65 Tasting Notes

73

I found this pricey, so I expected more. It’s the first Ali Shan I’ve had so I didn’t have a cheaper one to compare it to. I made it in a gaiwan with a 15 sec wash. The next two drinkable steeps were at 40 and 30 sec respectively. The scent was floral, so I was surprised at how vegetal it tasted. Certainly more vegetal than floral in taste. Also a tannin taste. The colour was pale green. It was a nice enough light oolong, but not nice enough to warrant the price. I’m curious what others think of it. Will definitely have to try another Ali Shan for comparison.

Flavors: Floral, Tannin, Vegetal

Preparation
6 g 6 OZ / 177 ML

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80

I’m in my second drinkable steep. Made it in gaiwan with a 15s wash, followed by 20s steeps so far. The scent was a little earthy but also a scent of sweetness. The taste is similar to the scent. Smooth but also bright. Even though it’s supposed to be a lower caffeine content I definitely feel a stimulating effect. I don’t taste all the complexity the previous reviewer mentioned. At least not yet.

Flavors: Sweet, Wet Earth, Wood

Preparation
Boiling 0 min, 30 sec 6 g 5 OZ / 147 ML

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72

This tea was okay, but after having the tie Kwan yin from Mandala tea it pales in comparison. Prior to brewing the dry tea was light brown and wood coloured. Once brewed, There was a slight floral scent, but predominantly roasted scent. The taste is mostly nutty/roasted and buttery, with some vegetal taste. The leaves opened up nicely on the first drinkable steep. The liquor is pale brown. Not one I would purchase again.

Flavors: Butter, Nutty, Roasted, Vegetal

Preparation
7 g 5 OZ / 147 ML

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82

I wish there were other tasting notes because I can’t quite describe what I’m tasting and smelling. I’m currently on the second drinkable steep. The scent seemed smokey. The taste seemed vegetal. It was nice. I’m intrigued by it since there is more here than I know how to describe.

Flavors: Smoke, Vegetal

Preparation
Boiling 0 min, 30 sec 7 g 6 OZ / 177 ML

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91

The leaves were a vibrant green. I brewed in the gaiwan, just under the boil with first two drinkable steeps at 40 secs. Beautiful flowery scent, I think lilac. A mild vegetal taste and buttery. Lovely. The liquor was a pale green. This was a sample included with my order. I’m glad, otherwise I wouldn’t have known about it. I nice surprise. Curious to see how the taste evolves over subsequent steeps.

Flavors: Butter, Floral, Vegetal

Preparation
5 g 6 OZ / 177 ML
Garret

It really is a very nice tea. This is one that I sit down and brew up 4 or 5 times a week, which is a lot considering all the other teas here in the shop that I can drink. So happy you enjoy it!

TheArchivist

Thanks Garret!

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81

I haven’t bought anything from this store before so I thought I’d test their mini tuo cha. Steeped in gaiwan. Have had two drinkable infusions so far. Deep rich brown/red in the cup. Nice Puerh smell. Smooth, full in the mouth. I quite enjoyed this. Have not experienced any agitation as I have from mini tuo cha from another vendor. They’re individually wrapped. I only used one for my 5 oz gaiwan. 20 secs an infusion so far.

Flavors: Earth

Preparation
Boiling 0 min, 30 sec 5 g 5 OZ / 147 ML

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80

I found this to be bright and predominantly roasted tasting. There’s that hint of almond/cinnamon, but I wouldn’t call that strong. Prior to steeping, when I put the leaves in the warmed gaiwan it had a lovely roasted smell. I’m currently on the second drinkable steep and like it better when it’s cooled a little. I ordered this because I was intrigued by the description. I don’t know that this would be a regular tea for me, but it didn’t disappoint.

Flavors: Almond, Cinnamon, Roasted

Preparation
180 °F / 82 °C 0 min, 45 sec 5 g 6 OZ / 177 ML

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81

I decided to make this in the gaiwan with short steeps. Smooth. Tried with and without milk. The milk did not add/improve n an way as it would with an Assam or other black tea. This tea is nice as is.

Flavors: Chocolate, Sweet, Tannin

Preparation
Boiling 0 min, 45 sec 5 g 6 OZ / 177 ML

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86
drank Da Hong Pao by Tao Tea Leaf
65 tasting notes

A really nice roasted taste, but also sweet. I had purchased a sample to see if I would like it and it’s really nice. A light brown/chestnut colour in the cup. I made this in the gaiwan with short steeps. Right now I’m on my third drinkable steep and enjoying the mouth feel. I was disappointed that it only allowed a few resteeps. With good quality tea I usually get quite a few short steeps. With this one the 4th steep was too light.

Flavors: Roasted Barley, Sweet

Preparation
180 °F / 82 °C 0 min, 45 sec 5 g 6 OZ / 177 ML

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89

A lovely floral, fresh tea. Light yellow green in the cup. I made this in a gaiwan and so far on the second drinkable steep and it is wonderful. There’s a bit of fruity as well, strikes me as apricot/peach tones.

Flavors: Floral, Fruity

Preparation
175 °F / 79 °C 0 min, 45 sec 5 g 4 OZ / 118 ML

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Bio

I’m an Archivist who is addicted to tea. I love tea—it always improves my mood. My preference is for straight black teas though there is the occasional flavoured black tea that gets me smiling. These days I’m exploring Chinese tea and gongfu cha.

Location

Toronto, Canada

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