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derk drank Charcoal Roasted Yushan High Mountain Oolong by Beautiful Taiwan Tea Company

1548 tasting notes

I revisited this tea finally and I have to say it was quite different brewed with the longer high mountain oolong gongfu timing. It tasted less sweet and more vegetal like zucchini, had more minerality and less bamboo shoot sourness and there were additions of wood charcoal and walnut/tannins. Something like banana leaf was pronounced in the aftertaste, mixed with some kind of floral like ?violet?, something vaguely ?fruity? and a faint sweet almond oil. Orchid showed up later on the swallow.

I feel like the tea was a little too mellow and it lost a lot nuances in aroma and flavor that were present when I brewed with shorter steeps. I think it’s safe to say I like this tea but will stick to my usual short gongfu infusions for the remainder of the bag.

Preparation

195 °F / 90 °C 5 g 3 OZ / 100 ML

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This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. And thus I step away.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile. Terpene fiend.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, Nepal and Darjeeling. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possess off flavors/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s pu’er, I likely think it needs more age.

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