I wasn’t going to review this again but I finished up the last of the 25g sample and noticed some changes that could be attributed to my developing tastes or the tea changing from sitting in a non-airtight tin. The leaf is not as bright as it was fresh, which is expected. I also brewed a small amount gong fu side by side with my western cup.
This time around I didn’t pick up on the olive. Rather, it moved toward a really weird tisane I’ve had before, Numi’s Dry Desert Lime. Don’t let the reviews of that tea scare you, as it was certainly different than this one, but now I’m picking up on that kind of dried desert lime, a little bit of an earthy tartness. This tea is still as refreshing and bright as the first time I had it, though less floral. The minerals are very much present in mouthfeel but not in taste, creating that very vibrant feeling. Kind of like a salted citrus, but focused mostly on the side of the tongue and salivary glands.
I thought I’d have a little go at gong fu just because. The first three steeps were light and tasted similar to a pickle or pickled leaf. After that it, it thickened up and tasted more like the western brew with still light but more pronounced floral.
I’m not sure somebody else would rate this as highly as I do, but It’s just such a clean, delicate, easy tea to drink tea that has no hint of grassiness nor does it upset my stomach. It’s very non-dominating and somehow works despite my preferences for bold tastes. I like that it’s hard for me to describe, yet I don’t feel annoyed that I’m searching for a way to do so.
