I’m not generally a fan of shou, but this is the kind of tea that keeps me trying them.
Started with 2 5 s rinses. 1st steep at 210 degrees: Wow, this is potent. Filling the room with a powerful earthy aroma: wet loam with an undercurrent of ash. The taste is amazing: that loam/ash flavor with hints of fruit underneath. The finish starts with raspberries, but ends in bitterness. Sadly, as I drank, the bitterness seemed to overwhelm the fruit. I decided to use shorter than usual steeps and reduce the water temperature to 200 degrees: I love the smell. Taste is more subdued; I no longer sense the berries, just an earthy taste, but the bitterness is more acceptable. 3rd (10s): More fruit, less bitter. By the 4th steep (15s): The raspberry flavors seem to be winning the battle. I got another 6 steeps, which were pleasant, but not special: both the berry and bitterness faded.
I was really excited by the fruity flavors, but put off by the bitterness. Overall, it was an interesting and enjoyable experience. Someone who likes a bit of bitterness might love this.
