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This is the last of my sample. I taste vanilla. It’s full bodied and buttery. An okay tea, but I’m glad I only had a sample.

This tea brews up nice and dark after the initial rinse. I used two mushrooms for my bre which came to about 7.5 grams. I’m quite pleased with it. I wish I had bought more when they were available. Hints of vanilla and chocolate. Not really earthy.

I just got a sample of this and brewed it in yixing. Smokey, astringent in early steeps, but good full mouthfeel and smooth. Colour of the liquor was a bit orangey yellow. Two quick rinses followed by two 30 sec steeps so far. With that small amount I already feel the expansive mind energy I get with a good chaqi (or maybe strong caffeine). I wouldn’t call this a calming evening tea. Would also not recommend on an empty stomach. I’d recommend for a sample, but probably not the whole shroom.

A very nice, smooth, everyday shou. Nothing too exceptional but a good daily drinker.

This was very different than other shou Puerh I’ve had. It was much sweeter and less earthy, which surprised me. A mushroomy scent at first. Very smooth. Some may really like this. Personally I prefer a less sweet blend that’s more earthy. I made it in a gaiwan. After the initial 15second rinse, I had two drinkable steeps so far. The first me 20s, the second one 30s. I’m curious to taste the next steeps to see how it develops.

Bought this on a recent trip to Edinburgh. Nice strong cup of tea, pairs perfect with milk. Bold and satisfying.

This was one of the Darjeeling samples I got to determine which Darjeeling I preferred. It had a light brown coloured brew. Relatively balanced, slightly astringent with muscatel tones. I tried it without milk, but I think it was strong enough that I’d drink it with milk the next time to balance out the astringency. It was okay, but not something I would restock.