89

Oh man, this tea has me wrecked. I’m not done with the session yet; I’m taking a break, fighting falling asleep because I have some schoolwork to catch up on since I didn’t go to any of my classes yesterday. Figured I’d write a note, hopefully allowing the passage of this sedative effect.

I had a few pieces of homemade spanakopita a while ago for lunch and it was a little tart from the feta and some ground dried lemon. A similarly tart tieguanyin seemed like a good follow-up.

Teapot time: 4.4g, 100mL, 200F, rinse plus 3 steeps so far at 40/30/40s

Dry leaf scent is lightly wheaty and vegetal. In the warmed leaf, delicate notes of fresh peas, soybean, cream, cucumber and grass come forward. Rinsing the leaf brings forward orchid, butter and sugarcane.

The first thing I notice is how non-nuclear green this tieguanyin is. Sure it’s green in flavor with notes of peas, soybean, grass and lettuce, but it’s a rounded, slightly creamy, delicate and dainty green. I’m also picking up on light butter and an orchid and daisy? overlay that becomes stronger on the exhale. Some osmanthus and peach in the aftertaste. The tieguanyin tart finish in the back of the mouth is present and never overwhelming — it integrates perfectly. Now that I think about it, it reminds me of oxalis aka sour grass. Almost forgot to add the aroma is quite present yet soft with lily-of-the-valley.

By the time I finish the third steep, the sugarcane returning sweetness emanates from the throat and a pleasant astringency rings my mouth along my teeth; the back of my tongue and my lips are tingling. My gaze softens with an orange hue, my eyelids droop and I so desperately want to lie down. I feel like I’ve walked through a damp meadow of wildflowers and orchids. This is one of the best tieguanyin I’ve had — I’m not so much a fan of them but I’d definitely drink this one again.

So far, sooo good. Except I’m still sleepy. Thanks, Kawaii433 :)

Flavors: Astringent, Butter, Cream, Creamy, Cucumber, Floral, Flowers, Garden Peas, Grass, Lettuce, Orchid, Osmanthus, Peach, Soybean, Sugarcane, Tart, Vegetal, Wheat

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 0 min, 45 sec 4 g 3 OZ / 100 ML
Kawaii433

Glad you enjoyed it! I just finished work so I think I’m going to go have some right now and see if I can detect some of those notes. :D

tea-sipper

a meadow of orchids.

derk

lalala…

derk

Enjoy, Kawaii433 :)

Kawaii433

Thank you Derk :)

I just finished the 5th infusion but oh man, after the 2nd… I started feeling the zzzzz too. It must be the meadow of orchids that tea-sipper mentioned. :D It’s like the Wizard of Oz Poppy field zzzzzzzzzz lol.

tea-sipper

NO derk mentioned the meadow of orchids, I thought it just definitely needed repeating on this winter day. :D

Kawaii433

hehe ok “I feel like I’ve walked through a damp meadow of wildflowers and orchids.” was a beautiful line. :D

derk

Definitely feels like the poppy field. I hope the meadow of orchids imagery gave you some relief, tea-sipper.

tea-sipper

It did, thank you much

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Comments

Kawaii433

Glad you enjoyed it! I just finished work so I think I’m going to go have some right now and see if I can detect some of those notes. :D

tea-sipper

a meadow of orchids.

derk

lalala…

derk

Enjoy, Kawaii433 :)

Kawaii433

Thank you Derk :)

I just finished the 5th infusion but oh man, after the 2nd… I started feeling the zzzzz too. It must be the meadow of orchids that tea-sipper mentioned. :D It’s like the Wizard of Oz Poppy field zzzzzzzzzz lol.

tea-sipper

NO derk mentioned the meadow of orchids, I thought it just definitely needed repeating on this winter day. :D

Kawaii433

hehe ok “I feel like I’ve walked through a damp meadow of wildflowers and orchids.” was a beautiful line. :D

derk

Definitely feels like the poppy field. I hope the meadow of orchids imagery gave you some relief, tea-sipper.

tea-sipper

It did, thank you much

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Bio

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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California, USA

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