Garret was nice enough to send me some of this shu with my last order. I saved for a day I know would be stressful—and it was. My team lost…again…I mean, scored against 8 seconds into the game…it was bad. Otherwise, I was just having terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. I ended up drinking this tea for two days straight because I ended up falling asleep after my 2nd steep.
1st Steep-30 seconds
Very hayish with a sweet finish. Almost fruity. Reminded me of dates. Which I love almost as much as figs.
2nd Steep-45 seconds
Still a bit hayish but its taking on more of a smoky type flavor. There are also some nice dark chocolate notes. The fruity note is still there making this steep taste kind of like a Fruit and Nut candy bar.
3rd Steep-1 minute
Takes on an interesting berry note with some vegetal undertones. Not grassy but more basil or mint. Definitely not what I was expecting based on previous steeps but very good. There is still a bit of the sort of smokey earthiness but it’s very much in the background.
4th Steep-1.30 minutes
This steep is all berry with a creamy vanilla finish. Very sweet. I almost miss the herbaceous note.
5th Steep-2 minutes
Vanilla and brown sugar with a bit of the berry flavor. Not much though. The flavor is starting to lighten up but I really did like this steep.
6th Steep-10 minutes
I always manage to forget the last steep. It hasn’t burned me yet or destroyed good tea so I guess it’s okay. This final steep has taken on a very vegetal flavor much like green tea. A bit grassy and a bit sweet on the finish.
I really liked this one a lot. It might not become a staple—-or it may if I end up buying a cake. It did give me that shiny happy people feeling. I know it was the tea because I usually mope after my team loses and I was all cheerful this time. It was also pretty tasty.
