Finding myself at a loss for words especially with the dried leaves it is like no tea I’ve ever smelled before, its deep and rich but also fresh, it smells of quality. Brewed leaves are a bit more familiar, chocolaty. The small wiry dried leaves unfurled into long dark luxurious leaves.
The first sip is amazing so sweet and bold and smooth (in a cool way rather than buttery warmth) there is definitely cocoa notes, dark chocolate, with a hint of fig and warming up to a bit of butter, later comes the spice, the end note is a tiny bit dry but I’m going to attribute this partially to my throat and it is much better than teas that start off dry.
So… sweet, rich, butter, spice, repeat at least for the first steep. Would make a good morning tea as well as an excellent dessert tea. Second steep is even more sweet if that is possible and has less spice. This tea is so accessible, I would recommend it to everyone.
I did try a third steep and while there was some sweetness left it was but a ghost of its former glory. Perhaps I would have extended it to 5 mins, but even still I dot think it would have been a whole lot stronger. Still I drank it all. I am okay with it only producing two delicious western steeps, not all tea needs to last all day long and this one is certainly special enough while it lasts. Of course would be interested with gongfu brewing. The first steep I did at 195 for 3 mins, second at 200ish for 4 mins and third at 212 for 4.5 mins.
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So happy you enjoyed this one, Autumn. It’s a big personal favorite of mine. With regard to brewing this tea gongfu, I can’t recommend it enough if you have even basic utensils to try. I just brewed that way again this morning and found it deeply fulfilling as always. I think it’s perfect at around 2 teaspoons for about 3oz of water, 5-10 seconds for the first few infusions then add 5 to 15 seconds for each following infusion, according to your tastes. I’ll usually steep it at least 10 times this way. Then one long 5+ minute infusion at the tail end. In my experience, this tea will not go bitter no matter how hard you try. Hope you continue to enjoy it! Happy drinking!
So happy you enjoyed this one, Autumn. It’s a big personal favorite of mine. With regard to brewing this tea gongfu, I can’t recommend it enough if you have even basic utensils to try. I just brewed that way again this morning and found it deeply fulfilling as always. I think it’s perfect at around 2 teaspoons for about 3oz of water, 5-10 seconds for the first few infusions then add 5 to 15 seconds for each following infusion, according to your tastes. I’ll usually steep it at least 10 times this way. Then one long 5+ minute infusion at the tail end. In my experience, this tea will not go bitter no matter how hard you try. Hope you continue to enjoy it! Happy drinking!