This is the Fall Picking. I noticed upon opening the tea that the dry leaf was not as aromatic. I was generous with the amount used and the steep time was maybe 5 minutes. I feel it is still a good tea. I have to taste compare the 2 side by side. Maybe my nose and tastebuds are off today. The liquor is lighter and the flavor is not as strong as the spring picking. I am steeping brew 2 now. Frankly, I was expecting to be blown away. Like I said, maybe it’s me. This was basket brewed in a cup. I am now trying the Gaiwan….
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Hi Charles,
When I tried this with a group after it came in here in Minneapolis, we started with a gaiwan. I expected the autumn harvest to be much heartier than the spring, and you are right that it is lighter. However, we decided after about 10 steepings that we found it to be finer in terms of complexity. I love the story that this tea tells as it steeps out. It takes 2-3 steepings to get to that wonderful malty flavor that the spring tea had, but in the mean time there is an interesting big red robe texture and intriguing sweetness. Play around with this one a bit and you will definitely hit the sweet spot. I found that slightly longer steepings when prepared brew basket style gave the leaves time to infuse all the layers of their complexity. Five minutes should do it- perhaps hotter water is called for?
I am curious to see what you get out of this one through further exploration. It is certainly no assam substitute, but I think that it offers something unique to the world of black tea.
Thanks David.
David, in all fairness to you, I believe I have a headcold which has dulled my senses. I will explore this tea later when I can render a better opinion….
Hi Charles,
When I tried this with a group after it came in here in Minneapolis, we started with a gaiwan. I expected the autumn harvest to be much heartier than the spring, and you are right that it is lighter. However, we decided after about 10 steepings that we found it to be finer in terms of complexity. I love the story that this tea tells as it steeps out. It takes 2-3 steepings to get to that wonderful malty flavor that the spring tea had, but in the mean time there is an interesting big red robe texture and intriguing sweetness. Play around with this one a bit and you will definitely hit the sweet spot. I found that slightly longer steepings when prepared brew basket style gave the leaves time to infuse all the layers of their complexity. Five minutes should do it- perhaps hotter water is called for?
I am curious to see what you get out of this one through further exploration. It is certainly no assam substitute, but I think that it offers something unique to the world of black tea.
Thanks David.
David, in all fairness to you, I believe I have a headcold which has dulled my senses. I will explore this tea later when I can render a better opinion….