400 Tasting Notes
Backlog
A tea treat for everyone, apparently.
My wife and friend had both sat down to drink this as we celebrated the new “tea lounge” and study. We were able to each have an experience where neither of us disliked a tea, but had shared similarities in flavor as well as appreciation for this blend.
I realize, after have read LP’s Ode to the new adventure(s)/end of tea blending, as well as have spoken to him in person on said adventure(s), I’ve come to the realization that Liquid Proust Teas will be the new Butiki….However, unlike Butiki, I’ve had the opportunity to sip, share, and enjoy LP’s blends. So, not only do we celebrate the new room where my wife and I can study/read/write/sing/jam out on the drum set/listen to vinyls/have coffee/talk/etc., but we celebrate the new adventures for LP, our family, and friends as well.
Notes (wife): French toast without the cinnamon
Notes (friend): French toast with lots of vanilla
Notes (me): Mmmmmm
Backlog
My friend had wanted to try my favorite oolong in my collection. I had saved the last 6g of this for a “special occasion.” So what better occasion to try this again than with a tea newbie?
Now, I’ll note that I used to drink this tea differently—err, I had thought of it differently, perhaps; however, my friend had pointed out new flavors that I’ve never thought about until I really thought about the tea while drinking it with him.
My notes, without his palate would’ve read, “Honeydew, jack fruit (?), and slight pineapple.”
Yes, there are “fruity” notes to the tea, but the best explanation of the tea now is: “Buttery water with fruit.” He noted specifically, “That little bit of water left in the bowl after eating broccoli—buttery and vegatal—that, with a bit of fruit…..”
I still really enjoyed this tea…..
Flavors: Broccoli, Butter, Fruity, Honeydew, Pineapple
Backlog
“Mi Lan Xiang” – Unknown/Forgotten Source
I had purchased a few samples directly from a farm a few moths ago. I’ve had yet to try any of the tea until this past week. This is the second tea that my friend had chosen to try, so we gave it a go.
Notes: Dry, semi-sweet, and kind of floral(?). Stopped after 5 steeps.
7/10
Backlog
I’ve been having my friend over a lot lately for tea. Ever since I had taken him to Columbus, twice, where we have had tea with friends, he has had a better understanding of the tea community. Like myself, he finds it intriguing that, despite many backgrounds/interests, we are often able to sit together and enjoy a few cups of tea, while respecting each other’s differences; meanwhile embracing them, respectively, too.
Anyway, we started on the Laoshan sample (graciously received from Hoalatha a few months back) this week. He had taken a fair amount of notes throughout the session (being a few teas), so I’m using them for my reviews….
Notes: Minty, but mostly rich/smooth/creamy chocolate. Similar to eating chocolate after having had brushed your teeth.
Flavors: Chocolate, Creamy, Mint, Smooth
Sipdown
I wanted to really like this tea. In fact, I had higher expectations for it, on the account that a lot of Bitterleaf teas are splendid. Unfortunately, this wasn’t as great as I had hoped. I will admit though, that this was a sample that had basically the little bits left over. There was some of the “chunk,” but it literally was a lot of smaller bits. That could make for a bad time with sheng, so maybe that is why I had a lot of bitter notes throughout the entire session; however, it could be the tea too. I wouldn’t know. I could order another sample the next time that I order from BLT, but that may be a while and they may not have more of this to sample (I’d cake it, but the price is a bit high for me).
Overall, I’m assuming that this tea could be too new to really gain some age to it—therefore, it may remain extremely bitter/astringent until it settles for a while. I wouldn’t know, though.
PS. I’m basically at the point where I’ll only review a tea when I get near to finishing it or sipping it down. I drink tea quite frequently, and in my chaotic mind, I cannot write a review every time I have tea. But I’ll still be reviewing all of your content on an almost daily basis. :)
Flavors: Astringent, Bitter
Honestly, I’m digging into the sample box, in hopes of sipping a nice chunk of my teas down. So, I’m sure there’ll be more to come! :P
“Pear Mountain Oolong” (Mountain Pear Oolong?)
Sipdown
This sample came from LP long ago when my tea journey was fresh and new. I apparently sampled quite a bit and never reviewed this; however, I’ve finally finished the last of the tea tonight and wanted to get a review out there while I had the chance to write.
This was some seriously delicious tea though. Very fruity, floral, and easy going. I’d say that this is an oolong to be had when you’re craving something that isn’t rough on the stomach nor keeps you awake….
Speaking of staying awake, I’m too tired to keep typing. xD
90/100
This is a nice ripe to have on a rainy day before work. I’m learning that there are ripe puerh teas that I’ve grown fond of in the past that have become “basic” throughout the course of my tea journey. This is a nice ripe overall though; however, it’s nothing that I’d get more of only due to the fact that I’ve learned to like either older or more specific types of ripe puerh. This is definitely a good tea for beginners.
Backlog
I was slightly skeptical about this when I saw this in the bag with the other teas. I had to try it though. Honestly, I liked it for what it was. I didn’t get a lot of puerh notes, but the chocolate jumped out quite a bit. It reminded me of a milk chocolate bar; which was surprising. I think this may have been one of the better bagged teas in the group.