1
drank gyokuro by Ming Tao Xuan
56 tasting notes

Oh no, eeech, eeeeeecccchhhhhhhh

I’ve never had a tea before that I actively disliked. Oh boy, I don’t like this one. I don’t know if it’s a bad one or if I’m just an uncultured swine and truly can’t appreciate the finer things in life.

Dear God, it’s terrible. I’ve brewed it several different ways and each time I find it just deplorable. I’ve done water anywhere between room temp and 160F, steeping times between 2 seconds and 2 minutes. Some crazy person online recommended brewing it with straight ice but I just can’t imagine that’ll save it. It’s wretched. I’m wretched. The only thing worse than the broccolifish taste is my guilt for not having an appreciation for this supposedly fine tea.

I acknowledge that it’s complex. Somewhere past my horror I notice a fine balance of seaweedy umami and a good deal of sweetness. Still I have nothing but contempt for this vividly green, tepid fishwash that I find before me.

Forgive me, Steepster. I’m unworthy. I’m so sorry.

Preparation
10 g 3 OZ / 80 ML
fluffduck

P.S. if there’s anyone out there with gyokuro experience who would accept the remaining leaves I will gladly send them in exchange for feedback on whether this is good gyokuro or deadly, deadly poison disguised as tea

eastkyteaguy

Hey, I just noticed something. You may want to back off on the amount of leaf you’re using (10 grams for 3 fluid ounces seems like a lot to me). I do not have a ton of experience with gyokuro, but I seem to recall it being able to get vert astringent and seaweedy quickly. If you haven’t already done so, try using less leaf. If that doesn’t do it, then you may just have a bad tea. Either that or gyokuro may just not be for you. To be honest, it’s not one of my favorite things (bancha, genmaicha, and sencha are more appealing to me), so you wouldn’t be the only one of that’s the case.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

People who liked this

Comments

fluffduck

P.S. if there’s anyone out there with gyokuro experience who would accept the remaining leaves I will gladly send them in exchange for feedback on whether this is good gyokuro or deadly, deadly poison disguised as tea

eastkyteaguy

Hey, I just noticed something. You may want to back off on the amount of leaf you’re using (10 grams for 3 fluid ounces seems like a lot to me). I do not have a ton of experience with gyokuro, but I seem to recall it being able to get vert astringent and seaweedy quickly. If you haven’t already done so, try using less leaf. If that doesn’t do it, then you may just have a bad tea. Either that or gyokuro may just not be for you. To be honest, it’s not one of my favorite things (bancha, genmaicha, and sencha are more appealing to me), so you wouldn’t be the only one of that’s the case.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Profile

Bio

If I take a hot bath, am I making me-tea?

Location

Space Coast, Florida

Following These People

Moderator Tools

Mark as Spammer