Pure Bud Bi Luo Chun Yunnan Black tea * Spring 2014

Most important: Is there an herbal Earl Grey called Earlbal? And if not, why not? I’d really love an herbal Earl called Earlbal.
Somehow I’ve had a very chocolately day… all three teas I’ve sipped, even if by default it has chocolate notes: this one, Zen’s Energizing Chai and later I’ll have a second steep of Ovation’s Chocolate pecan rooibos. I also have chocolate in my yogurt and a few Cadbury mini eggs. Yeesh.

Thanks for a sample of this one a while ago, Boychik! The little golden coils with hints of black result in a glorious dark amber brew. The steeped leaves have straightened out. The flavor is great, hints of pepper at the top. Honey, hints of chocolate, somewhat like wine. The second steep gets a little darker, more chocolate but still very smooth and sweet. Fantastic and hits the chocolate spot today (something had to anyway!) It’s funny that what doesn’t actually have anything chocolate in the ingredients might be the best thing, but that is what is awesome about TEA. :D
Steep #1 // heaping teaspoon // 12 min after boiling // 3 min
Steep #2 // few min a.b. // 4-5 min

Okay, I’m getting a little frustrated with the TTB teas, so I figured since I can’t mail it out until Monday anyway and I only have a few more to try, I’d go back to trying all my older untried teas. This sample came from boychik. I’ve tried similar teas before from Whispering Pines and Han Xiang via AliExpress, but I tend to love Yunnan Sourcing’s Yunnan teas the most, so I’m excited to sample their version. The leaves are rolled into cute and fat little curls which are covered with magical golden fuzz. There’s no dry scent left, but I have had the sample for a little while so no surprise there.

Once steeped, the tea smells like sweet potatoes and honey with a slight savory note. The mouthfeel is quite thick and silken. The flavor is surprisingly heavy considering this is a pure bud tea, the strongest note is definitely the rich sweet potato, which goes perfectly with the thick texture. For some reason, I’m getting a very slight bitterness, not sure why since I used a fairly conservative temperature and time. I’m also tasting that slight savory note, and it reminds me of a salty cheese or smoked meat. There’s a little bit of a mineral tone, and apricots, fuzzy exterior and all, appear in the aftertaste.

So quick note!
This one is delicious also! Tastes strongly of sweet potatoes. Lovely tea.
Can’t write too much more since I’m super exhausted. But going to enjoy the rest of this sample.
Thanks, Boychik! :D

Yesterday I played a wedding. I still have limited mobility with my right hand, I’m still wearing a splint, but I can use 3 out of 4 fingers (the broken pinky is never used for plucking harp strings anyway). The wedding was for my daughter’s sister in law, & I was scheduled to play it, but when I broke my finger I made arrangements with another harpist to play instead. The bride didn’t care what music she had, so it was just going to be your typical classical wedding at a winery about an hour out of town.

On Friday everything fell apart.
The Bride called the Harpist with a list of songs she wanted, such as One Love by Bob Marley, Stairway to Heaven, & tunes by Billy Joel, Sting, etc.
The Harpist said,“I am a Classical Harpist, I only play classical music.”
Also, the wedding had been moved outside on the patio (at sunset).
The Harpist replied, “I can only play outside if the weather is above 60 F”

The Mom called me in a panic.
I’m the only Harpist that plays stuff like that in St. Louis.
I’ve been playing a little bit this week, & so I did it, provided that I could be placed near the outdoor heaters, & my son in law had to move my equipment for me, because I still can’t lift anything. The other harpist was glad to get out of it, LOL.
I was glad to make some money, & it felt good to play.
Plus, I wanted to play this wedding, she’s a sweet kid.
So I’m back in business!

This is a wonderful cup of yum, sweet & milk chocolate, becoming maltier as it cools.

This. Was. Amazing.

I finished the generous share from boychik today at work in 2 steepings (large cup sizes). I steeped for 45 seconds, tasted a bit, 1 1/2 minutes and slurped a bit more and then left it in for about 4 minutes. Sweet, deep, malty, cocoa, toasty… man. Second steep I just left in for about 4 minutes before tasting. It was obviously a second steep but still good.

I think I’m in lurve. This must be ordered. Must be. I have now had 3 Bi Luo Chun blacks and I loved them all. I am sensing a pattern.