Autumn Laoshan Black

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I recently ordered the spring and autumn harvests of Laoshan Black (and green) because I wasn’t sure which one to get. I’ve been enjoying both of them and haven’t paid enough attention to notice much of a difference, so I thought with my last servings, I would do a side-by-side comparison to determine which one I want to order.

First up, the spring version! Very smooth and malty with lightly toasted grainy notes. It has a very creamy texture and a slightly creamy taste as well. More woody notes in the middle, and a touch of musty hay. Then the end of the sip brings some subtle floral notes. And underneath it all is a wonderful deep flavor with dark cocoa notes and a touch of burnt sugar.

And then there’s fall! Definitely noticing some differences now that I’m trying them together. This one is rounder with noticeable maple notes. I don’t get the same creamy, full texture, but I do feel that I get more sweetness. Similar toasted grains and wood, but noticing less mustiness and a “cleaner” taste overall. Definitely some autumn leaf vibes going on. The finish is more toasty and less lingering. Does still have those deep cocoa notes.

It’s crazy tasting the spring version after the autumn, it almost seems like it’s had milk added to it. And yet I do love those sweet maple notes from the autumn harvest. Spring is definitely stronger in the finish, with long-lingering toasty notes and gentle florals. Also worth noting, the spring would’ve been a bit fresher as I purchased these in the summer.

Hmm, I feel like I didn’t decide which one I prefer, LOL. Maybe I’ll just order both again… I think as soon as the autumn harvest is available for this year, I’ll just pick up 50g bags of both and see how I feel about them in a few months.

This sample came from Shae, it’s about time I tried it.
The first steep is nutty and salty and smoky. Reminds me a bit of barbecue, or maybe that’s what I had for lunch. It’s quite smooth and the aftertaste a bit malty.
Second steep is roasty, nutty, malty and astringent.
Third steep is smooth, weak and still roasty.
Certainly a candidate for grandpa style brewing, and I might be tempted to add to an order, bu not to seek it out. Thanks for the sample, Shae, glad I got to try it.

Pouch from the Autumn 2019. It’s good; everything you’d expect from an LB. Rich, chocolatey, malty, very tasty.

Autumn 2019 Harvest
Date of Picking: September 2019

I made an order with Verdant a month or so ago and decided to grab a small amount of each of the Laoshan Black harvests available so that I could try each and compare them. I should have used more tea and/or more water for this one; the flavor is much lighter than I would have liked. I think I’ll resteep and see how it holds up. Holding on the rating for now.

Second Steep
6 ounces water + 212 degrees + 20 minutes

The second cup leaves a lot to be desired, and I’m certain it’s because I botched the first cup. There is a mineral flavor in this steep that I hadn’t noticed before, plus something else I can’t quite put my finger on. Overall, it’s far too light for my taste.

Sample 6/19. I have more steepings to go, but wow, I really like this tea. The leaves are beautiful. I knew I was in for something good when I opened the packet. Dry, I thought the tea something like licorice or even pumpkin spice. I tried to brew the tea based on their gongfu recommendations (and failed miserably, but oh well!). There are so many flavors and smells in this tea. It’s unlike any black tea I’ve tried before. The first steep (which was supposed to be for 10 seconds but ended up more like 40) reminded me of all sorts of things I’ve smelled in the past, christmas tree farms, peppered steak with roasted vegetables, mexican hot chocolate minus the chocolate.. in taste, it reminded me vaguely of honey (like most black tea does) but a more woodsy honey. The second steeping (shorter this time), was equally incredible. I don’t know why it reminds me so much of the roasted peppered zuchinni/mixed vegetables my dad makes with steak… I need to ask him how he seasoned that!

Just finished off a 25g pack, down to 6 or so more packs. I love having lots of this on hand, as it’s really comforting and I prefer a drastically over-leafed cup. So rich and chocolatey.

This last week has been quite strange. I’ve been looking for a new job for over a year…transitioning careers is tough stuff. Very happy to say that I finally received a job offer at my dream company and I’m starting next week.

Soon after receiving that news, I found out my grandma unexpectedly passed away. So, any joy I was feeling about my job was completely eradicated. My grandparents had a huge hand in raising me, so I’m still in a bit of shock about it.

Life is strange and difficult.

2019 Autumn Laoshan Black – Please do not mind me as I sit here and gaze at this pulchritudinous tea. It is somewhat difficult for me to describe the color of these brilliantly twisted leaves. It is dark brown with hints of grays and greens. The aroma is fresh, toasty, and warm. The wet leaf aroma is vegetal. Slightly musty. What a unique flavor. Toasty notes are the forerunners. Followed closely by a chocolate and cream sensation. If steeped too long it takes almost like burnt chocolate. The after taste is a bit mineral and this really shows when it comes to the feeling it leaves on the tongue.

A comfort tea! Straightforward, tasty and hard to go wrong. Predominantly chocolatey, but a particularly strong cup starts feeling a little more like coffee. You can’t make it wrong, works nicely in a gaiwan, grandpa style or a strainer in a mug… I’ve definitely noticed some differences from year to year (or autumn vs spring), so it’s worth testing (and maybe compare to the Laoshan gongfu black) before getting too carried away.