Dorothy

Organic Makurazaki Black Tea Hime Hikari from Yuuki-cha

Dorothy drank Organic Makurazaki Black Tea Hime Hikari by Yuuki-cha

Tonight I’m trying one of my Japanese black teas (Hime Hikari), short steeped. Out of the two I purchased I like this one better, but perhaps when I short steep both I may change my mind.

First steep is quite nice and very flavourful with a strong black tea body. There were floral notes, cocoa, malty, juicy apple, spices, and a hint of grains.

The second steep was much stronger, to the point where it almost becomes bitter. I don’t normally like that but it went pretty well with the cocoa notes. (I’m sure it wouldn’t have become bitter if I didn’t put so many leaves in)

I continued steeping it four more times, but most of the flavour peaked on the 2nd steep. The strong tea body weakened, but they were still flavourful cups. So after the 2nd steep it’s quite a different experience.

If you prefer a strong flavoured tea I’d recommend western style or the suggested brewing directions.

100ml purion teapot, 2 tsp, 6 steeps (30s, +15s resteeps)

2012-01-28 19:47:29 -0500

205 °F / 96 °C

0 min 30 sec

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Amy oh 2012-01-28 23:00:14 -0500

How do you like your purion teapot and which teas do you use with it? I looked them up on the ’net, they seem nice but expensive. :)

Dorothy 2012-01-28 23:05:55 -0500

Nice teapot, but I’m not sure how much it changes the tea. It comes with a small mesh strainer which snaps into the spout. I’m mostly using it for high oxidized teas such as black, so the strainer helps a lot.
I wouldn’t have normally bought it, but I wanted a small teapot for black tea and the money was a gift. ;) As a bonus the material is not very porous, so I can use it with other tea.

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_{I don’t log tea every time I drink it. Tasting notes tend to be about either one style of brewing or a new experience. It is helpful for me to look back on my notes and see what a tea tasted like or which steeping parameter worked best for me.}

_{When I write “tsp”, the measurement I use is a regular western teaspoon. Not a tea scoop}

What my tea ratings mean:

99-100: Teas that blow my mind! An unforgettable experience. Savoured to the last drop. I felt privileged to drink this.

90-98: Extraordinary, highly recommended, try it and you won’t be disappointed (and if you are, mail me the tea!)

80-89: Excellent, a treasured experience but not a favourite.

70-79: Good but could be better. Above average.

60-69: Average, unexceptional, not something I would buy again. Slightly disappointed. I’d rather drink water.

50-0: Varying degrees of sadness

No rating: Mixed feelings, can’t decide whether I like it or not, not enough experience with that sort of tea to rate it. A dramatic change of heart.