53 Tasting Notes
Tasting #1 – Steep Time 2 Minutes
Initial aroma is heavy on the herbs, sage is the one I can distinguish out of the mix. And there is a slight sweetness, reminiscent of anise. Initial flavor is still heavy on the herbs followed by something spicy, maybe ginger root, and then the anise again. When I take a large gulp all the flavors merge together into deliciousness.
Tasting #2 – Steep Time 4 Minutes
The sweetness has come out in the aroma more, mixing with the herbs evenly. The sweetness has come out in the flavor as well, also mixing evenly with the herbs. There is a light aftertaste of sweetness and a stronger zest of spicy.
Tasting #3 – Steep Time 6 Minutes
There is a nice evenness in the aroma now, I can’t determine which are stronger or come first. The spiciness has come out in the flavors now followed by the subtle sweetness of anise. The herbs are in the background dancing in my mouth.
Flavors: Anise, Ginger, Herbs, Sage, Spicy, Sweet
I was incredibly pleased with the overall flavor of this tea. Not too spicy, a good amount of sweetness. Honestly, I couldn’t taste any distinguishing characteristics of the rooibos and thought I was drinking masala chai. I gulped this down too fast and no longer have any more to savor.
If you’re looking for a caffeine free chai, I’d highly recommend this one.
Flavors: Spicy, Sweet
Tasting #1 – Steep Time 2 Minutes
Initial aroma is honey, followed by roasted nuts. The aroma does not translate into flavor, its reminiscent of the roasted rice in genmaicha, but not green tea at all. Or even sobacha, possibly even hojicha. It has an excellent even roasted flavor that is pleasant to the last sip.
Tasting #2 – Steep Time 4 Minutes
Still a full aroma of honey, but less of the roasted nuts. Astringency has begun to set in and the evenness in flavor seems to have passed. Now it is very much a pan roasted green tea, like you might enjoy at a Chinese restaurant. The astringency seems to bite the tip of my tongue, so as I drink past it I find the flavor to be quite enjoyable.
Tasting #3 – Steep Time 6 Minutes
The aroma of roasted nut has taken the forefront now, with the honey finishing it off. The astringency seems to have passed in the flavor, just an aftertaste now, and the tea seems to have settled in flavor somewhere between the pleasant even roast and the distinct green tea.
COLD BREW
Smooth and delicious. No sign of astringency here. I enjoyed the cold brew so much, I almost forgot to make a hot pot. However, I do prefer it cold.
Flavors: Hay, Honey, Roasted Nuts, Sweet, Toasted Rice
Tasting #1 – Steep Time 4 Minutes
If grass were smoky what would that flavor be? Because that is what this is. Neither bitter nor astringent, just deliciously smooth.
Tasting #2 – Steep Time 6 Minutes
Its not bitter, its bamboo! A distinct aftertaste similar to bamboo.
Tasting #3 – Steep Time 8 Minutes
This tea is very green with no bitterness, no astringency, even after steeping all this time. Very smooth with a full mouthfeel that is unique to green tea. Absolutely delicious, perfect for sipping all day long.
Flavors: Bamboo, Grass, Green, Plant Stems
Tasting #1 – Steep Time 2 Minutes
Light roasted aroma and very light in color. There is a bite to the flavor, like bark, with a soft floral note.
Tasting #2 – Steep Time 4 Minutes
The roasted aroma has deepened slightly, with a softness at the end. Flavor has remained consistent, my mouth is full of juxtaposition as the earthy bark is highlighted with this floral element. I need to learn how to distinguish between different trees and different flowers.
Tasting #3 – Steep Time 6 Minutes
The softness in aroma has developed into honey, mixed with the roastedness its like honey on toast. The color has finally started to change into a very light peach. I’m certain that the floral flavor is from the type of tree these leaves come from, because it isn’t strong like when jasmine is added to a tea, but as if it came from the jasmine tree. I don’t think its jasmine though.
Tasting #4 – Steep Time 8 Minutes
The honey sweetness now dominates the aroma. The roasted aroma has now settled into the flavor to give this a very earthy feel. Not like a campfire, but like wood freshly chopped so you can smell deep within the tree.
COLD BREW
If you could combine the flavor of a roasted white tea, it would be this. Amazingly delicious and scrumptious, soft and delicate. I don’t think I can express how amazingly and wonderful this tea is like this.
Flavors: Bark, Floral, Honey, Mineral, Roasted
Tasting #1 – Steep Time 2 Minutes
Immediately there is a strong salty aroma, like the ocean. But there is no saltiness to taste. Smooth and deep, full mouthfeel.
Tasting #2 – Steep Time 4 Minutes
Still the same salty aroma, but now there is a salty aftertaste on the back of my tongue with a very light astringency.
Tasting #3 – Steep Time 6 Minutes
That wonderful and consistent aroma of the ocean air is incredibly satisfying, especially since I don’t taste it. The salty aftertaste and light astringency have merged together so that the tea is neither salty nor astringent. There is an entirely new flavor but I’m certain that it came as a result of these two flavors merging together.
Tasting #4 – Steep Time 8 Minutes
A genmaicha has a smooth mouthfeel because of the toasted rice, but this tea has a smooth mouthfeel because of that salty element. Its heavy and deep and enjoyable.
Flavors: Astringent, Ocean Air, Plant Stems, Seaweed
Tasting #1 – Steep Time 2 Minutes
No hint of aroma, just a nice hot steam to clear my sinuses. No hint of flavor, just a nice hot cup to warm up my pallet.
Tasting #2 – Steep Time 4 Minutes
A very faint aroma of dry grass, matched in flavor. But its not just dry grass, its soft and gentle. When I think of dry grass there is a harshness to it, but this is definitely dry grass if it were soft, soothing, and comfortable.
Tasting #3 – Steep Time 6 Minutes
The aroma hasn’t changed much, but the flavor has developed.
Tasting #4 – Steep Time 8 Minutes
There is a sweetness in aroma, like vanilla. But the flavor has stayed the same but more like a golden yunnan with a caramel bite.
Flavors: Caramel, Dry Grass, Plant Stems, Vanilla
Tasting #1 – Steep Time 2 Minutes
Light roasted aroma is juxtaposed by a deep roasted flavor. More like the steam from a hot stone exposed to water. But this flavor is smooth and delicious, delicate but deep.
Tasting #2 – Steep Time 4 Minutes
The roasted aroma has deepened, but it isn’t like roasted nuts. Now its vegetative, grassy.
Tasting #3 – Steep Time 6 Minutes
There is now a sweetness to the roasted aroma, which I can feel most on the sides of my tongue as it smooths all over.
Tasting #4 – Steep Time 8 Minutes
The sweetness is stronger now, not overpowering but more distinct. The sweetness is no longer noticeable in the flavor but that roasted flavor seems to be fully realized. There is excellent mouthfeel, not astringency, and overall deliciousness.
Flavors: Grass, Roasted, Sweet, Wet Rocks
Thank you taipwnsu for the sample!
Tasting #1 – Steep Time 2 Minutes
Common aroma from the tea, but remarkable flavor. Very light grassy flavor is incredibly pleasant.
Tasting #2 – Steep Time 4 Minutes
There is now a sweetness to the aroma as the tea has deepened in color. The grassy flavor has become rounder, fuller, and even more delicious.
Tasting #3 – Steep Time 6 Minutes
The sweet aroma is very clearly honey now. The flavor is now evolving, like it might become bitter or astringent, but it is just the the tiniest sharpness.
Tasting #4 – Steep Time 8 Minutes
The sharpness is more distinct, and reminiscent of a typical dragonwell. But unlike a typical dragonwell, the sharpness hasn’t morphed into a bitter or astringent bite. Its a complex part of the tea that makes it enjoyable.
COLD BREW
Smooth and delicious, easy to drink and enjoyable.
Flavors: Dry Grass, Honey, Roasted, Sweet, Vegetables
