intrigued!
It’s called A Different Eighteen and is apparently charcoal roasted. It’s fruity, chocolatey, minty, balanced, and sweet, without the tannins that usually push me away from this type of tea. Truly worth the $1/g they’re charging for it. Is it worth an extra $25 to ship to Canada? I’ve been thinking about it for about a year, so yes, it probably is.
TeaEarleGreyHot: it is indeed the tea. I like the back-story too! And galangal flavour seems to be a new favorite to me.
Leafhopper: Based on the tasting notes, you had the medium roast version, but it definitely doesn’t mean you didn’t had this one. I have also A Different Eighteen and I can’t wait to try it out. And yep, those teas seems to be so unique to try, even that expensive. But of course, I am trying to be a little more restraint than you.
ashmanra: I am not surprised :D
You’re right, I did have the medium roast. Another fantastic tea! Song is definitely a splurge, especially with international shipping.
Wow! This sounds like quite the tea! Bug-bitten, rugged mountain garden too steep for commercial picking, AND galangal! Thanks for the tasting notes!
I’m not sure if this is the Dong Ding that Derk sent me a while ago, but if so, I also loved it! Since receiving three samples of Song teas from Derk, I’ve been contemplating ordering from this company. A Different Eighteen is still easily the best Ruby 18 I’ve had.
The best Ruby 18? Now I am very intrigued!
It’s called A Different Eighteen and is apparently charcoal roasted. It’s fruity, chocolatey, minty, balanced, and sweet, without the tannins that usually push me away from this type of tea. Truly worth the $1/g they’re charging for it. Is it worth an extra $25 to ship to Canada? I’ve been thinking about it for about a year, so yes, it probably is.
TeaEarleGreyHot: it is indeed the tea. I like the back-story too! And galangal flavour seems to be a new favorite to me.
Leafhopper: Based on the tasting notes, you had the medium roast version, but it definitely doesn’t mean you didn’t had this one. I have also A Different Eighteen and I can’t wait to try it out. And yep, those teas seems to be so unique to try, even that expensive. But of course, I am trying to be a little more restraint than you.
ashmanra: I am not surprised :D
You’re right, I did have the medium roast. Another fantastic tea! Song is definitely a splurge, especially with international shipping.