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Had this at work today. Three quick steeps, and threw out the brew, and then made three cups. I took the third (so technically, the 5th steeping after the first wash). The tea tastes like dried apricots, and is very conveniently packed (which is why this is my “at work” pu’er). It needs sugar or honey to really, really shine in my opinion, even though it is sweet. There’s something about the aftertaste that is still rough and raw, and a sweetener of some kind will take the edge off.

I had a truly exhausting day. Having this before bedtime. Tomorrow perhaps I’ll have some time for a few more sip downs. Trying to clear some tea cupboard room, and to get a taste of more than just my go-to teas.

Last cup of the day. This tea smells and tastes like freshly baked bread, or sweet wheat sheaves. It has a completely different flavour profile than Verdant’s Ya Bao, and in my opinion is much, much better. It is smooth and soft, where Verdant’s is harsh and prickly, and it recalls sweet rice or bread or wheat, and not green pines. And for a nice surprise after every sip – open your mouth slightly, and let air waft in.
One of my favourite teas, with a constant place in my cupboard, and my top five. A true evening comfort tea, and an instant pick-me-up.

This is very astringent today, I don’t know why. No smokeyness – just a powerful astingency. Running low on this tea – I have around 5 brews left, I guess.

This is not as good as Gillard’s Kenya, but it will most definitely do.

I don’t usually appreciate smokey teas much, mainly because those that I had used massive amounts of smokey flavouring to cover the taste of poor quality tea. This sample, from the kind and wonderful Terri, surprised me. It’s not overpoweringly smokey, but more in the range of Keemun smokey. It also has a sweetness, and even a slight nuttiness to it. Very nice, although I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to stock it. This is more a matter of personal preference than a matter of the tea being of poor quality. By all means, if you like smokey teas, this one is probably a must. Thank you for the experience Terri! Even though this was a sip down, I may try to resteeep what I have, just to see how it resteeps.

Silky tea with a medium body and some astringency. Tastes like raisins and stone fruit, and too light bodied for milk.

Had a morning cup of this tea, which actually rebrews really well. Managed to get 5 steeping out of it (to share with five people). A good, bass-y, slightly smokey, strong tea.
I wish that I had some more…

At the tail-end of a day of back-to-back meetings, I made a cup of this tea for me, two of my regular office tea pals, and the security guard in the entrance to our building. It’s cold outside, and some of them are sniffling with the cold, and so the cup was very gratefully received. When you make yourself a cup, take some time to look around and see if anyone else won’t appreciate a comforting beverage, especially at this time of year. You may make someone’s day…

Brewed a strong cup of this, as a bedtime treat. It is a wonderful reddish-copper. This tea can be taken plain, but seems to love sugar. That just makes its cookie taste pop!