294 Tasting Notes
I used up the rest of this sample in the Gaiwan. I was very generous with the amount of leaf and I had an extended steep time. It is a very light tea. It also appeared the leaves may have been on the older side of green tea. One note I must make is that I thought it made me feel very nice. I personally know this tea from having a pound of it fresh from China because my GF is from Anhui the home of Mao Feng.
This is a lovely green that I brewed in the Gaiwan with generous leaf for perhaps a minute. The resulting liquor is very green and flavored with hints of asparagus and spinach with a forest aroma. The second cup is soft and vegetal. I love the color, the aroma and the flavor. This will make an awesome cold brew….
I am enjoying this very much. Brewed in the Yixing it delivers everything and more. I ordered five samples of Sheng from JAS eTea to try to get a better grasp of why this tea is so mysterious to me. Out of the five this is the clear winner. It was quite numbing in the first steeping with flavor I still cannot describe. It is better than last time I had it. I think that seems to be the norm with all Pu-erh. There is a certain energy from the better Sheng. A vibrant intoxication of the senses….
I brewed this in the Gaiwan and then went on an errand and forgot about it. So maybe 30 minutes later I have a strong tea but with no bitterness and very drinkable. I really cannot place a score on this one until I have a proper steeping. I did a second steep from the same leaves and it also came out very nice. But in all fairness to Red Blossom and to my fellow Steepsterites I will do this one again soon.
This was a very lovely tea. I already have some that was purchased in Flushing N.Y. and I really love it. It is one of those Jasmines that have a very soft fragrance and the flavor is sweet and delicate and it becomes more intricate with each steeping. I brewed this in the Gaiwan and it is one of those teas that seems like it could steep forever without losing its flavor. I had around 6 steepings and it was still going strong. I truly believe Jasmine are a nice nightcap. They are very relaxing and in all honesty I think last nights Silver Jasmine knocked me out. So far I am very happy with all of the tea that Angel from Teavivre has sent me. I like to cold brew Dragon Pearls not only to watch the pearls unfurl but to enjoy the beautiful flavor….
This is not my first tea of the day. I have been starting off my mornings with a Yongming 2004 Sheng that was graciously sent with my last order from Verdant. The Yongming has finally weakened so it is time to fill the Yixing with this 2007 7532. The only word that I can conjure up would be invigorating. Along with the energy that this tea is warming me with that Sheng glow. I can only drink so much. This is how I can enjoy it for a few days in between my other tastings. PS, The Yongming is not on the Verdant site. It was sent “just for fun”. And fun I am having. Tea does rule. This Menghai is much better than the last time I had it. I guess it’s the usual combination of the teas subtle aging and my improving brewing skills. I upped the score….
I am a big one to reuse my leaf a second day – what/how do you prepare your leaf for multiple days?
Sometimes I let it sit overnight in a Gaiwan or the Yixing and let it stew. Some Oolongs get a beautiful golden color with awesome flavor. I will do this after the 3rd or 4th steep….
A couple things I should mention: Sheng seems to me to last forever. Do not stew green teas. I also sometimes just leave the leaves in the pot and resume brewing the next day….
I drain my pot and leave the leaf overnight. Most shengs take this very well. Do you go more than 2 days? I have never had leaf mold but always want to be cautious.
Jasmine is so relaxing. I love the aroma. When you pair it with a good tea the results can be heaven. This one is a bit strong but far from overwhelming. I probably was a bit heavy with the leaves so I had a steep of 2 minutes. It’s a golden hue with a dry in a pleasant way liquor. Once again I have a thumbs up from my non- tea drinking GF who hails from Anhui. I think she’s a fan of Jasmines. I am a fan of this. The second cup has lost much of the jasmine flavor but it has retained the character that this tea is all about. I am getting a slight numbing of the palate with cup 2. You will see in my profile that I am not a fan of flavored teas but I do enjoy a good jasmine. So very relaxing….
I cold brewed this one for maybe 24 hours. The taste is sweet with what I perceive to be a licorice flavor. The ginseng buzz is enough to really get you going. When I brewed this in the Gaiwan I noticed I was getting a bit edgy so I wanted to try the cold brew. It really is a nice refreshing tea. When I shake the Mason Jar it gets a foamy head with a nice amber color. I definitely prefer the cold brew….
Ginseng Oolong is one of my favorite teas. :))
From my understanding ginseng oolong also has licorice powder hence the flavor. I highly recommend Il hua brand pure liquid concentrated ginseng extract . I add half a drop or so in a cup of aged sheng or Shu in the later infusions. Takes the Qi to a whole other level. Deeply nourishing.
Asaf I will try it…
Last night Angel messaged me and said to use the Gaiwan. I listened and I am truly enjoying this beautiful tea. Yes the dried leaves have an intoxicating aroma and the liquor is all and more that I would expect from a Keemun. I was totally enjoying the first cup which I followed the direction of 2 to 3 minutes. The second cup I let steep for a bit longer and the liquor is sweeter and far more flavorful. I cannot wait to do the Ballin GongFu in the Gaiwan. Thank you again Angel for the teas and the advice. It is apparent that you care about your product….
