215 Tasting Notes
Resteep with cooler water gave a less flavorful, but smoother, brew. Light yellow liquor, faint sweet aroma, thin mouthfeel. Greens are challenging for me, despite wanting to find some I really enjoy. This one seems barely worth drinking. If that is the most I can say, perhaps this sample will be the last of it.
Potpourri appearance with whole herbs displayed in an organza (ultra fine mesh) sachet. I love a good-lookin’ tea! A tsp of light agave nectar rounded the flavor out and added body. Similar to the less pricey Stash Lemon Blossom, but lacks it’s lemony zip. Very good in its own, milder way. I taste safflower, but it’s not in the ingredients listed by Mighty Leaf. P.S. Thanks to Becky, my tea swap partner, who sent me such a fine selection!
3rd steep continues some wood & moss, 4th too faded to be satisfying. This tea’s simpler flavor profile (compared to some I’ve had) may be related to the fact that the wet, unfurled leaf lacks reddish edges or spots, being an even dark, glossy green. Good tea but not thrilling.
The dry tea is multicolored, finely milled, with a fruity aroma. A 4 min steep gave me a rosy liquor which was unfortunately too bitter to drink without milk and sugar. Compared to the fine Mim Darjeeling I had recently, this tea appears a candidate for making into chai.
Heaping tsp tea, 10 oz water at 190F, 4 min yielded an enjoyably brisk, clear amber liquor. I don’t really notice the blackcurrant flavor, which is disappointing, and with milk and sugar, the green tea notes are lost. This calls for trying a whole cup without milk.
2nd steep, 4 min with a few leaves still balled up afterwards! Aroma a little less woody and more green, hinting of roasted chestnut. Flavors are smoother and better integrated than in 1st brewing. Fresh, medium bodied liquor carries a subtle sweetness. I’m definitely forming a positive impression.
Dry tea fragrance is very sweet but not floral. This China oolong wasn’t rinsed first, so the initial steep was 5 min, 190F and didn’t fully unfurl the leaves. Liquor is light gold with hint of green and aroma of wood rather than nut. Flavor is wood and moss, not astringent, with a lingering sweet finish.
