China Yunnan

1 TB for 450mL water @98C, steeped 5+ forgotten minutes.

Okay, I got distracted and FORGOT this tea as is steeped, so I can’t give a fair rating yet. I have no idea how long it sat there.

I can say it’s this seems to be an everyday Yunnan, versus them there fancy black needle varieties I covet. It’s a bit less expensive. This is smooth and mineral and — to my surprise — a bit smoky, like a Keemun, and a bit tarry, like a lapsang souchong. It’s also a bit bitter on the finish, but again, I over-steeped. Getting a faint bite of pepper.

The use of “illusive” in the packet copy makes me giggle. This is all an illusion? They must mean “elusive,” as in, hard to pin down.

Very pleasant and mild, I do not find the floral quality to be as elusive (I hope they mean elusive) as Stash’s wordsmith. I tend to over-steep, always running around at work in the morning. This tea handles it well.