266 Tasting Notes
For a novelty packaged puerh tea from an American company designed to look like an upper end chocolate bar, my expectations were not that high. While they say that it can be brewed 4 times, I would recommend dumping the first brew as it almost made me give up on the tea. The second brew is where things got more interesting as it does indeed have some chocolate flavor notes mixed in with the earthy smoothness that I must admit I was skeptical of upon seeing it in other reviews as that is not common when it comes to puerh in my experience. Overall this is not the greatest puerh but at the same time likely represents a potentially good entry level one for somebody that wants to try one they can pick up locally.
Preparation
This comes off as a nice light cup of tea with a bit of sweetness. Overall when it comes to teabags this is light when it comes to a green tea blend but when compared to loose teas I’d say it comes off as a green tea with a bit of white tea thrown in for the sake of doing so. So think light green tea as white tea is subtle enough that you have to have it unblended to really be able to taste it.
Preparation
I went into this with a single change to brew it and having no idea what to expect as this is a lone teabag that my girlfriend got with junk mail. Overall my impression of this tea is that it is a spicy mint blend.
Preparation
Wow I am really impressed at the quality. If I did not personally brew it from a teabag I would think somebody was puling my leg if they said that it was brewed from a teabag. The tea has a nice smooth dark roast oolong, if you enjoy dark roast TKY than you will like this tea, if nothing else as a nice travel tea when loose leaf tea is not an option.
Preparation
Noticed a box of Twinings Chai in my grandmother’s cupboard this past Easter so I took 2 bags to try. A very nice chai, especially for a teabag that is drinkable straight up. Some might think that the spices are weak but personally I like it that it is drinkable as is without needing massive amounts of cream and honey to tone down the spices to be less than overwhelming.
Preparation
This is the first my first dry storage aged sheng puerh tea that I’ve received a sample of. My initial impression is that the color is around the same of the wet storage ones but a little lighter. The taste is a bit different as it has still has the freshness of the younger tea but the harshness has given way to a more mellow tea. Overall an enjoyable tea and I am grateful for the free sample as it made me realize that when it comes to buying aged sheng that if it is not wet stored then it is not worth my money as I enjoy wet a lot more than dry.
If you had done a “wake up” brew as recommended, you may not have needed to dump a whole steeped pot.
http://www.teavivre.com/info/brew-an-enjoyable-pu-erh-tea/
By first brew I mean the first brew after a quick rinse or wake up brew as you call it. I brew my puerh in a smaller gaiwan and this is a tea that I would advice rinsing twice compared to most that I only rinse once. Also think you for the article that is the best intro to brewing puerh that I’ve seen yet which I bookmarked to be able to share with people that are new to puerh.
Oh, gotcha. And, you’re welcome :-)