The White2Tea 2016:
I purchased samples of all the 2016 new line up this year, and I started at the bottom (cheapest) and worked my way up. I did this to taste the profile improvements and variances. I brewed in the same pot with same leaf water ratio. Also, this helps to hone in my palette to identify what’s a good deal and what’s not. At the conclusion of my tasting I will be placing my cake order.
This is it. The beginning of the end and the end of the beginning.
I finally made it to the last sample, and I am excited to see what is in store. I opened up the package and took a nice long inhale. I instantly pick up stonefruit, dark figs, sparkling grape juice, and pink lady apples. The aroma is quite heavenly. The leaf is very loosely pressed and includes a long chaotic mess of tangled stems and large leaves. I heated up my pot and prepared for brewing this nameless drink. The aroma was enticing to say the least. The scent began with molasses, brown sugar, and warm wood. A light floral background peeked out. I believe I sniffed some dark coco and possible cherry. Needless to say, it was very pleasing. I gave the pot a shake and lifted the lid for another sniff session. This time, I was catching aromas of honeysuckle flower, orchid, and wet moss. I washed the leaves once and prepared for brewing. The taste begins with a lot of wood and chestnut. The flavors are sweet and deep. I can take in some soft fruits in the aftertaste, The huigan is thick and filled with sugarcane and dates. A slight cooling sensation begins at my tongue and follows down to my belly. The brew is sweet and buttery with tones of powdered sugar and dough. A very decent tea. The brew keeps this consistent profile and slowly calms down. The qi is soft and uplifting. I imagined the word “cloud walking” to describe the feeling. Very peaceful. Very high, I enjoyed this tea. I thought it was fairly good, but the price is daunting. I will contemplate on it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJ1SYaBA0to/?taken-by=haveteawilltravel
The tasting of the 2016 lineup has ended. I only tasted the "new teas, for I already have an idea of the 2016 re-blends.
In conclusion, I am very unsure about a lot of them. They were all decent teas; however, it cost me 130$ +/- just to sample the teas. I was not incredibly taken aback, nor was I surprised by any of them. I enjoyed tasting and drinking them, but I can’t recall anything “jumping” out at me to stock up. I will drink what I have left and see if my thoughts change. Personally, my favorite was the daily drinker, hahah. It is not because of price. The pure fruity tone was fantastic! The brew was very appeasing and tasty and it had a decent qi; however, the brew has little to no depth. Again, I will sit and think about my last thoughts…
Flavors: Brown Sugar, Butter, Cherry, Chestnut, Cocoa, Dates, Floral, Fruity, Orchid, Powdered Sugar, Sugarcane, Sweet, Wet Moss
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I also sampled all the 2016 w2t, this was near (or at) the top spot for me. I heard rumors that it was sourced as pressed cakes from another producer, don’t know if that is accurate or who the other producer is.
I had a fun time keeping up with your journey with the 2016 line up :]
It was an interesting trip. :)
I have a cake of the 2016 Bosch, I would recommend sampling it anyhow, I picked it up not wanting to miss out on it like I did on a cake last year after it preformed so great in my sampling of it…
These teas are very green. Try them again in six months or a year and they will change quite a bit. It’s green tea vs puerh, the leaves need to dry, tighten up.
I enjoyed Bosch last year.
My teas weren’t as green as I expected. For instance, when compared to Crimson Lotus teas whom were vibrantly green and somewhat too fresh, these were varying degrees of “too fresh”. I noticed some had very little green characteristic at all. However, I did properly store and waited along with fit humidity. I will still wait and sample later. I usually completely finish spring lineups the following spring (just finished off 72 hours).
Also, as a side note, as teas sold and marketed as fit to drink now or stored for consumption later; I am detailing my experience when I drank these teas “now”.
Absolutely! :) And I’m glad you reserved some room for trying them later. I just want people to be aware that teas this close to pressing, from any company, will have green tea characteristics that will dominate the brew for a bit.
I also sampled all the 2016 w2t, this was near (or at) the top spot for me. I heard rumors that it was sourced as pressed cakes from another producer, don’t know if that is accurate or who the other producer is.
I had a fun time keeping up with your journey with the 2016 line up :]
It was an interesting trip. :)
I have a cake of the 2016 Bosch, I would recommend sampling it anyhow, I picked it up not wanting to miss out on it like I did on a cake last year after it preformed so great in my sampling of it…
These teas are very green. Try them again in six months or a year and they will change quite a bit. It’s green tea vs puerh, the leaves need to dry, tighten up.
I enjoyed Bosch last year.
My teas weren’t as green as I expected. For instance, when compared to Crimson Lotus teas whom were vibrantly green and somewhat too fresh, these were varying degrees of “too fresh”. I noticed some had very little green characteristic at all. However, I did properly store and waited along with fit humidity. I will still wait and sample later. I usually completely finish spring lineups the following spring (just finished off 72 hours).
Also, as a side note, as teas sold and marketed as fit to drink now or stored for consumption later; I am detailing my experience when I drank these teas “now”.
Absolutely! :) And I’m glad you reserved some room for trying them later. I just want people to be aware that teas this close to pressing, from any company, will have green tea characteristics that will dominate the brew for a bit.