I haven’t been up to reviewing the teas I drink lately, mostly because I have been staying home and trying them at odd intervals and my computer is almost never out, unlike when I’m at work! I’m also convinced that the filtered water I use for the office is different from my tap filter at home, and it’s throwing off my tastes!
First steep, 3 seconds: Liquor smells very nutty, but tastes like uber-sweet water, with a very fresh greenbean juiciness to it, and a mouth-coating sweetness. It just tastes so FRESH. Like a dewy morning breeze! Holy yum!
Seconds steep, probably more like 5 seconds (on accident! It takes a bit to pour a gaiwan!): Even sweeter than the first steep! Less of the green bean flavor, like it has purified. Like silky mineral water! An incredibly pleasant experience! It feels very high-class compared to the others I have recently tried. I just keep sipping ans sipping again; I can’t keep away!
Third steep, 3 seconds: The sweetness is more upfront this steep, with a more honeyed flavor and a beaniness to the background that lingers for a very long time. Still very good.
Fourth steep, 6 seconds: A cardboard-y warm flavor is creeping into this tea. It still has some of the sweet and fresh elements that linger, but the overall flavor is reminding me of when you cook green beans too long. I think I may just give this one more steep, just to see.
Fifth steep, 6-8 seconds: Still beany, still off, but I think it just brings it down to the boring green level, like off water that you rinsed your green beans in…
I tried the suggestion on Verdant’s site of tossing the spent leaves in some of my good sesame oil- not bad! A bit astringent, but the aftertaste is still there, but now mingled with a good smokey sesame flavor!
Flavors: Green Beans, Mineral, Sweet
