91
drank Nepal Silver Oolong Tea by What-Cha
1541 tasting notes

Spring 2018 harvest

This tea feels like summer in this region of California, maybe an hour north at a friend’s place in Hopland where it’s hotter and drier. Early afternoon, sitting in the shade of a large, gnarled oak, looking out from the mountainside, the remnants of a recent grass fire on the mountain opposite, sun-scorched fragrant wood and crunchy oak leaves lying in the dry grasses at my feet.

A full, slick body with light honeyed pear sweetness carried on the breeze. Almost floral with hints of citrus blossoms. Hops and grapefruit zest, mineral water, hints of muscatel and woody almonds from the vineyards and plantations in the valley below. Aftertaste is smokey-savory, at first paired with florals that later turn fruity. Kind of like grilled pork with a blackened peach glaze.

The tea is a bit drying but leaves a thick, oily coating on the tongue. Pleasant menthol cooling in mouth and chest. Spicy in a woody way. Clean and cleansing. It’s a beautiful tea.

Flavors: Almond, Butter, Citrus Zest, Dry Grass, Grapefruit, Grilled Food, Herbs, Honey, Hops, Meat, Menthol, Mineral, Muscatel, Orange Blossom, Peach, Pear, Smoke, Spicy, Tannin, Thick, Wood

Preparation
180 °F / 82 °C 5 g 3 OZ / 100 ML
So Keta

What a lovely description you’ve painted, makes me eager to try this haha! I’m currently sipping on a honey orchid dan cong that has a sweet pear note, although this sounds much more complex.

gmathis

I’d love to lounge under an oak tree and talk with you! Lovely review. Thanks for the little moment of calm in a chaotic day.

White Antlers

Ah! That exquisite review almost made me miss living on the West coast. Philadelphia summers are utterly foul, but there’s no place like home.

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Comments

So Keta

What a lovely description you’ve painted, makes me eager to try this haha! I’m currently sipping on a honey orchid dan cong that has a sweet pear note, although this sounds much more complex.

gmathis

I’d love to lounge under an oak tree and talk with you! Lovely review. Thanks for the little moment of calm in a chaotic day.

White Antlers

Ah! That exquisite review almost made me miss living on the West coast. Philadelphia summers are utterly foul, but there’s no place like home.

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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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Location

California, USA

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