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Yummmmmm I made an audible sound of pleasure at my first sip of this today. It has such a fantastically sharp/sweet/fruity flavor and aroma. It’s very reminiscent of fresh pineapple in character – that enzymatic quality – though the flavor isn’t exactly pineapple.

Do you know, I used to think roasted oolongs were boring? HA.

Going back to the Autumn Tieguanyin after this, it tastes very vegetal, though still sweet; very smooth and mild in comparison. Granted I’m comparing late to early steeps here too – the tieguanyin is almost-but-not-quite steeped out.

The Mi lan is just amazingly fragrant in comparison – a little bitter too, actually. It’s not bad, but has me wondering if my water was too hot, or if it will mellow out on later steepings.

1.6g leaf, 3oz gaiwan, 1 rinse + 1 steep so far

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 0 min, 15 sec
Bonnie

Nice thinking. You’re on the right path if you let the tea teach you instead of a bunch of rigid rules.

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Bonnie

Nice thinking. You’re on the right path if you let the tea teach you instead of a bunch of rigid rules.

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Some notes on ratings:

I’d have separate rating scales for tea types if that were possible (probably Black, Flavored Black, Darjeeling/Dark Oolong, White/Green/Light Oolong, and Herbal) because the flavors and quality markers are just too different. A flavored black rated 100 isn’t better than every oolong I’ve ever drunk, just delicious for a flavored black.

Ratings are a combination of my enjoyment and the perceived quality – I do often demote teas a few points for artificial flavorings, small quantity of steeps supported, or weakness of flavor (requiring extra leaf).

I pay less attention to the number than the order of my ratings; I don’t necessarily keep a stock of everything rated 80+, but if two breakfast blends are rated 82 and 84 I consistently enjoy the 84 more.

And in case it’s not obvious? I am not an expert. I don’t even know what I like until I taste it sometimes, but I’m ok with that :) I like learning to like new teas, as well as enjoying the comfort of familiar ones.

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