In the early steeps this tea was thick and rich with a lot of fermentation flavor. It was somewhat bitter in the first steep. Luckily, this began to clear up by the second steep. The main note for the first three steeps was earth, but not in a bad way, but potent. Starting around the fourth steep the tea broth began to clear and lose this earthy character. It began to take on chocolate or cocoa notes. I added a little bit of sugar which accentuated these notes. Overall I think Rich’s review was accurate as well. I didn’t buy this because of his review. I already had it but thought to try it because of his review. Overall I thought this tea a solid performer that might age well.
I brewed this seven times in a 220ml Gaiwan with 8.2g leaf and boiling water. I steeped it for 10 sec, 5 sec, 10 sec, 15 sec, 20 sec, 30 sec, and 1 min. I would say that this tea had about three more steeps in it. It was fairly played out by the seventh steep. I was very light tea by that time.
Flavors: Chocolate
