85
drank 2013 Liu An Hei Cha by Yunnan Craft
1541 tasting notes

Another new company for me, Yunnan Craft, found via a Steepster member review. I enjoy the no BS communication and approach of the vendor.

This is my first time trying a Liu An heicha, a fermented tea similar to shou puerh. I’m keeping this review short because I’m just really enjoying sipping on this and sharing it with housemate #2, not really taking notes.

Brewed gongfu in a 180mL clay teapot, 205-212F, drank the rinse because there was absolutely no fermentation aroma present in the dry leaf — pure chocolate. Already full of flavor, bright with plenty of cherry and plum, mineral, complemented by a robust backbone of nutty milk chocolate, caramel, graham cracker, nutmeg and wood, faint bamboo. Light coffee-roasted chicory aftertaste. Very aromatic, active in the mouth with tingling and light salivation, smooth and soothing, warming. Later leaves a constricting, tannic throat feel that’s a bit distracting. Housemate #2 took some CBD drops before I handed her a cup and said the flavor of the tea cut right through the CBD. She’s really impressed by it.

This reminds me of a cross between a shou puerh and a medium to heavy roast Wuyi oolong without char notes.

Flavors: Bamboo, Caramel, Cherry, Chocolate, Coffee, Graham Cracker, Mineral, Nutmeg, Nutty, Plum, Smooth, Tannin, Wood

Preparation
0 min, 15 sec 9 g 6 OZ / 180 ML
Leafhopper

I was looking at Yunnan Craft’s site a while ago and was tempted by their low prices. Did you get any blacks or oolongs from them? Also, what’s the shipping like?

derk

I haven’t yet ordered any of his black or oolong though, like you said, the prices are very tempting! My first order consisting of puerh and heicha totaled roughly 1.1kg and $115 USD. For that weight, shipping was ~$17 USD.

derk

I don’t remember through what method/carrier the parcel was shipped but it did arrive within 2 weeks I think.

Leafhopper

Thanks! That’s reasonable given the size of your order.

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Comments

Leafhopper

I was looking at Yunnan Craft’s site a while ago and was tempted by their low prices. Did you get any blacks or oolongs from them? Also, what’s the shipping like?

derk

I haven’t yet ordered any of his black or oolong though, like you said, the prices are very tempting! My first order consisting of puerh and heicha totaled roughly 1.1kg and $115 USD. For that weight, shipping was ~$17 USD.

derk

I don’t remember through what method/carrier the parcel was shipped but it did arrive within 2 weeks I think.

Leafhopper

Thanks! That’s reasonable given the size of your order.

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Bio

This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. And thus I step away.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile. Terpene fiend.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, Nepal and Darjeeling. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possess off flavors/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s pu’er, I likely think it needs more age.

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California, USA

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