Of course I ended up buying some! And now I am finally trying it. I’m using my little gaiwan and I even took a bottle of filtered water from work to use with it (my first time using non-tap water lol, I knoww… but I think Toronto tap water is actually quite good as far as tap water goes). First I did a rinse.
First steep – I have never had a tea like this! This seems to be my first impression trying every tea from Verdant, lol, but it’s true. There’s something earthy about the smell of the dry leaves that makes me picture a forest after the rain, and it comes through in this first steep. When I close my eyes I see the forest from Totoro.
2nd – This steep is a little lighter. I can taste the same soft pretzel-y baked goods flavour I’ve found in other Yunnan teas. And there is a definite sweetness in the finish, mmmm. Almost like icing.
3rd – The sweet flavour is really coming out, it’s a bright, sugary taste, but subtle too. I had no idea what to expect with this tea, but wow. It seems like it would be right for any season, any time of day, as long as I had time to sit down with it.
4th – Slightly spicy, still sweet. The forest imagery has been staying in my mind the entire time. I feel like I have to comment on the texture, it feels somehow soft and makes me think of mushrooms. Everything comes together to create something I feel lucky to have experienced.
I got up to 7 steeps and it’s still going strong. I have to go somewhere but I’m gonna save the leaves and come back to it when I get home… I don’t want to waste any! This is obviously a really amazing tea, it’s like a secret place I didn’t know existed but am totally in love with.
