Leaf: 6 gr
Porcelain teapot 180 ml
Temperature: 95C
Infusions: Rinse – 30s – 45s – 65s – 90s – 120s – 180s
Dry leaf – The leaf is unevenly and spontaneously curled with brown tones that remind of the withered autumn leaves. Some long and woodsy stems catch the attention of the eye. In this heap I sniffed subtle notes of flowers and something close to cocoa.
Wet leaf – Wet leaf bears a darker shade of red clay, reminding more of Sun Moon Lake black tea than the Oolong. Leaves are pretty much intact and almost leathery. Final sniff reveals mild notes of apples and cocoa.
Infusion I (30s) – Bright amber tone with rich aromas of baked apple, vanilla and cocoa on the surface. It sits easy in the mouth with the freshness that leans toward fruity acidity type and ends up in a mild sweetness in the throat. After a few sips in the middle of the smoothness is revealed with flowery and honey notes develop with additional sips.
Infusion II (45s) – Aside from the notes that followed from the first steep there’s a certain bake-y touch present in the cup. The mouthfeel is a bit fuller, sweeter and notes more pronounced notes of honey and smoothness. As the liquor cools an interesting development occurs as there’s even more smoothness in the mouth that moves in the front and give even a sticky sensation on lips. Immediately after swallowing notes of apple pits and vanilla came to presence and mingle with other elements, allowing to be savored for a long time.
Infusion III (65s) – Pronounced fruity touch of freshness and acidity like followed from the previous infusion.
Infusion IV (90s) – The fourth infusion came to be unexpected and quite a surprise as it balanced between the first and second infusion.
Infusion V (120s) – Prominent freshness, starting to notice a decline in taste and aroma.
Infusion VI (180s) – Liquor goes further into decline with some accent to long lasting silky smoothness on the tongue.
Ummm honey in Autumn!