34 Tasting Notes
Second taste 12/7/2020 5am
same brew setup as session 1.
met with the same mystery aroma (it is heavy on the back of tongue) and I am more convinced that I will yearn for this experience when the sample is gone.
I’m feeling relaxing energy. I meant to get some leisurely things done this morning, but all I want to do is sit down, quietly and enjoy this tea undistracted.
I think this would also be a great tea for some yoga/stretching. I’m feeing encouraged to stretch and try mending lingering physical stress. Seeming more and more of a nice stress “fixer” medicine tea.
I am reminded that this tea did not upset my empty stomach, surprisingly rare for me.
12/5/2020 First trial of 25 gram sample. 5am.
7.5 grams in Hawaii pot.
S2 – tasty. there is something special in the flavor here.
S4 – noticed again how pleasant the flavor is as I finished a cooled bowl.
Curious to know your thoughts on it :)
I almost added a sample of this one in my latest YS order.
Whoops, I forgot to save the session. See update, though I plan to give this a few more session notes in future trials.
I’m curious if you can recommend a best practice for multiple tasting session notes. Is it best to create new reviews each time, or go back and comment on the original or edit the original (to keep a single, growing log in one review)? I’m torn on how to manage multiples, especially since I don’t always capture full-rounded thoughts at each sitting. I hope that makes sense!
I don’t believe there is a best practice. Personally, the notes I write for new teas are usually spread over two sessions. In the first one, I focus on the specifics and just write down some pointers. In this way, the writing and formulating part doesn’t distract me from the experience itself. In the second session, I then focus more on the overall experience and how the different aspects fit together, while also writing a more coherent note for Steepster.
However, different approaches work for different people, tea drinking is a very personal and subjective activity after all. I wouldn’t worry about having multiple notes for the same tea, each capturing only a facet of the tea. In some sense, that feels more natural, since different sessions and their circumstances will interact uniquely with the tea in question to highlight specific aspects.
Thank you for your thoughts! I’m not surprised that there isn’t a general best practice – as you stated, the experience is so personal it would be difficult and maybe torturous to attempt standardization! Ultimately and selfishly, I hope to find a method that is most useful for me to review past thoughts and experiences.
I did end up buying two cakes of this tea. One for myself and one as a gift.
12/4/2020 Afternoon bowl tea – first bowl cooled boiling water.
Teas is rolled similar to oolong. Very light first bowl.
Hit the second bowl with water just off boil. This green tea works well with hot water.
Biggest takeaway is subtle and refreshing.
Also benefits from a long steeping it seems. Possibly a good candidate for boiled teas as well – seems patient and sturdy.
12/4/2020 Late morning bowl tea using a pitcher to cool down water that is just off boil.
Early impression is the dry smell is pleasant almost fruity. The tea is curly and fun to take a pinch of.
First bowl, the tea sank readily to bottom of bowl – very nice! Flavor is light but gaining strength toward end of bowl. Suddenly hit with taste or fresh corn? I wish aroma identification came easier to me!
Bowl three is a stand out – very smooth liquor. A joy to arrive here.
I’ll be taking a break for lunch and coming back to this later.
12/2/2020
Late Night bowl tea using water just off boil. This is my last of this sample.
Aroma is sweet and enticing. Leaves are small and often broken making first steeping in bowl a challenge to drink cleanly. May have been better suited for gaiwan.
