moraiwe Send Message

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94
drank Qing Pin Black Tea by Yezi Tea
615 tasting notes

Like TastyBrew, I passed this over when doing my free samples because the descriptor ‘smoky’ typically scares me away. But I’m really really glad they included this, because it’s really lovely.

The dry leaf smells kind of cocoa, sweet wood, and plums. It didn’t smell quite like, but was really evocative of an aged Merlot.

I brewed this up western style, with just under 2 teaspoons at 205, for 4 minutes for my 9 oz cup.

The steeped aroma changes into something warmer and sweeter, still a little plummy smelling, but also has a lovely earthiness to it and cocoa. I could sit here and smell this all day. Yum. The taste was naturally sweet, with a wonderful toasted nuttiness and slightly fruity notes that hung somewhere between peach and plum. There’s also a definite cocoa hint in here too that tails the end of the sip. I’m not getting anything I’d call smokey, but definitely roasty toasty and warming.

This is an awesome introduction to Yezi Tea and I can’t wait to try the rest of my samples. I’m pretty sure there’s definitely going to be an order from this.
Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 4 min, 0 sec
9 comments
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Terri HarpLady
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Yay! How big are the samples?

moraiwe
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All of mine were 5g samples :)

TastyBrew
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@moraiwe — I’m glad you like it too! I tried all 6 and I wouldn’t consider any of them smoky. But when I think smoky, I think Lapsang Souchong. None are like that. All 6 are delicious. Did you get the high mountain one too? That one is super good.

@Terri- This is coming your way from me. This and the high mountain one. And then I’m sending a few more the next time around, so don’t buy it…YET! I’m sure you’ll want to buy some of your own once you try this.

moraiwe
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I agree on the Lapsang smokey thing. Like, there’s roasted. And then there’s smokey. And it’s the latter category I don’t like.

But yes! I grabbed the Gao Shan High Mountain and the Jin Jun (and then the Dong Ding oolong) and now I’m even more excited to try them!

Terri HarpLady
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Did you guys try the zheng shan xiao zhong, the Shui Xian Da Hong Pao, or any of the puerhs?

Terri HarpLady
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TastyB, I’m excited that you’re sending some! Yay!

TastyBrew
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I tried the zheng shan xiao zhong and it will be in the box next time around. I haven’t tried any oolongs or puerhs yet. Order free samples of those and let me know!

Terri HarpLady
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That’s the plan! I wanted to make sure to get samples of stuff you were NOT sending! :)

moraiwe
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I debated on the Shui Xian Da Hong Pao, so if you end up with that one definitely let us know!

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Comments

Terri HarpLady
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Yay! How big are the samples?

moraiwe
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All of mine were 5g samples :)

TastyBrew
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@moraiwe — I’m glad you like it too! I tried all 6 and I wouldn’t consider any of them smoky. But when I think smoky, I think Lapsang Souchong. None are like that. All 6 are delicious. Did you get the high mountain one too? That one is super good.

@Terri- This is coming your way from me. This and the high mountain one. And then I’m sending a few more the next time around, so don’t buy it…YET! I’m sure you’ll want to buy some of your own once you try this.

moraiwe
Delete

I agree on the Lapsang smokey thing. Like, there’s roasted. And then there’s smokey. And it’s the latter category I don’t like.

But yes! I grabbed the Gao Shan High Mountain and the Jin Jun (and then the Dong Ding oolong) and now I’m even more excited to try them!

Terri HarpLady
Delete

Did you guys try the zheng shan xiao zhong, the Shui Xian Da Hong Pao, or any of the puerhs?

Terri HarpLady
Delete

TastyB, I’m excited that you’re sending some! Yay!

TastyBrew
Delete

I tried the zheng shan xiao zhong and it will be in the box next time around. I haven’t tried any oolongs or puerhs yet. Order free samples of those and let me know!

Terri HarpLady
Delete

That’s the plan! I wanted to make sure to get samples of stuff you were NOT sending! :)

moraiwe
Delete

I debated on the Shui Xian Da Hong Pao, so if you end up with that one definitely let us know!

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Profile

Bio

Intro:

Name: Lauren
Location: Wisconsin (previously a Chicago girl)
Occupation: Student by day and super hero by night
Super Hero? Yep!
Which One? I can’t tell you that! Secret identities and such. Just know I’m not the hero they want, but the hero they need.
Sidekicks: Fiance and two budgies, Skitter and Gandalf

Hobbies:

Reading, writing, cooking, video games, computers, drawing, crafting, papercraft. Oh and tea.

A brief history:

I grew up in a family where the only working coffee maker was in my dad’s office. So the name of the game for my mother and I quickly became (bagged) tea. In 2004/2005, I discovered Adagio Teas. I don’t remember how it happened, or why I decided to pursue a purchase but here we are. I haven’t looked back.

My tea tastes have changed over time and I’ve moved from liking solely flavored teas (mostly black and white) to enjoying Darjeelings primarily, though malty unflavored blacks, fresh tasting greens, and lightly oxidized oolongs come in pretty high on my list, too. Of course, I still enjoy a good cup of flavored tea. I prefer caffeinated teas, as I have a horrible caffeine addiction that I don’t plan on kicking any time soon.

Red rooibos and lapsang souchong (or other strongly smoky teas) are my arch nemeses and I will see them defeated and removed by force from my cupboard. Like all thing, there are exceptions, but I assume they’re guilty until proven innocent.

I really don’t like negatively rating things, because I feel like if you don’t have something nice to say, you probably shouldn’t say it. But in the interest of non-biased tea reviews I’m going to give it a shot. I view every tea as a potential adventure so I’ll try most things at least once.

I love trading and swaps are always welcome! Please note, though, what it in my cupboard includes amounts ranging from a couple cups to 4 ounces or more, so please PM me to find out if what you’re seeking is available in that trade amount.

According to my spreadsheet, I also have about 100 other 1-4 cup samples that are not in my cupboard.. Feel free to message if you’re interested in see the spreadsheet for possible swap options as well.

Tea Ratings:

100-95 Nectar of the teagods that has been bestowed upon my unworthy tongue. I will never let this tin run empty.

86-94 These are the teas I would like to keep regularly stocked, but sometimes life gets in the way. Lovely teas, but not quite god tier. I still get cravings for these.

74-85 Good teas, but not amazing. I enjoy these, but may or may not restock once they run out. I would still recommend these to others.

60-73 Not bad. I’ll gladly keep drinking my cup, and wouldn’t say no if someone offered me this tea. I probably won’t rebuy these as there is likely something else that is comparable and better.

47-59 Certainly drinkable and might even have some characteristics that I enjoy, but I won’t pick it up again

30-46 I’ll probably finish my cup, but this tea isn’t to my taste OR it’s just overwhemingly mediocre. Life’s too short for bad tea.

11-29 This cup is in the sink now and I will never willingly consume this again. If you see a tea rated this way, I probably followed it with mouthwash.

0-10 Please say a prayer for the cup I destroyed in the process of disposing of this tea in the quickest manner possible. I may need tea therapy before I drink a similar tea again.

Location

Wisconsin, US

Website

http://atinyteapot.tumblr.com/

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