This is another sample from Azzrian. I hope to try several of these new samples today since I finally have time. :)
I am not very knowledgable about senchas. I steeped this gong fu style and based my time and temps on Azzrian’s note.
The first steep was deep yellow and there was a strong cherry cough syrup aroma, but the taste was not medicine- y. The Sencha base was not in the least hidden by the flavoring, and was a little tart and sour…the good kind that clears the palate and refreshes. The rose is the kind I think of as peppery rose or spicy rose. Second steep was similar but a little weaker on each aspect. Third steep….oh my! This is my favorite so far! Now the cherry flavor is teasing me! It smells light, it tastes light on the sip, but after you swallow your whole mouth is floating with bubbles of light cherry, not like a kid’s candy that is super sweet and artificial, but like a grown up version of kids’ cherry candy. And now the rose is tasting even rosier and the three flavors – the Sencha, the cherries, and the rose – are all playing very nicely with each other.
Now I have mixed all three steeps together in the pitcher and the Sencha base is stronger again, but I think the cherry and rose flavors are balancing nicely with each other. I guess this is what the tea would have tasted like just steeped western fashion.
Thank you, Azzrian, for expanding my horizons with this exotic Sencha!
