Cameron B. select Send Message

347 Followers / 243 Following

Cameron B. drank Gyokuro Wakamusha by Nio Teas

4288 tasting notes

Nio Teas Advent Calendar 2022 – Day 18

So I think I may have ruined this by using water that had been sitting in a metal kettle for a few days. It tastes very metallic and I assume that’s why…

Otherwise, honestly it’s a bit weak? Maybe I should’ve used less water, but their website recommends 150ml… It doesn’t have that intensity that I expect from a gyokuro. It’s very sweet, and there is a nice concentrated vegetal quality, but it tastes almost watered down?

Flavors: Metallic, Smooth, Spinach, Squash, Sweet, Umami, Vegetal

Preparation

140 °F / 60 °C 2 min, 0 sec 5 tsp 5 OZ / 150 ML

I Like This

15 likes

2 comments

LuckyMe
Delete

How does it taste upon resteeping? The first steep is usually umami heavy while subsequent steeps are closer to sencha. You’re already using a high leaf to water ratio so I’d try again with fresh water before adjusting steep times or temperature.

Cameron B.
Delete

I did actually steep three times, and combined the second and third into one cup. They also tasted weak, but more on the grassy side as you said.

People who liked this

Comments

LuckyMe
Delete

Cameron B.
Delete

I did actually steep three times, and combined the second and third into one cup. They also tasted weak, but more on the grassy side as you said.

Profile

Bio

Hi, I’m Cameron!

I’m a 30-something software engineer currently living in Austin, Texas with my husband and our two pugs, Gobo and Ume. I tend to cycle between my different hobbies, and they include piano, knitting, video games, board games, miniature painting, planners, bento, Korean skincare, and – of course – TEA! But really, what I’m best at is “collecting” hobby-related things… ;)

~ 2024 SIPDOWN CHALLENGE! ~
- December sipdowns: 4
- Total 2024 sipdowns: 160

I prefer my tea lukewarm or at room temperature and without milk or sugar. I steep Western style, and fluctuate between using big mugs or small teapots depending on the season.

I am always up for a swap! Just let me know if you’d like to try something in my cupboard.

Tea Preferences:
I enjoy both flavored and unflavored teas in many forms. These days, I drink mostly flavored teas, and I tend to gravitate most toward black, green, oolong, and herbal varieties. I do have a special fondness for straight Japanese green teas, however.

I do not sweeten my teas, and pre-sweetened teas are usually too sweet for me. I also do not enjoy stevia (or monkfruit, etc.).

I tend to reach for fruitier flavors rather than desserty ones these days, but I do have favorites from both categories. Willing to try anything once! There are a few ingredients/flavors that aren’t generally my jam, such as coconut, rose, lavender, and chocolate flavoring. But I also have teas that I love with some of those things, too! :)

Favorite Companies:
3 Leaf
Bird & Blend
Dammann Frères
Harney & Sons
Kyoto Obubu Tea Farms
Lupicia
Old Barrel Tea Co
Simpson & Vail
Taiwan Tea Crafts
TeaVivre

Tea Rating Scale:
90-100: Outstanding! Permanent cupboard resident
80-89: Great – a possible staple
70-79: Good, but I wouldn’t buy it
60-69: It’s decent
50-59: Meh… I may or may not have finished the cup
40-49: Ick. Couldn’t finish it.
00-39: Repulsive, I spat it out

I will sometimes refrain from rating a tea if I feel I’m too biased due to my personal dislikes, or if I suspect the sample has been compromised by age or scent contamination.

Cupboard Spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZEuKf1-ppR-VXajO4vV39zU1N3zjFJteEPAynqD2yl0/edit?usp=sharing