For my second tasting note, I have chosen to review this tea which is absolutely phenomenal. First a note about steeping time. The slider on this website only goes down to 15 seconds. This is a tragedy of design because you should steep this tea no longer than the time it takes to pour the water over the leaves and pour the water out of your vessel. 4-10 seconds maximum. Steeping any longer than that will dramatically affect the flavor.
As soon as the boiling water hits the leaves a deep rich aroma of tobacco, almost burnt charcoal smell invades noses chemoreceptors harder than an uppercut from Mike Tyson. Once I recover the excitement begins. a toothy smile adorns my face.
I let the tea cool before slurping it over my tongue. My taste buds sense the tobacco and charcoal flavor. A memory of bitter dark chocolate from my childhood. I am reminded Shui Xian means `Narcissus` and the beautiful flower is pictured in my mind.
I feel calm, happy, and safe. The flavor lingers in my mouth as an after taste for quite some time and I relish in it licking the roof of my mouth.
I am at peace with everything. My mind is now clean. I breathe deeply. Satisfied.
Flavors: Burnt, Narcissus, Tobacco
Mmm, bitter dark chocolate!