This is a very tasty ripe with a fair amount of fermentation flavor left. The fermentation flavor was somewhat unpleasant but not quite fishy. It was dark and thick in the early infusions. There were a variety of sweet notes and little bitterness at all. There were some notes of chocolate in there and it did develop a fruity flavor in later steeps. At only $31 it was a good value too. It is unfortunately now sold out. Don’t know if Mandala can get any more of this.
I steeped this tea ten times in a 120ml gaiwan with 10.3g leaf and boiling water. I gave it a 10 second rinse and a 10 minute rest. I steeped it for 5 sec, 5 sec, 7 sec, 10 sec, 15 sec, 20 sec, 25 sec, 30 sec, 45 sec, and 1 min. If I wasn’t at my caffeine limit I’m sure I could get at least a couple more steeps out of this.
Flavors: Chocolate, Earth, Fruity, Sweet
