This is my first time trying this tea! I have high expectations, since I love their green and black versions so much.
The brew smells sweet, and distinctly reminds me of the smell of acorn squash with butter and brown sugar on it. It was literally my first thought- this tea smells like squash! And something more, something resembling barley.
You guys, it tastes like it smells. I am a bit blown away here! This tea tastes like I’ve sweetened it with ….hmmm I having a hard time pinpointing it. Not honey, not brown sugar. Something like caramel most likely, to produce that incredible buttery-squash sweetness.
It’s not just squash I taste. That grainy taste is there – so good! Also the familiar chocolate I love so much in Laoshan Black. It’s just so much sweeter in this version, guys. I LOVE this tea. Mr. He hit this one out of the ball park!
Second steep 45s. This steep most of the squash is gone, followed by a roasted grain flavor. This steep is hearty. I feel as if I’m eating a meal! The sweetness is later in the sip, and is more like raw sugar than caramel. As the cup cools the sweetness just bursts into your mouth.
I’m probably going to be steeping this out for awhile!
I can tell you right now that I’m going to be carefully hoarding the 1 oz I have of this. This tea is not cheap! I don’t hold that against it though- this is a truly handcrafted, artisan tea. If you enjoy roasted oolong with satisfying grainy notes, you should absolutely try this tea.
