Global Tea Hut - Mr. Shu

~ 3gms / Small tea bowl from Living Tea / ~180 F / steeping time: ~ 30 seconds

Dry leaves again beautiful curled whole Assamica leaves, large with very little dust, toasted sweet apricot/fruity aroma. Leaves coloured auburn and chocolatey, with a few leaves still holding onto some green.

Leaves awaken beautifully and gracefully within the openness off nice tea bowl. Tea liquor refreshing, somewhat earthy with a slight hint of toastiness, less astringency noticeable this time around . . . slight hint of the dried toasted apricot/fruit. After fourth bowl, tongue begins to acquire the buttery like coated feeling associated with Bai Hao.

Beautiful whole leaf tea. Leafs gently twisted, auburn to chocolate in colour. Upon receipt, leaves were placed in small porcelain tea caddy to rest and relax. 5 days later, first opening, smell was somewhat honey like, with a hint of toasted Apricot.

Steeping: ~ 2gms / 180 F / Taiwanese Tea Bowl – tea liquor became a light golden/honey colour. Leaves awakening slowly . . . maybe wanting a warmer bath to stretch and help to awaken, or maybe just a slow morning awakener like myself. :-)

Smell more smokey than toasted, fruity/apricot sweet smell still present, smokiness very faint and whispy . . . almost more sensed than smelled. Taste carries the same bowl smell, slightly sweet . . . coats the tongue, very slight astringency at the edges of the tongue.

Wonder complex and alive tea that I will have to continue steeping, swirling, and sharing time with . . . until it has shared all its many complex awakening aspects.