After another long gongfu break, I was able to do eastern method once again. Happy to do such, and happy to try some new teas in my stash.
I have placed an order at Farmerleaf to support William and his, relatively, small business and because I had a good experience with them in the bast.
The tea, I chose, was just a random choice though. I brought pouch in the box, reading what is it (I didn’t wanted to drink black teas I bought there); and just prepared my gaiwan. 5 grams / 125 ml, 90°C water, fast rinse with very small amount of water, rather just soaking the leaves. Steeps 7/10/15/20/25 seconds, and a few uncounted ones.
Partially luckily, partially not so great, is that Farmerleaf describes their teas rather shortly. This one saying: “Experience the alpine taste…” is not saying much to me, until I have tried it.
The tea was rather loose than compressed, which I wonder if it is because I ordered just sample qty (20 g) instead of cake; or because it’s so fresh and it was so easy to pry when preparing the sample.
Anyway, measured 5 grams as I wrote before, added some water, smelled it… and it was indeed like a meadow in full bloom with some sheng astringent notes, however these weren’t much present and a little bit herbaceous.
I won’t describe steep after steep, as I am writing this note as a post-session note, but honestly it has highly surprised me. It was smooth and indeed again a bit herbal, little astringency but never too high, light and refreshing; with longer steeps you get some fruity (apricot) flavours, all followed with long and round mouthfeel; and again stone fruit notes, this time as an aftertaste, keeping the experience memorable.
It is definitely an easy drinker and probably as well a daily drinker, however in this way I would finish my sample in 4 days. My ratio was just right, so definitely keeping this in mind when preparing it next time.
