123 Tasting Notes
First smell is roasted but the taste is quite mellow with a slight ashy/woodsy taste. Not as sweet as the bai ho oolong and I definitely did not let this one steep too long. Heavy smokiness starts to linger halfway through the cup, its like a baby lapsang but not as harsh.
Preparation
This “baby” oolong is really nice. It has a vegetal green tea like flavor and then ends with a sweet almost brown sugar taste at the end. It has a little more oomph then a green tea, almost like it’s the white tea of other oolongs. I’m a heartier oolong guy but this is still very nice, perfect relaxing afternoon tea.
Preparation
This is my first pu-erh and I’m not sure how I feel yet. The smell is reminiscent of week old salmon wrapped in hay, but the taste is like pure soil with a hint of sweetness. I don’t dislike it and I’m curious what another steeping would do. I would like to try older cake pu-erh to compare. Interesting…
Preparation
I got four steeps in total and number three definitely had the sweetest peachiest taste. This is one of the better oolongs I’ve had and one of the first truly fine enough for re-steeping. Sample package is sadly half gone already because they recommend two “heaping” tsps so maybe I’ll try to conserve for next time. I would definitely get this in bulk though.
Like others have suggested I didn’t steep this one too long. Even with only two minutes the taste is bitter and not very gingerbready at all. I got this free in my black tea sampler and I’m glad I didn’t get too much or I would have to unload it on someone. The smell is reminiscent of a holiday candle from Yankee candle, there’s a waxiness to the taste as well. I usually stay away from black teas flavored to be like desserts, it’s just too risky.