I’ve had the Tea Urchin order in my pumidor for about a week, and decided it was time to start sampling. If this tea is any indication I’m going to be happy with the order. Though this is a 2011, it is tasting middle-aged: the flavors were more wood than straw, and the color was more orange than yellow. There is still quite a bit of astringency and acid, so I’ll enjoy watching it age.
The really strong first steep has lots of fruit, and hints of straw and veggie. Long, powerful finish. Somewhat chewy texture. Strong cha qi. 2nd steep is soft and sweet and bursting with flavor and cha qi. I really like this tea. Started noticing a bit of molasses, and less fruit or veggie in the 3rd steep. Turned astringent at the end of the cup. 4th steep is quite astringent, slightly bitter, but I still taste a bit of fruit underneath. I haven’t had this for an hour, but the cha qi is hitting me after less than an ounce. The next few steeps were still potent, with a bit of fruit poking out from underneath an astringent woody flavor. Around the 7th steep the fruit began to dominate the wood, though there is still some astringency at the end of the cup. At this point my steeps were lasting about a minute. Still good texture.
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Great notes and a good tea. It’s nicely layered and you describe it well. I did get a hint of that LaoManE aspirin bitterness at the back of the mouth in some steeps with sweeter fruitiness in front that was really nice. Also appreciated your description “long powerful finish”, well put. Lots of activity after drinking, assuming thats what you meant.
Great notes and a good tea. It’s nicely layered and you describe it well. I did get a hint of that LaoManE aspirin bitterness at the back of the mouth in some steeps with sweeter fruitiness in front that was really nice. Also appreciated your description “long powerful finish”, well put. Lots of activity after drinking, assuming thats what you meant.