1556 Tasting Notes
52teas 12 Teas of Christmas – Day 9
If only this tasted like it smelled in the bag — rich sunflower seed (not peanut) butter and thick, tangy raspberry jam. Those are both there in the brewed tea but kind of both separated and smothered by the malt and toast flavors of the leaf. It’s certainly drinkable as is, but I can’t help to think there’s some kind of tweaking on my end that can really make this tea pop.
Flavors: Dark Bittersweet, Jam, Malt, Malty, Raspberry, Rich, Sunflower Seed, Tannin, Toast, Wood
Preparation
matcha-sencha-toasted rice
Had this with some spicy ramen and pork belly bao at Ramen Gaijin. The tea was great with the meal but was so grassy I don’t think my stomach could handle it without food.
Flavors: Brisk, Clean, Freshly Cut Grass, Grassy, Green, Kale, Nutty, Ocean Air, Silky, Toasted Rice
52teas 12 Teas of Christmas – Day 8
Only 3g left and brewed in a glass gaiwan.
Back in December, I got more of the lightly creamy eggnog vibe and stronger nutmeg taste. Now it’s all banana candy and I’m here to say I love that smell/taste after years of hate. It is not at all cloying and works really well with the mineral and floral oolong base. There’s also a soft streak of bittersweetness after finishing the cup that sits so satisyingly in my mouth. Aroma is like banana candy and rum.
Oh yeah — goes great with cinnamon bread!
Flavors: Banana, Bittersweet, Candy, Clean, Floral, Mineral, Nutmeg, Rum
Preparation
2023 harvest
Wonderful hongcha. Pronounced floral rose and cocoa aroma, tannins balanced with taste. Floods the body with warmth. High in caffeine.
Flavors: Bitter, Cacao, Clean, Cocoa, Coconut Husk, Floral, Geranium, Honey, Juicy, Malt, Malty, Oak, Peppercorn, Rose, Spicy, Tangy, Tannin