8/3/14 Update:
Based on the feedback of gmathis, I decided to give this tea one more try with an increased brewing time. I used the maximum recommended brewing time listed on the Tao Tea Leaf package for this specific tea.
Additionally, in Scribbles review she wrote:
“Today, I’m not feeling the love for this tea. It tastes a little stale and off, and it shouldn’t be stale since this is one of my newer tea’s. But I didn’t steep it as long as I normally would, so I’m not writing this one off just yet. Off flavour is probably user error.”
6 oz. / 2 tsp. (4 g) / 212*F / 3 min.
Liquor: Clear dark amber
A full-bodied, fairly robust, somewhat thick, smooth, juicy, malty and earthy black breakfast tea with zero astringency or bitterness. There is a definite juicy aftertaste that persists long on the front of the tongue similar to a Keemun.
The additional minute produces an initially stronger more robust cup. However, as the cup cools, the tea once again becomes less robust and less satisfying . The difference today is that the longer steep produces a more robust initial cup so it’s not quite as mild near the bottom of the cool cup as yesterday. Unlike yesterday, there is now bitterness at the bottom of the cup. which has left a bitter aftertaste. Thus, a steep longer than 3 min. is likely to become more bitter.
Impression: Based on this tea sample, I would not be inclined to purchase this tea.
Flavors: Earth, Malt
Preparation
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Maybe this tea is good for gongfu? I prefer to steep my Chinese tea gongfu
After my experence brewing seveal cups, I doubt this sample is able to produce a satisfactory cup.
Come back to it in a few. And I would gongfu 4g 4oz short steeps like 15/20 /30 sec. After all you have nothing to loose!
Have you compared my 2 reviews with the ones from scribbles & gmathis? gmathis was able to brew an enjoyable western cup.
Maybe this tea is good for gongfu? I prefer to steep my Chinese tea gongfu
After my experence brewing seveal cups, I doubt this sample is able to produce a satisfactory cup.
Come back to it in a few. And I would gongfu 4g 4oz short steeps like 15/20 /30 sec. After all you have nothing to loose!
Have you compared my 2 reviews with the ones from scribbles & gmathis? gmathis was able to brew an enjoyable western cup.