I’ve been looking so forward to this gongfu session, that I almost did it last night!
1st infusion – 15 sec
Medium golden hue with a deep cocoa aroma. Light sweetness, taste is mainly that of cocoa.
2nd infusion – 25 sec
Aroma is now very toasty with no apparent sweetness. This infusion is not very flavorful and has a bitter edge. I’m hoping the next infusion is better.
3rd infusion – 35 sec
Sweetness is thankfully back in the aroma and taste. The infusion is much lighter in color and flavor than the others so far. Clean and sweet.
4th infusion – 55 sec
This infusion has a very bready smell. Flavor is still sweet and very much of cocoa.
5th infusion – 1 min 15 sec
The tea is much lighter in color and doesn’t have much of a scent. It just tastes like a basic, naturally sweet black tea. Luckily, the leaves are barely unfurled so I might get something interesting soon.
6th infusion – 1min 45 sec
Light, sweet, slight hint of figs.
7th infusion – 2min 45 sec
Not much to say about this one. The leaves are still rolled, but perhaps this gongfu idea just doesn’t suit this tea. I’ll give one more infusion a try though.
8th infusion – 4 min
Okay, this tea is officially done providing me enjoyment. It was good while it lasted though!
This is You :-D
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Bio
Formally known as mrawlins2
I am a former coffee drinker turned tea lover.
Black tea is probably my favorite type of tea, but I rather enjoy most types… I’m even developing a taste for pu-erh.
Rating Scale:
0-10: This tea is either flavorless or just plain undrinkable. I will avoid these teas in the future.
11-20: I was only able to make it through a few sips before pouring the tea out.
21-30: I may have been able to make it through the first cup but the thought of having another has me cringing.
31-40: Teas in this range are not horrible, but nothing I would seek out in the future.
41-60: Would drink if offered, but would not purchase for myself.
61-70: Okay, nothing special
71-80: Enjoyable, but I have to be in the mood for these. Probably would purchase if I found a really great price.
81-90: Pretty good tea, will probably be one of my favorites.
91-95: These teas are really excellent. I wouldn’t necessarily run out and buy more of these (just because there are so many teas out there that I haven’t tried), but I would miss this tea.
96-99: Terrific, very impressive.
100: This special rating is reserved for teas that are absolutely perfect in my opinion. I will only give out a rating of 100 to one tea per category (Earl Grey, unflavored black, dessert tea, Irish Breakfast, etc). These are teas that I really want to have around.
Perfect Teas so Far:
Earl Grey: Saint Isaac’s Blend (Russian Earl Grey) from Upton
Dessert Tea: Marco Polo from Mariage Freres
Unflavored Black: Emperor’s Red from Premium Steap
Location
Texas
