Finally getting around to the Chawangshop teas I purchased maybe 3 years ago.

An exploration of Mengsong pu’er. The Mengsong here is blended with Jingmai material.

I’ve been nursing this over the course of the day since past experience with Jingmai teas has often left me feeling spun. It’s been forceful yet kind.

The tea makes its first impression with a cooling eucalyptus overlay. Stonefruit and citrus tones. Deep, and buttery-cooked-plum sweet. The sweetness is moderate, not as rich as Yiwu teas can be. Underlying astringency becomes more pronounced but never out of control. Initially, it lacks bitterness but it develops at an adequate pace. Like the astringency, never out of control.

Maybe this tea gets its punch and strength from Mengsong, but the flavor profile reminds me more of Jingmai. The aroma is developing and the liquor is pouring a brownish-orange color. The dry leaf is darkening. It seems like it was pressed medium-tight but water loss has made peeling layers off an easy task. This is a solid tea. Nothing amazing but for where it is in its age, it’s doing mighty fine :)

Flavors: Astringent, Bitter, Butter, Citrus, Eucalyptus, Fruity, Peat Moss, Plum, Smoke, Stonefruit

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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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California, USA

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