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“Dry leaves were so pungent. I don’t recall such pungency recently. And also so complex. I noticed a lots of florals. Can’t point out any particular flowers, but it was strong. And then there were...” Read full tasting note
Ancient Artisan Snow Shan Tra Pai Hao Tea is a Vietnamese black tea specialty yielded from leaves of the ancient “Thuyet Shan” (= “Snow High Mountain”) tea trees. The Thuyet Shan tea tree is native the central Vietnamese province of Ha Giang. There, at altitudes of 1400+ meters, the biodiverse and health and environment-friendly operated tea plantation of our producer partner for Vietnamese Snow Shan teas is located. The “arguably best teas in the world” convince with meticulously realized picking standard (here: 1+1) and highly diligent processing. Tra Pai Hao Black Tea combines the deep sweetness, cocoa notes and malty character of black Yunnan tea with the benefits of unparalleled quality processing and the special features of the Thuyet Shan tea tree.
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Dry leaves were so pungent. I don’t recall such pungency recently. And also so complex. I noticed a lots of florals. Can’t point out any particular flowers, but it was strong. And then there were some different aromas too, as well very strong. Those aromas were white grapes and muscatel. When I did a rinse, which maybe wasn’t needed at all. But afterwards I got another dimension — with stonefruits, mainly ripe peaches, very fuzzy and juicy in aroma.
First steep was 10 seconds long, brewed it has got that fruity note, but along with white grapes for sure. It reminds me a few good FF Darjeelings, but with extra stonefruit note. There were a bit of black tea qualities too — malt noticed. Smooth and round flavour, medium-long aftertaste.
Second steep was 15 seconds long. There is still very prominent fruity line, the malty note became much stronger as well. I don’t get cacao as desrcribed by vendor, though.
Third steep was 20 seconds long. Again a very sweet tea, with less of muscatel, white grapes; but instead stronger note of stonefruits.
Fourth steep was 30 seconds long. Malty notes dominate in this steep, along with fruity, but not stonefruits mentioned, notes.
Fifth steep was around 45 seconds long. Still tasty, however I notice that it is going slowly done. The flavours are actually weaker by a loty, but in terms of flavours it was like a fourth steep.
Sixth and last steep was really long. Well, it’s gone. I tried so hard to coax more from this tea, but in was in vain.
In conclusion yes, I want more of this tea. I will get more than this 10 grams sample. However, I think it is a wonderful tea for western steeping. A few, even long steeps can make (I suppose, it needs to be tried) wonderful flavours, but it doesn’t last long when steeped many times.
Whoops, apparently I meant eastern steeping, instead of western. I am, keeping it this way, though :)