1557 Tasting Notes

Bought a bag of May 2019 harvest because I enjoyed the previous year’s.

Malty, leathery, oat-creamy, nut/wood-tannic yet smooth and full-bodied with a substantial orange midtone — not sour, not sweet, just orange. Understated honey and toffee. Sometimes a tiny pop of pickle but not out of place by any means, like “Hey, was that?? Yes, it was. Huh”

Not nearly as tannic or astringent as 2018 and it takes boiling water really well, however, I can get only 2 good steeps as opposed to 3. Definitely still gives me a hot summer day in the Central Valley vibe. I am impressed by this harvest but after finishing a 50g bag, I’m feeling this tea isn’t quite for me anymore.

Flavors: Almond, Creamy, Honey, Leather, Malt, Oak, Oats, Orange, Smooth, Tannin, Toffee, Vinegar, Walnut

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 3 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 10 OZ / 295 ML

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drank Root Brew Detox Tonic by Tap Twice Tea
1557 tasting notes

Sarsaparilla and sassafras heavy complemented by the darker depths of vanilla bean and honeybush. Natural woody cinnamon taste not like cinnamon oil. Lots of warming ginger, too, with a bite that disappears after the swallow where the perfect touch of sweet licorice root comes in that doesn’t quite balance a very tingly effect. It’s a great true root taste without added flavoring or sugar. Do wish it had some body and more honeybush.

Tap Twice Teas recommends re-steeps but it’s one and done for me.

Flavors: Cinnamon, Ginger, Licorice, Root Beer, Spicy, Vanilla

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 0 sec 3 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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83

Progression note.

Lighter in body with an airy mouthfeel. Much less sweet and green though still possesses a mossy-lichen petrichor undertone. Definite development of butterscotch-caramel taste that weaves through a bright, fruity-brassy midground with somewhat floral high tones. Later steeps see the expansion of aged florals and the buttery, baked mango aftertaste slowly blooms quite large. Throaty cooling quality also presents later in the session. Soft, lingering bitterness in the back of the mouth remains from my first experience with this sheng. Sits somewhat heavy in my stomach, like the Planet Kunlu dragon ball from Crimson Lotus. Strong rainforest vibe.

Preparation
Boiling 7 g 3 OZ / 100 ML

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drank 2018 Arbor White by white2tea
1557 tasting notes

Like the 2018 Arbor Red, I steeped the white version over the course of two days, though I did not take notes.

At this point, the oxidation is developing well and the tea is veering into malty white territory. It has a distinct character different from the few other white tea cakes I’ve tried, not so much red fruit tasting. First several steeps were the best, being thick, heavy, and sweet, with a creamy and floral component that was almost coconutty. Autumn leaf and malty backbone and hints of apricot and tropical fruits. One infusion was pure, dark honey. Tonal tea overall. A western steep of 2g in 8oz water off boil fell very flat in comparison to gongfu.

A great tea, especially for those looking for depth and complexity in a white cake. I agree with White2Tea’s description that Arbor White deserves an immersive session. Thanks so much for the sample, Togo :)

Flavors: Autumn Leaf Pile, Coconut, Creamy, Floral, Heavy, Honey, Malt, Metallic, Petrichor, Sweet, Thick, Tropical, Vanilla, Wood

Preparation
Boiling 5 g 3 OZ / 100 ML

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drank 2018 Arbor Red by white2tea
1557 tasting notes

Certainly one of the most interesting red teas I’ve tasted. It’s soothing and sits so comfortably in my body, even when drank on an empty stomach in the morning. Thick and sweet with deeply vibrant woody-tobacco-sweet medicine-red fruit complexity. The 8g sample from Togo steeped gongfu over the course of 2 days. Check out the other reviews here and around the web. Well worth a sample if not a whole cake. Initial thought is 97 to 100 — exceptional.

Flavors: Brown Sugar, Campfire, Cherry, Cherry Wood, Creamy, Dates, Floral, Herbs, Leather, Medicinal, Oak, Plum, Red Fruits, Sweet, Thick, Tobacco, Vanilla

Preparation
Boiling 8 g 6 OZ / 190 ML

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99

Two hundred fifty grams is an obscene amount of green tea for 1 person. I bought that much to share with my partner a few years ago then things happened and I’m carrying the last of the burdens of that relationship. Except I’m delighted that this tea ended up in my possession and not his, heh.

For being 2 years old, this Laoshan green is holding up very well. I’ve been drinking it daily this week, grandpa and western, and sometimes combined with a bag of peppermint in my thermos for the workday. Still cooling and buoyant in the mouth and body with a clean, energizing feel. Full of brothy flavor, roasted chestnut, sweet nectar/honey, edamame, fresh cypress boughs, sugar cookie, anise, splashes of seaweed and sea spray. The sharper umami notes like leeks have mellowed and the tea can sometimes leave a slight impression of brassiness.

It reminds me so much of standing on the foggy coastal cliffs of northern California and Oregon.

Flavors: Anise, Broth, Butter, Chestnut, Cookie, Fir, Green Beans, Honey, Leeks, Metallic, Nectar, Ocean Breeze, Seaweed, Soybean, Sweet, Umami

LuckyMe

Impressive that it held up well for so long. Did you happen to put your stash in cold storage? I bought the Classic Laoshan green tea last year and it was amazing when I first got it but after several months of refrigeration, it didn’t taste quite the same when I had it recently.

tea-sipper

Laoshan green is the best green to stock up on! You inspire me to find some Laoshan to steep up tomorrow…

derk

LuckyMe: stored in a ball jar in my closet. I’ve never refrigerated greens.

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drank Sencha by Taragui
1557 tasting notes

Quick note on a swap from Martin Bednar.

Buttered straw with tangy finish. Good body, thirst-quenching.

Pretty good for what’s probably an old sencha.

Flavors: Butter, Straw, Tangy

Preparation
170 °F / 76 °C 2 min, 0 sec 8 OZ / 236 ML

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85

I’m not sure if this is the correct tea because there was no definitive name on the bag tag, but based on the taste, I’m dropping it here.

From Martin Bednar. All the herbs in this organic blend are from Switzerland. Neat.

Light, bright, mineral and herby without green herbaceousness. The most forward taste is thyme but it’s not in your face. I feel the menthol oozing from my chest. Tangy lemon balm aftertaste. Overall delicate and balanced. Lovelovelove! I wish I had easy access to coop teas! The three you sent, Martin, are all fantastic!

Flavors: Herbs, Menthol, Mineral, Tangy

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 0 sec 8 OZ / 236 ML
Martin Bednář

Ah, it is! This is with added “Malve” and that is Mallow wflowers. And same, I wish I can get those teas easier too. They are so well blended!

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Loved the 2017 harvest, so some time ago I bought a 50g bag of the 2018. It took me a while to open it, but once I did, it was gone in a flash. I western steeped pretty much all of the bag besides the last 5g today, which I prepared gongfu just to see how the tea would respond, which was surprisingly well!

Comparing the 2017 harvest to 2018, most of the notes found before were still there in complexity . This time around it seemed autumn leaf, wood, malt and tangy citrus dominant with a bit more (enjoyable) bitterness and a heftier tannic bite. I didn’t pick up on cocoa nor muscatel with this harvest but I did notice maybe some burnt sugar as well as persimmon, like in those highly oxidized Taiwanese red oolong. Dynamic mid- and background notes that seemed to be in constant flux on my tongue.

My black teas are getting dangerously low again; I hope the 2019 harvest is around when I get the itch to fill my black tea fix from What-Cha.

Flavors: Almond, Autumn Leaf Pile, Bitter, Brown Toast, Burnt Sugar, Cherry, Citrusy, Fruity, Herbs, Lemon Zest, Malt, Orange Blossom, Peach, Raisins, Rose, Spices, Tangy, Tannic, Wood

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 5 g 3 OZ / 100 ML
Togo

What-Cha has 20% off Darjeelings now btw

derk

Thanks! I’m going to be wiser with my money this time since my disposable income is low at the moment. Cat Cave black tea is 30% off and more budget friendly.

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Non-spicy ginger overpowers the weak turmeric. Strong orange oil and licorice root, no black pepper.

Do Not Like.

A tea-drinking coworker loves licorice root so I’ll be gifting the rest of this box to her, along with another licorice heavy tisane.

Preparation
Boiling 6 min, 0 sec 8 OZ / 236 ML

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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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