Nantou Four Seasons

I brewed this tea at all different temperatures from 160-212 I tried steeping for 20 seconds all the way to five minutes. It’s just not coming through for me unfortunately. The first day I got it I had notes of fruit loops. I put in the binder clip and came back then next day, and it completely tasted like grass. so I let it rest for a week. I came back to it, it tasted milky and sweet— ok I thought it still needs more time to come through but it’s getting there. I let it rest another week, the un brewed leaves started to smell like jasmine— interesting the tea is starting to open up to me or so I thought. I tried it once again, it tasted grassy for some reason. OK so I let rest another two weeks, and came back to it and still nothing. I then moved it to the freezer for a few days, still just grassy. Then I came back to it a week later and guess what? the flavor finally started to shine through using the bowl method, no gaiwan. just put the leaves in a bowl and started tasting it, that fruity note I noticed the first time finally started to shine through but it was not quite the same as when I first bought it. I tried it again today and nothing. I’ve had to fight with this tea way too much unfortunately. I’ve done everything and I’m left pretty disappointed.

I have the July 2024 harvest. This tea is a rolled oolong with sweet, floral notes. When steeped, beautiful whole leaves unfurl. I like to brew this tea grandpa style at boiling. There is no bitterness or astringency. Nice tea, overall.