Lapsang and I are not friends. I barely tolerate roastiness in my teas, much less full on smoke. So I wasn’t thrilled to see this one in the reserve club package but I decided that I would try it anyway to be a good sport. Plus it’s supposed to be “subtle”.
Immediately I smelled the smokiness of the dry leaf, and the minute the hot water hit the dry leaf the smell of burned, ashy wood filled the room. I basically ended up doing two rinses because the first steep was still way to ashy to me.
I have to say, beyond the smoke, there is some tasty flavors in this tea. There is a lovely honeyed maltiness that I wasn’t expecting. After a few steeps the smoke has actually become subtler, and I can enjoy the tea more. I can see how this is an exceptional Lapsang, even if I can’t quite fully appreciate it. Still, I will never understand the love of smoke in teas. More power to you guys who like them, but that is one flavor profile that I will never get into,
So does anyone want the second half of my pouch (7g left)? I’d love to send it to someone who would appreciate it more than I.
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If you don’t find any other takers I’d be interested in tasting it :)
I didn’t used to care for it, but interestingly, I’ve begun to develope somewhat of a liking. The same thing has happened with Earl Grey. The first time I tasted cheesecake I didn’t like it either…
Oh man, I’d have been all over this one had Stephanie not beat me to it! :)
If you don’t find any other takers I’d be interested in tasting it :)
I didn’t used to care for it, but interestingly, I’ve begun to develope somewhat of a liking. The same thing has happened with Earl Grey. The first time I tasted cheesecake I didn’t like it either…
Oh man, I’d have been all over this one had Stephanie not beat me to it! :)