7g used.
Mid compression with some very pale green leaves (approx 1 in 20). Dry leaf has a light, sweet hay aroma, nothing much. The wet leaf is interesting; it explodes with a bacon-like aroma, then becomes fruity with citrus notes and ending in a sweet over-brewed sencha-like sweetness that lingers. There is some menthol too.
5s – Liquor is pale yellow. It has a pleasant fruity aroma, like honey and lemon cough medicine. The flavour is mainly lemony; it is a light, floral flavour, but it has a contrasting strong boost to it; like it start off light and lemony, but then it intensifies without the flavour changing much. No astringency; very little bitterness.
10s – Syrup, lemons, soft. Some bitterness, which contrasts with the sweet lemony flavour.
15s – Still soft and lemony. It has now started to show some bitter lemon. The flavour is so light it makes the water taste thick.
I had a quick read of some other’s notes on this tea, and yes this is delicate, but is this bordering on not much flavour? I’ve also noticed some creamy hay, something I noticed in the Hebden Tea Darjeeling FTGFOP Grade 1 First Flush. Is it bland and lemony or is it delicately soft lemon with contrasting bitter lemon? Is it honey and lemon cough medicine or is it delicate, peaceful, pleasant with subtle qualities, that are to be admired by those patient enough to understand it?
35 mins – I thought i’d brew it longer, so 35 minutes later… Liquor is dark yellow. It has a much thicker consistency. Taste is astringent; dry lemons and surprisingly not so over-brewed as I imagined it would be.
40s – Flavour gone.
Flavors: Hay, Lemon
