75 Tasting Notes
This is a sort-of sipdown. I finished off my original package. It’s a little bittersweet, because that was a gift from someone I’m not close to anymore, but luckily I can also buy my own tea. The next package is already here!
I kind of killed this steep a little. I wandered off and it steeped for probably around 7 minutes. It got a bit bitter (obviously) but I already planned to add milk and sugar, so now it’s a lovely, creamy treat.
The new bag smells a lot richer in flavor, maybe because it’s fresher. I’m curious to try it. It smells close to the Teavivre Bailin Gongfu (which I think is basically the same tea), but not as fruity as the Yunnan Sourcing version.
Late night tea time! Another term paper, another delicious cup of tea. I absolutely love this. It came as a sample in my most recent order. I think I like it even more than my beloved Golden Monkey.
It tastes beautifully of chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate. It’s similar in taste to their golden monkey, but has a richer taste. It’s a little more dark chocolate than cocoa. It’s got a smooth roasted nutty flavor in the background, too. Yum yum. Maybe I’ll buy more as a treat when my finals are done!
I got this sample because I didn’t notice that I could get black tea samples. I’m really glad I did. I keep thinking I don’t like green tea much, but some of the samples I’ve tried (this especially included) are changing my mind.
The dry leaf was colorful, ranging from deep green to the soft white down of its name. It smelled kind of vegetable, like sugarsnap peas maybe. I steeped it on the lighter end of the recommended time, 3 minutes.
The tea has the same veggie taste I smelled, but only lightly. It’s mostly sweet, and mild. Nothing too sharp or grassy, but definitely flavorful. I think I taste something floral, too, but I’m not sure. I’ll have to steep it again and see. This is one I’d be curious to try gongfu, because I think it’d be fun to explore all the flavors.
I still prefer a rich and comforting cup of black tea, but this is lovely for the evening. I appreciate the chance to try it.
Another late-night What-cha sample tea. Lately I’m loving nighttime grandpa teas. This tea is working beautifully brewed this way. It’s roasty and creamy, and hasn’t gotten bitter. It’s keeping me warm and reasonably content while I work on my interminable term papers. When I first tried it, it was a little too roasty for me, but it’s really grown on me. I’m finding the combo of roast and smooth to be very dessert-like and pleasant. This might be one I’ll buy again in a bigger size. Time will tell, because I want to see how much I like it compared to all of my other samples.
Update: it’s starting to remind me of a milk oolong, as I keep adding water and drinking it. Yum!
Yum yum. I keep really liking each shou that I try. I’m so glad that Crimson Lotus has free shipping on samples, so I got to try this. I’m gongfu brewing it, and am only on my second steep. It tastes sweet, and not bitter, but then leaves a sort of bitter aftertaste I think? There’s something about it that reminds me of pretzels, which is funny. Maybe that’s the roasted flavor that’s in the description. I’m having so much fun trying out puerh!
I’m also getting kind of sleepy drinking this, so I guess it’s a soothing tea for me, in addition to tasting nice.
So, I think my last review, I must not have cleaned my cup enough between teas. This time through, this is the only tea I’m drinking this afternoon (so far) and I’m trying it grandpa style, per Garrett’s recommendation. I quite like it! It’s toasty, nutty, sweet, loads of flavors that I love in black tea. I’m still getting the honey taste, like the other time I tried it, and this time I’m noticing some the “pastry” flavor the description mentioned. It’s a lovely, slightly roasty tea. It’s perfect for sipping this winter afternoon, while I work on a writing project. I think it would go nicely with some dark chocolate or some rich dessert. Yum! I only wish I had a sweet to snack on.
