This sheng was so powerful I had to spread the steeping across two days both times. It’s also in an awkward stage. Kind of a musty-sour aroma early on that turns to an enjoyable bitter-sour-sweet and somewhat smoky smell. There’s an acidic-metallic drying tinge in the mouth that builds and slowly subsides. This character is somewhat balanced by a complex activity in the mouth, moderate camphor and spiciness, a strong returning sweetness quick to show (first steep) and a lingering buttery caramel-floral plum aftertaste that rises in the sinuses. Bitterness isn’t too strong but it does seem to spread into every crevice. Tannic feeling in a horseshoe around the back and sides of the tongue. This tea seems dry stored to me.
It does have plenty of kick in the mouth, gut and body. A full stomach is a requirement for me. The energy feels like it pushes outward throughout my whole body, and along with a perceived growth in size, I slow down. Very much a body load tea and high in caffeine/stimulating compounds. This tea still needs time. The rough-and-tumble adolescence will probably age into a pleasant tea eventually.
A few things to note. Leaf’s in good shape but still pretty green. The rinse liquid and drips from each infusion remained clear into the next day and this liquid turned a dark and cool wooden brown.
Thankee mrmopar :)
Flavors: Astringent, Bitter, Butter, Campfire, Camphor, Caramel, Drying, Floral, Metallic, Mineral, Musty, Plum, Sour, Spicy, Tannic
Welcome, I like this one and wished I had grabbed more. I agree it’s a full on tea.