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I really didn’t know what to expect from this Keemun variety, and I have to say I was surprised by the cup I had. I was thinking more of a typical smoky Keemun character, and instead it turned out more like a first flush Darjeeling. It has a very slight astringency and it brews up markedly pale. A bit of apricot comes through and some other fruitiness I can’t quite put my finger on. Definitely a good and interesting cup!

Apparently some people like to steep this with a bit less leaf for something like 7 minutes to get a different character from the tea. I think I might try this next time.

Really interesting green tea, slightly vegetal with just a small amount of astringency. I expected more of an astringent bite since it is a darjeeling, but I really didn’t get it. Reminds me a tiny bit of a young sheng pu erh. Certainly the first green darjeeling I’ve had.

I got 2 steeps from the leaves, the second fell off a little, but still definitely worth the second steep. I used a rounded tsp in my 7 ounce cup and did around 2 and 3 minute steeps with water straight from the hot water cooler tap (175°ish).

Very fragrant green with great jasmine perfume. I was able to get 2 steeps out of the leaves – 1 rounded tsp in my 7 ounce cup. Steeped 3 minutes for my first, 4 minutes for the second with water straight out of the hot tap on the water cooler (around 175-180°). Second came out almost as strong as the first.

I’m really not big on flavored teas, but I love almond so I figured I’d give this one a try. Definitely has a heavy almond extract/amaretto thing going, in a good way. Has a nice natural sweetness and creaminess. I’m really enjoying this cup a lot.

Actually a pretty good jasmine scented green tea. I picked this up at the small local Asian market for like 4 bucks (for 1/2 lb), so I certainly can’t complain considering the price. It doesn’t have an over the top jasmine scent, but it does have a nice floral quality. I might try to steep for a little longer next time, or at least try another steep at about 3 minutes next. Even though the water was pretty hot it doesn’t taste burnt or bitter either which is nice (it’s not too finicky).

I admittedly haven’t had any other Hojicha’s, but I rather enjoy this one. Doesn’t taste too burnt – it’s just nutty and toasty tasting. I used 2 level tsp in a 12 oz cup and did 2 steeps at about 1 minute and 2 minutes.

Very nice leaf appearance – lots of whole tippy leaves. I don’t think I’ve had a green/black blend before and this one was very nice. I used 1 1/2 tsp in a 12 oz cup and got 2 steeps at around 2 and 3 minutes.

Very nice black tea – slightly malty and chocolaty. Reminds me a bit of Golden Monkey. Used 5 pearls in a 12 oz. cup and 2 steeps at about 3 1/2 and 5 minutes, water just off boiling.

Good Yunnan black – I tend to find some Yunnan’s pretty boring, but this one was good. Very tippy leaves and brewed up a bit malty.

Got 2 steeps out of this at about 2 and 3 minutes. I didn’t really know what to expect here, thought it would be sort of boring but it’s definitely not. Both infusions are really good – slightly vegetal and slightly fruity. The leaves are very good quality with lots of golden tips.