Jasmine Pu-erh

For a mid-afternoon snack, I decided to have an odd combination today – pineapple and pu-erh tea. Just like the ancients, did, right?

This is another one of my free teas, so thanks Numi. Once again it’s a very strong pu-erh taste and not a whole lot of jasmine, although I can definitely taste it at it cools. The problem with jasmine, and with this tea, is that it gives it more of a “soapy” taste sometimes. Does anyone else find that with jasmine? Or maybe it’s just me.

Also surprised to find that a record did not exist for this. I had to create one. There WAS one for the actual brewed drink, though, oddly enough.

Ah, jasmine. Such a classic tea flavor but you usually only see white or green blends scented with this luscious flower. I’ve had 2 black jasmines, but they’re really a jasmine green blended with black tea. So I was intrigued by the idea of a jasmine pu-erh blend, especially since I’ve really enjoyed the other Numi teas I’ve tried thanks to Kasumi.

Mm, this smells divine! Hot, sweet, floral but not too floral. I know jasmine can get soapy or perfumey (which, being a floral hound, I don’t mind) but it is nicely toned down here. The pu-erh is earthy and rich, the depth of flavor tempering the jasmine down to a more sweet level. They work so well in combination together. Plus, I got 3 resteeps out of a teabag—always a good sign!

A review of Jasmine Pu-erh by Numi Organic Tea

Company: Numi Organic Tea
Tea Name: Jasmine Pu-erh
Tea Type/Varietal: pu-erh
Region: China
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup / tea bag
Liquor Color: dark red
Leaf Characteristics: the tea’s aroma is a mixture of raw earthy dampness with the jasmine fragrant sifting slightly along side. It is most mild for a Jasmine tea.

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

This tea is a pleasant surprise for me since I have been dreading the horrible, headiness of the Jasmine fragrant which I am happy to say is not permeating the air as I perceived from having bad experiences with teas blended with the jasmine flower.

The tea’s aroma is a raw earthiness (smells of moisten earth) with slight hints of the jasmine. It is not overly powerful since the moistened; dampness is what one is met with at first. The tea is a malty and smooth with no astringency.

I must say this is one of the nicest jasmine cup of tea that I have had to date. All thanks to Numi Organic Tea. This jasmine pu-erh is a sweet floral tea with lots of depth.

2nd Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 3 minutes

The tea is consistently smooth with many steepings; tea’s color is red and the dampness is not as strong with more infusion instead lingering. Overall, this tea is fuller in body with a sweet (slightly floral) malty texture.

Bagged, will restock with loose
Loose
Appearance
Aroma when Dry: sour, slightly floral, earthy
After water is first poured: earthy, peppery floral, jasmine noticeable
At end of steep: floral, nutty, sweet (eastern)
Tea liquor:
At end of steep: deep red– brown
Staple? Yes
Time of day preferred: afternoon
Taste:
first notes: Jasmine, followed by an earthy depth, warming foresty note
As it cools? Floral notes open up, tea gets a bit of a sour afterbite, notes layer
Additives used (milk, honey, sugar etc)? No
Lingers? Yes, jasmine notes open up and remain.