Charles Thomas Draper

I am getting cocoa and maybe buckwheat honey. It is warm and toasty. I am getting the warm glow inside. An interesting selection from Verdant. I steeped this for 5 minutes with boiling water because I read it is very forgiving. The Immediate aroma from the second steep was tobacco. I can see multiple steepings are in the mix. I am getting a copper-mineral taste with the 2nd. Sensations in the mouth similar to the Big Red Robe.

I had to try this Shu first. I may be at a loss for words but I know I’m going to ramble. The dry leaf to my German Shepard nose had little or no scent. My spider sense told me to rinse it and I am glad I did. The rinse was a dark, murky brew with sediment. The first brew was rich and complex. Not too earthy. Smooth. A few sips and I feel an incredible tea high creeping up. I am tasting the ancient library. It is by far the best Pu-ehr I have had. Perhaps the best tea period. A great tea on this dreary autumn day. As I look out my window to my backyard I see statues of The Virgin Mother, Her Son Jesus, and Buddha { A gravestone for my beloved Akita }. The leaves and Long Needle Pine cover the cold ground as they do every year. This tea is for today. It make you stop and look at the chrysanthemums and truly enjoy life. I am having a heightened awareness to my surroundings. A squirrel was burying something under the Monkey Puzzle Tree with such care. I thought of where this tea came from. The Good Earth. The people who nurtured it. Where was I ? Did I mention the second steeping ? I used less water in the Yixing. It was darker. A burnt orange brown. Flavor, you can only imagine. When I was making the third pot I noticed the leaves looked like they had 30 steepings left. Although I do not drink wine, I can only guess it’s like opening a bottle of vintage Chateau Margaux. My third steeping I used more water with a longer steeping time. A wonderful infusion. Lighter. It looks like I may not leave the house for a while. As I am drinking this I’m listening to Tom Waits " Last Leaf On The Tree". This tea has provided me with a beautiful experiance. At one point I was getting chills. A energy I have never had before. At another point I felt like crying because the tea was so great. I will cry if I cannot get more….

I brewed this basket style. When I lifted the lid after a minute the aroma was very nice. I should of stopped the steeping there. It was light and complex as it was described. My friend from Anhui had a pound sent over that I miss. This was good. It was a sample from Upton that I will not be buying….

I am brewing Ala Jim Marks Style. It’s already a winner. Generous leaf in the Yixing and steeped for what seems like an eternity. The brewed has warmed me in the way that the Verdant Big Red Robe had only more so. I feel warm and glowing. The taste I am getting is truly unique. I cannot place a certain flavor profile other than wood. I should be more poetic and say, cedar forests. I thank Jim for his advice. I too like to taste the tea. To feel the tea. I am feeling this one! I am now entering the Pu-ehr Path. And I like what I see….

I have to admit I’m somewhat new to the world of Pu-erhs. My first taste of Pu-ehr was the Kim Fung Brand. I knew when I bought it that it was going to be very different. I am now trying to expand my tea horizons by delving into the 2 samplers that Verdant offers. It will be trial and error I’m sure. How much tea and how long to brew it?? I have been watching numerous videos on YouTube to learn. For this tea I washed it once in the Yixing. The first steeping was a lite orange liquor with a lite aroma. I broke the leaf up which I did not do with my tasting of the Artisan Revival. Verdant states that the samples are good for 2 or 3 tastings. Maybe I should increase the leaf in my brewings. The second steeping was a darker liquor and the aroma was more intense. When I was pouring the water on the leaves for the 3rd I could tell I was in for a treat. I was getting the Redwood and the numbing which Geoffrey spoke of. When I brew again I will definitely not be as stingy with the tea. Each sampler will yield 2 brewing sessions for me to better evaluate these precious teas. Until then, I can only say I am still too Green to render a rating. One thing I can say is when I do brew again I know I will be in for a treat….

I made a gallon of this after brewing up two pots in my ceramic teapot. I probably made it way too strong. Nonetheless its very flavorful and I have to up the score because in my previous tasting I made it too weak. It’s a strong , complex brew thats perfect iced. I only wish I had more to brew hot for a more tastings. I would recommend it to anyone who likes Yunnans. This is my lazy tea. When there’s surf it’s easy to consume and then out the door. So I brew up a big strong batch and it waits in the fridge when I need a quick fix….

When I opened the pack I knew I was in for a treat. Anyone with an Irish-English heritage loves a good black tea. This is a great one. When I poured the boiling water on I immediately smelled cocoa, caramel and honey. I recieved this as a sampler with my Pu-Ehrs. It will be ordered! I want to do side by side tasting with the Harney Hao-Ya A and the Zhi Gung Fu black….

I just got my Sheng sampler in the mail! My first tasting is the 2006 Artisan Revival. I brewed it western style in a basket. The directions stated 1 tsp for 2.5 minutes. I had to let it go longer because I just felt it was not ready. It’s very smooth and comforting. I am getting orange and clove aromas. It is definitely not like other Pu-Erhs that I have had that somewhat musty. This is my first tasting of a truly fine Pu-Erh. When I brew it again it will be in the Yixing with more leaves. Even though I feel I should have used more leaf, I can still see it’s a fantastick tea. It’s very comforting to the mind and body….

I cold brewed this with generous leaf for over 18 hours. The result is a liquid that is alive with flavor. I cannot even pinpoint the flavors. Truly unique. One aroma and taste I was getting early on in the brewing process with grapefruit. An almost Fresca-like taste. Does Fresca still exist in the soda world? It’s truly a top flight, A1, must have….

I just brewed up the last of this sample from Upton. A generous amount of leaves. I would say 5 tsps. I brewed it in a ceramic teapot for 5 minutes. The aroma is cocoa. I have transfered the first 2 pots into a gallon glass jug for iced tea. I am drinking a cup of the 3rd steeping now. It’s nice. Very similar to for first tasting of this tea. I the iced tea should be strong. It’s chilling outside now in the 40 degree weather we are having in Margate, N.J. I may change the score for the better after I drink the new brew….

I have brewed this in the Yixing with water that was just below boiling. I think this tea craves the hotter water because it’s not as good as the first time I had it. The first time it blew me away! I would compare it to a Keemun Hao-Ya A. It was that good. This time it was just ok. That is my fault for experimenting. I would still highly recommend this tea. Also the aroma of the dried leaves is beautiful….

I cold brewed this one in the Mason Jar for maybe 24 hours maybe less sorry I did’nt take note. I used a generous amount of leaf. Perhaps 2 teaspoons. I shake it from time to time and smell it to determine if its ready. It’s a pleasant, refreshing drink. I’m getting a hint of dairy in the flavor. Can this be possible? I’m also brewing up the Verdant Sundried in the same fashion to compare….

It’s an excellent tea. I brewed it basket western style along side Verdants Dragonwell Style Laoshan Green. Both were given generous amounts of leaf. I brewed for maybe 3 minutes. It had a lovely aroma and flavor. I enjoyed this tea very much. The clear winner was the Verdant. I also noticed the aroma of the Upton in my now empty cup was a subdued pine, spruce, evergreen. A very nice tea….

Today I brewed this basket western style. I realized the Yixing was not the appropriate vessel. The color is greener even with a shorter brew time. I was generous with the leaves. The aroma heaven and the flavor has to on par with some of the worlds greatest teas. I am drinking this side by side with Uptons Superfine Dragonwell. I thank David for sending this as a sample with my order. I only wish I did’nt buy four ounces of the Upton first. Not to take anything away from the Upton, it’s very good. The Verdant is on another level….

I brewed this in the Yixing. Lite cocoa notes. I am not doing backflips over this tea yet. It’s a warm and inviting tea. Maybe the second steeping will do it more justice. I let it steep much longer than the first. The second is a darker liquor. Maybe in my next brewing I will add more leaves and a longer steeping and hope that it improves. This is one of my many samples from Upton. As far as tea intoxication goes, it has delivered a nice morning buzz.

The aroma coming out of the Yixing was very inviting. I am a lover of Dragon Well. This is a beautiful version of that style. I will have to do another side by side tasting. I have the Upton Superfine as the challenger. The tea is very fresh. I am truly loving what Verdant has to offer and I would recommend them without hesitation….

Please see my side by side tasting with the Harney Da Hong Pao…. I must add in the second steeping the Harney has lost that lovely peachy aroma. The Verdant may have more staying power for steepings. I believe I am tasting minerals, rock, mountains. I feel the Verdant wins the second steeping on complexity alone….

I am doing a comparison with the Verdant Big Red Robe. Side by side, basket brewed, generous leaf. The Harney has a deeper aroma, very fruity. The Verdant has a darker Liquor. I feel the Harney is winning as I sip. I have the nose of a German Shepard. Just like with wine, you taste more with your nose. The Verdant has this electric copper feel that I like. The Harneys brewed leaves were green. The Verdants dark. I have to up my score on the Harney. Two very good teas. I must add that I brewed a pot of the Verdant in the Yixing and it gave my body a warm, glowing feeling. I am sure that I will add to these notes in the future….

I truly believe I have found a great tea seller with Verdant! This Sun Dried Jing Shan Green is a gorgeous tea. Especially after drinking the Hand Picked Oolong! The aroma is intoxicating and so is the flavor! I brewed this basket style with a generous amount of leaves. I am higher than 10 Himalayans! My sincere thanks to David for honoring my request for a sample of Big Red Robe { a generous amount too } and the Dragonwell. You have a loyal customer….

The Mason jar brewing was superb. I know the purists may laugh but I truly believe no other form of tea preparation can allow you to fully appreciate the flavor of oolongs and greens. My hot water brewing in the Yixing has yielded a beautiful nectar as well. A lovely aroma of flowers and heaven if there is such a scent. I also note on the feelings a tea gives to ones moods, I felt an inner calm and peace as if the Iron Goddess of Mercy had blessed me. A truly sublime tea….

I just got home to find my delivery from Verdant. They are fast! It’s too late at night to taste so I had to put a teaspoon in the Mason jar to watch the leaves unfurl in the refridgerator. In the afternoon I will be in for a treat.

Chocolate . Cocoa. A gorgeous, lush tea. Thanks to the many who recommened this tea. Steepster was a good idea whoever thought of it. I am glad to be a part of it.

Upon opening this sample I noticed the faint smell of cocoa. I brewed a gererous amount of leaves. Approximately 1.5 tsps in the Yixing yielded a smooth brew. Somewhat lite. Cocoa notes. A good tea. I may or may not get a full order….

I am not blown away by this tea. I brewed it up in the 1 cup Yixing pot. Maybe I made it a little strong. It has a darker liquor and a nice delicate aroma. The second infusion has lost the aroma although the liquid is still quite dark. A good tea. Not a great tea. Quite uplifting I might add….