Dian Cha Tea Industry Co., Ltd.

This tea is interesting because it tastes like a thick coffee, with hints of chocolate and also some bitterness here and there. It definitely gains some harshness as it cools, but while it’s still hot, it has an excellent flavor and really lovely aftertaste.

I think that this would give any die-hard coffee drinker whip lash. I wish I knew a few because I’d love to try to turn their heads by brewing some up for them. Alas, the only really dedicated coffee connoisseur I know was my ex-boyfriend, who moved to Alaska after we broke up.

Oh well. More shou for me! :p

I’m finally busting into the shous from DC Tea. The shengs were great, and this first shou is also excellent.

It’s very silky, which is kind of a new feeling for me and tea. I’ve had teas with a creamy feel, but this is a little different and totally pleasant!

I brewed this gonfu style in my little golden shousy yixing, but I combined about 7 steeps into a stainless thermos and retired to my room to drink with Goldie. So basically, my result is blended.

But what a result! Silky chocolate, coffee, and fruit. I daresay I caught a hint of cherry! It brews very dark, so I would have thought it to be heavily fermented, yet it has very little fermentation flavor. I was surprised because it’s a very young tea. It’s a beauty and I’m looking forward to seeing how it gets even better with time!

Well hello, Sweetie!

This tea is really something special. I went through the 9 circles of hell, plus an extra one to get my hands on this. Having dealt with dishonest sellers who raised the price when I inquired and another seller who sent me incorrect teas when I purchased this, I finally was able to purchase and receive the cake from JK Tea Shop. (Fucking finally, yay!!!!!!)

I can say that it was worth the effort. This tea is sweet and mild and seems older than just 4 years. It’s a small cake with moderate compression. The leaves are intact and dark. When brewed, the leaves smell like apricots and grapes, smoked with a floral incense (instead of the usual campfire).

It’s insanely smooth and the sweetness is surprising. I’m on the 3rd steep and there’s no bitterness. Just a slightly dry finish and a really pleasant aftertaste.

I’m in tea bliss heaven! Wooooo floaty!

Edit: I’m on steep 12 I think? Still going strong. I am gonna have to save some til tomorrow!

Woo!

This is a beautiful tea. It’s double wrapped in a heavy paper. The label is a work of art and the tea cake is lovely. It’s a looser compression and made of intact leaves.

I’m on the 9th steep and it’s still going. Smoked apricots are present, and an interesting floral note. I probably won’t touch this one again for quite some time as the bitterness is way strong. But this tea has potential… it’s going to be amazing with age!