Okay, so here we go! I deleted the last note of this one and will write my full one now!
1st steep (5sec): Light amber in colour with a light taste. It’s slightly sweet. Yum!! Smells very earthy but doesn’t taste strong of earthiness yet.
2nd (6sec): Slightly darker with some earthiness hinting through.
At this point, I pulled some of the leaves apart as they were really sticking together. Next time I wouldn’t do that and just see what the taste is when left as is.
3rd (7sec): Colour is going slightly red. Earthiness is most predominant. Not noticing the sweetness anymore.
Steeps 4-7 were still very earthy.
8th (9sec): Roasted hickory smell! Yummy! Reminded me of campfires but in a light way. It is earthy but very good. Tastes slightly woody with some of that roasted almost hickory taste! LOVING this steep! So delicious! I’m loving the hickory taste.
9 & 10: Same as above. Loved the last three steeps especially. Finished on 10 as I just felt done.
So, in conclusion, I am really enjoying this tea so far. I love using a gaiwan. I love using a tea pick. I love noticing changes in the tea as I steep it. I love how it actually does change as time goes on. I love how it brings me to a place where I stop and relax. I know to a lot of family and friends that don’t get it, that I probably seem crazy, but I love this tea journey that I seem to be on right now and how I’m really trying to find the ways I love tea the most.
Congrats and welcome to a Dark Side of Pu!
Thanks! :)