New Tasting Notes

Having another cup of this. This is definitely this week’s favourite new tea.

I just set up my computer in my new house. Have been moving in the last few days so has been extremely stressful. Nice cup of Black tea to relax, good solid tea!

Resteep at 195 F. 3 min was almost too long. It got a little strong. The scent of the golden liquid is like roses and the flavor is really complex with some astringency. This one is growing on me =)

At first I brewed it in the traditional western way with a proper tea pot. I found it a mild flavour, a bit delicate. Pleasant, but not something that sticks out as exceptionally good. It’s a pretty good every day tea.

Then I got the mad idea to try and brew it gong fu style in a gaiwan. I’ve never really managed to get the hang of gaiwans. I always spill or burn myself or both. I used the last of my leaves to do this. Unfortunately I failed to remember to do this with caution as it is now severely over-steeped, bitter and undrinkable. First steeping has therefore been disposed of. Second (very short!) steeping is much much better. The flavour is noticably stronger than when brewed in a teapot and more complex. There’s a sort of nutty finish to it, I think. It definitely wins by being brewed this way.

I suppose what I really need is a crash course in gong fu and use of gaiwan.

I wanted to try a really good sencha, so I ordered this from a place that specialises in Japanese green teas. I steeped it for two minutes in water at 77C. This produced a pale yellow brew with a light seaweed-like aroma. The taste was delicate and smooth. The second steeping produced the richer flavour that I’d been expecting, but I didn’t get it quite right and I ended up with a cloudy, darker yellow brew that was edging towards the bitter. I will keep experimenting with this one!

2nd steep, 2 min, same as 1st, but more body & color in the liquor, less astringency, more mature flavor. Nutty with a little bit of sweetness emerging. Almost all leaves are now fully unfurled.

Added 4tsp of milk. Drinking this while listening to Deezer’s pop radio station + reading the papers + eating Malaysian peanut biscuits.

Made this for my friends tonight! Made it over the stovetop! So good! The tea tasted spicier than the mix I usually make on my own, so I had to add copious amounts of milk to smooth it out.

The lemon grass dominated the mint and other ingredients, which was fine because it was bedtime. When I need to wake up tomorrow and get my tea fast, it’ll be nice to compare to a commercial blend with more mint kicker.

Prepared with vanilla soy milk and agave nectar. Love it to pieces!

again, with soy, with dinner

I forgot to mention that the 2nd and 3rd steeping are even better!

I love the way the leaf opens up in the pot and how the scent hits your nose when you pour.

I’m losing weight (on purpose) and it was almost time for dinner, so I brewed a strong 4 oz of this tea, cooled it, and processed in blender with protein powder, flax oil, and frozen berries. Very satisfying!

just browsing the net with this relaxing cup of tea before bed

A nice, simple green tea. Did two infusions and it held up well. Am about to see if I can squeeze a 3rd infusion.

As noted in the picture, this tea has a very light yellow liqueur. Suiting, because this tea is very light overall, as is typical with White tea. I am not a huge fan of light teas, but this white tea is quite suiting for the headache I have and the rain outside: very subtlety sweet and refreshing.

It has a light and smooth body. The fruity flavor in this tea lingers. There is negligible but noticeable briskness. The aroma off the nose from both the tea bags and brew is very light.

Rating: 80%
Preparation: water just below boiling, steeped for 60 sec.

This is my go-to sick tea. It’s super soothing – the peppermint and eucalyptus soothe the tummy and throat and even help with coughs. I always keep a box around.