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derk drank Qi Lan (2017) by Old Ways Tea

1548 tasting notes

Spring in a cup. For Easter.

I had some 2017 Qi Lan gongfu this morning while watching service so I didn’t take notes. It was good but nothing that blew me away.

Right now I’m drinking the last 3.5 grams western and I like it better this way. It tastes like a specific Easter candy — those small, candy shell coated chocolate eggs. Like those are mixed with roasted almonds and a touch of caramel, sitting on the damp mineral soil and overgrown tender grasses in one of our raised beds. And of course, orchids. Those are in my backyard, too. Gentle tangy-fruity, creamy aftertaste. Some bitterness. Tea oil coating, tingling. Not necessarily sweet tasting but rather dry with sweet aromatics. That’s what I like about a lot of Wuyi yancha.

Like the 2016 Qi Lan from Old Ways Tea, still too green/floral for me to go crazy over but today it makes me happy and that’s what matters.

Flavors: Almond, Candy, Caramel, Chocolate, Cream, Dark Chocolate, Floral, Grass, Mineral, Orange Zest, Orchid, Peach, Raspberry, Roasted, Tangy, Wet Earth, Wood

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 4 min, 0 sec 3 g 10 OZ / 295 ML

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2 comments

gmathis
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Sounds perfect for the day. I told hubby that when we do get to meet together as a church family again, I don’t know if I’ll be able to do so without having my crocheting in my hands!

derk
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I want to pick up something useful like knitting, weaving or crochet but I don’t know if I have the patience. What do you like to craft?

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gmathis
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Sounds perfect for the day. I told hubby that when we do get to meet together as a church family again, I don’t know if I’ll be able to do so without having my crocheting in my hands!

derk
Delete

I want to pick up something useful like knitting, weaving or crochet but I don’t know if I have the patience. What do you like to craft?

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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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