I was in the mood for a green, but an energetic tasting green or, since I was having trouble finding that, something new. And this is new! I can’t believe I haven’t tried this yet – teaplz sent it to me a bit ago but it got hidden behind other things and was only recently rediscovered.
Not overly familiar with a variety of Gunpowder teas but the tea smells salty, so I have a little fear. But on my first sip, I’m really nicely surprised. Yes, there is a bit of tingly salt lick taste at the very back but the overall is remarkably sweet. There’s a bit of smoky/toasty taste to it – it reminds me a bit of a boring genmaicha (not my addictive Ryokucha from Samovar, mind you) but a little more… grown up or mature. After Andrews & Dunham’s Caravan, Samovar’s Russian blend and a variety of Lapsang Souchong teas, I don’t know if I would really define this as truly smoky. Just roasty with an edge. Darkly toasted bread, perhaps. Sprinkled with grass sugar (work with me here) and then chased with a light touch from a salt lick.
So yeah, great cup! Very drinkable and enjoyable. A good green that is sturdy, not delicate. I could totally see myself ordering a couple of ounces of this (if only Adagio actually sold teas in 2oz containers…).
Thanks teaplz!
ETA: So I tried a second steep and not all that great. Not horrid but a bit too salt-lick for me. Pretty much the same experience I had with the non-horrific second steep of Rishi’s Jade Fire. There is a hint of that initial sweetness on the very first part of the sip but then it just turns into a big ole liquid salt block. First steep is a keeper, second steep is not worth the water. Dropping the score 1 point cause the second steep makes me grumpy.
4g/8oz
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Whoo! Glad you enjoyed this one! I really like it as well. It’s an entirely different smoky from a lapsang. It’s gunpowder smoky! But yeah, it’s pretty hearty and nom.
I didn’t like the second steep of this. Tasted like spinach!
Aha! I’ve had this in my tea drawer for a while now, and I almost made this last night but after much mental debate decided not to. (As this would be my first gunpowder, I was scared off by the spinach comments). But if you two are feeling it, I’ll have to give it a go!
teaplz, Yuck on the spinach! Hopefully I won’t get that but I’ll still give a second steep a shot!
Laura, I admit, I had somewhat low expectations but this tea (at least the first steep!) is quite nice!
Whoo! Glad you enjoyed this one! I really like it as well. It’s an entirely different smoky from a lapsang. It’s gunpowder smoky! But yeah, it’s pretty hearty and nom.
I didn’t like the second steep of this. Tasted like spinach!
Aha! I’ve had this in my tea drawer for a while now, and I almost made this last night but after much mental debate decided not to. (As this would be my first gunpowder, I was scared off by the spinach comments). But if you two are feeling it, I’ll have to give it a go!
teaplz, Yuck on the spinach! Hopefully I won’t get that but I’ll still give a second steep a shot!
Laura, I admit, I had somewhat low expectations but this tea (at least the first steep!) is quite nice!