215 Tasting Notes
The flavor is deep and rich, with an aroma which reminds me of a good pipe tobacco. Some bitterness, as I’d expect in any substantial yerba mate. This has stems included. Some mate drinkers claim that the stem has more theobromine than the leaf, and that consequently yerba ‘con palo’ (with stems) produces more euphoria in the drinker. I’ve not been drinking YM long enough to have an opinion about stems. I bought a kilo of this, and I’m glad I did. Really energizing, and in a good way.
I expected and desired a double spiciness, and I always add milk and sugar, so this worked well for me. The bag showed double the amount of spice oil stain as the regular strength Stash black chai, and this is also okay by me. If a blend were to contain enough crushed or ground spices to attain that amount of flavor, then the bag would have to weigh about twice what it does, in order to continue to include enough actual tea for a good cup. As long as quality oils and extracts are used, the flavor can be quite good and the price kept within reach by po’ folk like me. I’d recommend this tea for anyone who wants the convenience of a bag and likes to add lots of milk, because the spiciness really shines through. The only thing I would change would be to add black pepper.
Yes, this cup was very tart drinking. There is an amount of good green tea flavor sufficient to carry the zinginess along. If it were bitter or astringent, then I’d not like it. But tartness is okay with me, especially in pomegranate or berry flavors. I didn’t even sweeten it — surprising myself, actually.
Used 1.5 tsp per 10 oz water at 180F. The dry leaf is a deep dark green, whole leaf with a slight twist. I sprayed it with cool water and let it absorb a minute before I poured the hot water. After a 2.5 min steep, I decanted a medium gold-green liquor with a barely perceptible haziness. The jasmine and tea aromas blend well and seem quite natural. The flavor is less astringent, more mature, and sweeter than the last cup of this tea; I credit the pre-steep wetting of the leaves for the improved qualities. A resteep of 5 min gave me a cup which was milder, less floral, yet drinkable.
4 gm tea, 8 oz water 190F, 2-8 min, steeped 5 times. I like this one more than most dark oolongs I’ve sampled. That it’s not too costly is a factor. The flavor is rich and well-integrated. No single one jumps out at me, but the effect is deep and satisfying. It’s going on shopping list; may buy, after tasting one other sample I’ve received.
Resteep 212F water 5 min, covered infuser. Drank this plain, just as the first steep. ‘Plain’ does not apply, though, to the liquor color, aroma and flavor, which are still quite good. And a resteep certainly wasn’t necessary in order to place this extraordinary Yunnan gold at the top of my list of self-drinking blacks.
Big bold dry tea, well twisted whole leaf, brown and gold, spicy sweet aroma. 2 tsp in 10 oz 212F water 5 min, covered infuser. Liquor is slightly hazy amber-brown. Smooth, rich nutty flavor, slight tannin dryness, full-bodied self-drinking. I’ve been seeking black teas with outstanding flavor but still mellow enough that I can enjoy them unsullied by milk or sugar. Happily, this Golden Tip Yunnan fits the description.
A fresh cup of bitter frustration. Out of respect for the complexities of white and oolong teas, I’m willing to check temps with the thermometer. But as demonstrated with this cup, it is guesstimates for the greens, which arguably are less forgiving of poor technique. As I ponder, this oyster of irony emits pearls of wisdom. So far though, I evade them, sensing they do not apply solely to tea.
