Charles Thomas Draper

I’m brewing this in the Gaiwan. The first steep was light and mellow. The second really opened up and provided a wonderful cup of tea. Somewhat buttery with a floral hint. Green vegetables are another flavor I’m getting. All in all, a very nice brew. May I add it’s 11 pm EST and its very relaxing….

Well I had to lay off the Puerhs for a bit. I cold brewed this for about 18 hours. It is totally different and much better. Now I can see why they call it caramel. I am not getting that ocean smell at all. Very enjoyable….

I am drinking this after the 2007. In the Yixing with generous leaf and no rinse. The first steep was light. Maybe I should of rinsed it. Steep 2 is holding its own. Darker. Stronger. Earthier. I do not think I will be able to go through this one for multiple steepings. I know when to say when. Or do I? For the 3rd steep the nuggets seem to be coming apart now. I am still getting the numbness and this mouth coating sensation. It is a very good tea. I probably should have waited another day to try it. It is hard to properly taste it right after the 2007. Besides, I can take no more….

Well I am finally getting to try the younger sister, brother or cousin of my beloved ‘98. After drinking a weaker ’98 yesterday I was paranoid. I brewed this one up with generous leaf in the Yixing and with no rinse. I let it steep for maybe 3 minutes. The result is a glorious nectar of the Gods. I am definitely getting the sparkle. When I was pouring it out of the Yixing I loved the color contrast with the brown of the teapot. It was a beautiful reddish brown color. I don’t know yet about the sensory overload that the ‘98 provides, even when brewed weak like yesterday. My mind is opening to say the least. This is something that coffee cannot provide. Yes it’s an eye opener but what about the third eye? These Xingyangs stimulate the brain and the body and everything in between. I am only on my first cup. I am not myself until the first sip of tea. Gee David, it looks like I need a tin of this too….

I am brewing this in the Gaiwan. I wish I brought more leaf with me. I’m still loving it even though I brewed it too weak. So I’m adding less water now. I’m still getting the flavors but not the intensity as compared to my last tasting. My last tasting was a beautiful affair. This time I’m getting the numbing sensations in my mouth and in my mind. It’s truly a wonderful tea. I’m so glad I ordered the tin to go with the ounce I already had. I’m on my fourth cup and I’m loving it. This time I have mudfigures of ancient China smiling at me. It’s almost like they are saying they too know….

I also brewed this in the Gaiwan. The aroma of the brewed tea hit me as soon as I took the lid off. This is very different. Mouth coating and numbing. I cannot place the flavor. Caramel, no. There will be future experiments with this one including a cold brew. I am getting a slight seaweed ocean taste at the bottom of the cup….

I brewed this in the Gaiwan. When I first smelled the brew I thought I was not going to like it. I let it get stronger. The taste is a floral sweetness. A profile I have yet to encounter. I know I stated in my profile that I do not drink scented teas but I had to try this for some reason. The aftertaste is beyond sweet. A nice change of pace for me. I enjoyed it….

I am brewing this up in the Yixing. I gave it a quick rinse. The first brew of about a minute was strong. This liquid is a purple red. The flavors intense and complex. It is a treat. Thank you Amy Oh for your kindness.

I am brewing this in the Gaiwan. A tsp of tea. My first impression was of seaweed. Very green and vegetal. I am also getting the butter aroma and flavors as I proceed. So far it is very complex. A deeper brew than her spring sister. It is mouth watering. I always like to comment on how a tea makes me feel. This is a feel good tea. A calm body and mind. I am only on cup 3. I have to brew this western style as well soon. With each sip through the thick leaves this tea is putting me at peace. Pure poetry. Zen-like….

It’s raining here and I need something to lift my spirits. Sometimes you just look at the dried leaves of a tea and you know it will be special. It’s a very comforting tea. It’s exactly what I need at the moment. Sweet, mellow, warm indulgence.

I brewed this sample up in the Yixing with boiling water and a rinse. The first cup after a short steep was gentle with a red liquor. The second and much longer steep yielded a powerful dark red-brown liquor. This like most of the Pu-erhs I’ve had this is strong and will yield multiple steepings. Well I have to work today so I will not have the extended trip through Pu-erhville. Do I like it? Yes.

I wish someone would post a new listing for the Autumn Laoshan Black. I commented on this yesterday while my keen sense of taste was dulled. Today I brewed this up in the Yixing with generous leaf. I knew when the boiling water hit the leaves I was feeling better. The aroma that we loved is back. I am getting a sweetness again with flavors of a lighter cocoa and the buckwheat honey. The second infusion was steeped for maybe 8 to 10 minutes. It’s alive. I am seeing dimensions with this that I did not see with the Spring picking. I am getting that copper sensation that I got with the Big Red Robe. My body is warm and glowing from this second cup. Am I feeling 100 percent? No. Did this tea make me feel better? YES.

This is the Fall Picking. I noticed upon opening the tea that the dry leaf was not as aromatic. I was generous with the amount used and the steep time was maybe 5 minutes. I feel it is still a good tea. I have to taste compare the 2 side by side. Maybe my nose and tastebuds are off today. The liquor is lighter and the flavor is not as strong as the spring picking. I am steeping brew 2 now. Frankly, I was expecting to be blown away. Like I said, maybe it’s me. This was basket brewed in a cup. I am now trying the Gaiwan….

I am brewing this in the Gaiwan today. I am also drinking it out of this vessel. I only put a little over a tsp in. A somewhat of a long steep. Delicious as ever. I love this tea. I had to give it a slight stir so the flavors would mix. Oh, the warm feeling….

I just got my first Gaiwan and I had to try it. Something tells me I’m going to be in for a treat. I was generous with the leaf. This tea is truly unique. The aroma of the dry leaf. The flavor. So different than any black I have ever had. And the Gaiwan, I love it….

Another incredible offering from Verdant. I have rinsed the leaves and the first steeping was quick. Maybe a minute or less. I am getting a Redwood forest taste if such a thing exists. It is smooth and luscious. I think I am getting a numbing sensation in my mouth. I am moaning with each sip. My opinion so far is to buy the whole brick if possible. Is that camphor description I read about leading to the numbing? This tea is beautiful. It is making my body glow. I am only on the first steeping. Where will this tea take me? The second steep is stronger. When I was pouring it out of the dark brown Yixing I had to admire the beautiful color of the liquor. This cup is darker. Stronger. More aromatic. The numbing more intense. I think this is the tea that you would want if you could have no other. I am at a loss for words….

I just ordered more last night along with the Big Red Robe.. A truly fantastick tea. If this was an experiment with the growers I cannot wait to taste the fall offering. The empty cup smells of evergreens….

I am brewing this in the Yixing. I used half the amount in the sample. I rinsed it. The first steep is a dark brown orange. I am smelling cedar and burnt oranges. It’s a very strong brew. I am feeling very content. To me, this is the sign of a great tea. When life seems to move just as it should. I am so happy I am exploring the world of Pu-erhs. They take you on a trip. Early in my exploration of tea I was somewhat turned off my Pu-erhs. Maybe I had a bad one. I don’t know. This is a very good one. To quote Townes Van Zandt, he sings in " Talking Thunderbird Blues " It tastes yum yum yummy and I know it’s doing good things to my tum tum tummy.

I am drinking this in a tall glass and just like everything else from Verdant it has won me over. The aroma and flavor are nothing short of superb….

The dry leaves are beautiful and look very fresh. I never measure anything. A bit in my palm. This looks like enough. Into the basket. I do not time either. If it smells nice and the liquor is appealing it’s done. This is an interesting brew. Very smooth. An interesting earthy aroma and flavor. It’s a nice opener today. I did brew it longer than usual. A nice buzz too. It makes the body and mind feel very nice….

When I opened the bag the aroma was mysterious. An intoxicating aroma. The 3 minute basket brew has warmed me. A dark, lovely liquor. Uplifting but not in the caffeine sense. I tried to buy it but I see Asha is out….

Day 2. I had to cold brew this. After 24 hours or so the liquor is green instead of yesterdays yellow. The taste is sublime. The aroma is heavenly. It’s right up there with Verdants Handpicked.

After watching a Wuyi documentary last night I had to try this free sample from Upton. Scottish botantist Robert Fortune stole or acquired tea seeds and plants for India from China. Darjeeling was the first plantings. The dry leaf smelled of pepper. The brew was decent. Subtle Muscatel. I am sure this is not a top flight Darjeeling. I am enjoying it but it’s not one of those teas where I go immediately to the website to order.

I cold-brewed this and the result is very nice. I am getting citrus flavors. Very refreshing and uplifting.