This was a weird tea. I did it Western style at work and really liked the first steeping. I got all the buttery and fruity notes. Second steep was immediately dry and bitter. Figured I did something wrong so proceeded to 3rd steep. Still had flavor, but not as fruity and the buttery notes were mostly gone. Again, I likely did something not right to get something so distinctly different from the shop’s tasting notes. I used the full tablespoon of leaves for 8 ounces of water and holy cats, is that a lot of leaves, especially after steeping.
Did it in a gaiwan tonight. About 1 teaspoon in 140ml water for 30 seconds. Again, the nice buttery notes were back but not as much fruit but some floral appeared. Second installment at 45 seconds. Bitterness creeping in, very drying.
Then came the weirdness. Third installment at another 45 seconds. I’m getting that ginseng/licorice root lingering sweetness on my tongue and lips. Starting to wonder if there is something in my teaware or my kettle. I only get it on the greens and oolongs though, maybe the blacks mask it. Dunno. But I hate that sweetness. Is there an illness or something that can cause that?? I try not to look up health stuff online since everything you look up will kill you, according to the internet, but now I’m wondering. I’m at the age when the warranty has expired and everything is breaking this year. :)
