134 Tasting Notes

85

So glad I included this in my last order. I really enjoy sheng Pu’er and the astringency that mellows over time. Not everyone’s taste, but I sure enjoy it. What amazes me is the progression of flavors through multiple steeps, and the aroma is just amazing.

Flavors: Dry Grass, Green Wood, Leather

Preparation
190 °F / 87 °C 0 min, 15 sec 5 g 5 OZ / 150 ML

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86

I was quite happily surprised by the quality and intense flavor of the brew from this lightly oxidized and lightly toasted tea. Very refreshing and yet lush with buttery tones and a natural floral green-ness that is very uplifting and a pleasure to drink. Generally I have not been a fan of most Milk Oolongs, but this one could become quite addictive. And the number of re-steeps from the leaves was phenomenal, making it quite economical as I savored cup after cup.

Flavors: Butter, Floral, Green

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 3 min, 30 sec 1 tsp 12 OZ / 354 ML

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86

The past few months I have been enjoying a wide variety of Oolong teas, from very green lightly toasted varieties to the deeply roasted and highly oxidized varieties. I first tried this Ruby Oolong from Thailand in a small sampler, then in a larger quantity when I fell in love with the rich flavors, beautiful color and enticing aroma. It is a very comforting tea, reminding me a bit of very good quality Da Hong Pao (Big Red Robe), but with interesting notes of cacao and dried black cherry in the background. A very pleasant and adaptable tea that everyone seems to like.

Flavors: Black Currant, Cacao, Dried Fruit

Preparation
190 °F / 87 °C 2 min, 30 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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82

A surprisingly mild Pu-erh, with a hint of sweetness in later steeps. Initially very woody and earthy. A nice tea for those new to Pu-erh, and for those who enjoy medium complexity.

Flavors: Earth, Oak, Peat

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 0 min, 30 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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82

An interesting tea that changed a bit with each steep of the leaves. Sunny, warm flavor of cut sweet grass with some nutty tones. A really pleasant green tea to warm a cool fall day. Lovely amber color, and good for at least three resteeps before the flavor fades.

Flavors: Nutty, Sweet, Warm Grass

Preparation
180 °F / 82 °C 1 min, 45 sec 1 tsp 6 OZ / 177 ML
Doug F

Welcome back. Haven’t seen any notes from you in a while.

E Alexander Gerster

Thanks Doug. Funny how I got away from leaving tasting notes, and don’ t really know why!

Doug F

I was surprised to see you mention a cool fall day. Weren’t you living in Florida?

E Alexander Gerster

After living most of my life in Miami, FL I moved to Raleigh, NC 18 months ago. Among other factors, it is nice to be where lots of folks like tea, and where we have 4 seasons instead of Miami’s eternal summer heat and humidity!

Doug F

I totally get it. I’ve always lived in the Northeast but went to grad school at UF and my family had a house in the Keys for many years. I couldn’t handle the heat and humidity year round.

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60

One of the least favorite teas I ever received in a Steepster select box. Perhaps I received the “bottom of the barrel” scrapings, but the mere teaspoon sample in the pouch was not identifiable as any type of oolong. More like a musty mess of really poor grade leaves. I like earthy teas, but this really was sub par. Rethinking the cost of Steepster Select with the tiny size of samples recently.

Flavors: Decayed Wood, Dirt, Earth

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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90

Very pleased with this tasty, aroma filled Assam. A very pleasant maltiness in the background and a sweet, fresh flavor and aroma up front. Much less dark and dense than many similar teas that are picked later in the year. Clean and crisp.

Flavors: Dates, Honey, Malt

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 4 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 12 OZ / 354 ML

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88

Loved this hot last fall when I first tried it, put a few notes on the pouch that simply said: “Very good, Nice Spice, Try Iced.” I was overloaded with chai tea blends at the time, and put it away, only to have it resurface this week. I used the remainder of the pouch to make a full pot of tea a few days ago for breakfast and was pleasantly surprised by green cardamom pods and other spices that blend so nicely with the Sri Lankan black tea base. I reserved enough to have iced later in the day and it was excellent. Invigorating and refreshing.

Flavors: Cardamom, Clove, Spicy

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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Profile

Bio

I have been drinking tea for most of my life, and enjoy learning about Tea Culture from all around the world. I learned early about Russian and British traditions first, since my parents came from Europe, followed by the teas and culture of Ceylon/Sri Lanka and India. Since I have been a practicing Buddhist for the better part of 25 years, I have strong ties to Asia, and have slowly been learning about the teas from each part of the world I encounter. It is a wonderful and interesting journey.

Location

Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

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