205 Tasting Notes
Second sample from ORT. This one isn’t too bad. I wouldn’t turn it away if it were offered.
Lasts 12+ steeps. Mouthfeel is nothing special, but somewhat thick. Not much hui gan or cha qi. Mild bitterness that is fairly enjoyable. No sweetness.
Harvest: April 2023
Location: Kuashan, Lincang, Yunnan
Dry leaf: Apricot
Wet leaf: Same
Flavors: Grapes, cream, fruity
Flavors: Apricot, Cream, Fruity, Grapes
My first sample from a new order from ORT. Mostly intrigued by their offerings, so decided to give them a try even though they are a somewhat lesser known company. This one is just okay. Overall a bit too watery for me, but what flavor is there is good. Definitely will finish the sample at some point.
No sweetness or bitterness. Thin, watery mouthfeel. Lasts about 8 steeps. Not incredibly complex as I would expect from a Dancong.
Harvest: Spring 2023
Cultivar: Xingrenxiang
Location: Zhuliu Village, Phoenix Mountains, Chaozhou
Dry leaf: Dried apricot
Wet leaf: Same
Taste: Dried apricot, watery, thin, fruity
Flavors: Apricot, Fruity, Thin, Watery
Second of two senchas from Kettl. This one is less than 1/3 the price of the Saikou, and is certainly not as good. But for $0.18/g, this one is really good! I really am liking Kettl’s teas, but I wish they would sell sample sizes. If they did, they’d be the perfect Western-facing (cheaper shipping) Japanese green tea seller. I like their subscription service as well, but feel like I should try some of their other teas before deciding on one if that’s the route I choose.
This one has a very unique aroma for a sencha that I can’t quite pin down. The mouthfeel is much thinner than the Saikou, but that’s expected given the website’s description of this tea as “light and elegant.” It is certainly that. Also the sweetest sencha I’ve tried I think. No bitterness or astringency. Lasts 4 infusions.
Harvest: Spring, 2023
Location: Uji
Dry leaf: Vegetal, umami.
Wet leaf: Same.
Flavors: Vegetal, umami, light, mineral, sweet
Flavors: Light, Mineral, Sweet, Umami, Vegetal
Decided to order from Kettl as I’ve heard so many good things from so many people about their senchas. I must say, I am quite impressed from this first sample! This stuff is the sencha most like gyokuro I’ve had, and the richest I’ve had as well. Also somewhat similar to Chinese greens in a strange way. Basically no grassy flavor like lots of Japanese greens.
It has this prominent savory vegetal note that I can’t quite place. But it’s really amazing. So smooth, with a thick mouthfeel like gyokuro. Lasts 6 infusions. No bitterness or astringency. Incredibly clean. I would guess this is a medium-steamed tea.
Year: 2023
Origin: Yame, Fukuoka
Cultivars: Blend
Dry leaf: Savory, vegetal
Wet leaf: Same
Flavor: Savory, vegetal, broth, artichoke, roasty, thick, butter
Flavors: Artichoke, Broth, Butter, Roasty, Savory, Thick, Vegetal
The last of my samples from this KTM order, and the last of the LiMing teas I have tried. The quality of their teas overall is quite variable. Some tolerable while others are great and others are pretty bad. Can’t ask for anything too crazy at the price points for their tea, and it’s certainly a lot cheaper than old Dayi or Xiaguan.
Mild-med astringency that lingers. A bit of hui gan that’s nice. Mouthfeel is pretty thick. Mild sweetness, mild bitterness.
Flavors: Sweet, smoke, fruity, apple.
Flavors: Apple, Astringent, Bitter, Fruity, Smoke, Sweet
First MKRS tea I’ve tried. Not writing them off based on one sample, but this one was very mehh. Basically no flavors I could tell other than maybe a bit of smoke. Nothing harsh about this one either, but at $0.20/g, this would be a massive waste of money IMO.
Will likely revisit other MKRS offerings in the future as they are so well-liked by teaheads online haha.
Flavors: Smoke
The most disappointing showing for LiMing so far. Not undrinkable, just kind of bland to my taste buds. No harsh notes or anything, but the main flavor I get is just the typical semi-aged “puerh” note that’s difficult to put a finger on. For this price, it’s certainly not worth it. One more sample of LiMing to try before I’m done with the bunch. Doubting any can compare to the Light of Dawn. Strange how inconsistent their teas seem to be. Makes sampling broadly all the more important.
Flavors: Hay
Hmmm this one isn’t bad. Not good enough to cake, especially as it sits in the shadow of their Light of Dawn. But a respectable puerh for sure. I’m sure this is not Gu Shu per say, although the leaves are fairly large for a factory puerh.
No astringency or bitterness. Mild sweetness.
Flavors: Hay, Sweet
This cake is wonderful. Super well balanced. Fruity flavors from the start, sweeter honey flavors towards the end. Smokey background note throughout. Better believe I’m caking this one :).
No astringency or bitterness. Mouthfeel is medium thickness. Mild-moderate sweetness that builds with the steeps. Get about 12 infusions out of it.
Dry leaf: Smoke
Wet leaf: Smoke, herbal
Flavors: Hay, smoke, sweet, honey, apple, herbal
Flavors: Apple, Hay, Herbal, Honey, Smoke, Sweet
First Liu Bao, and the third heicha I’ve tried (Hunan Fu Zhuan, Shou). Pretty similar to shous I’ve had, although I prefer many shous to this specific example. Not really bad, just very basic. The main distinguishing factor is root/root vegetable notes.
No sweetness, bitterness, astringency. Mouthfeel is similar to shou – medium thickness. Smooth, easy drinking.
Dry leaf: Camphor, cardboard
Wet leaf: Radish, parsnip
Flavors: Roots, wet forest floor, dirt, decay
Flavors: Camphor, Cardboard, Decayed Wood, Dirt, Forest Floor, Roots
