This Tou Cha REALLY should be broken in half, LOL! It’s pretty large after it expands nearly filling my 170cc teapot right up to the brim. I’m surprised that this one hasn’t been reviewed here yet.
The tea is thick and smooth and due to the amount of tea has to be steeped for very short times after the rinse and first steeping. After the rinse I did 20s, 10s, 10s, 45s (mistake, had to pour off to pitcher and cut with hot water, still damn good), 10s, 10s, 15s. I’m pretty sure I can get another 5 – 8 steeps out of this tea at the very least.
The tea is wonderfully thick and smooth. No noticeable fermentation taste or smell and no bitterness unless seriously over steeped – see above :P. The flavor is full and round tasting of damp old leaves, plums and a lingering sweetness. I usually prefer sheng over shou, but this one is really quite good!
Flavors: Autumn Leaf Pile, Plum, Stonefruit
