Thank you Liquid Proust for this sample!
Tasting #1 – Steep Time 2 Minutes
Has the aroma of a black tea, very light but smooth flavor. My mouth feels soft just drinking this tea.
Tasting #2 – Steep Time 4 Minutes
Now more earthy flavors are coming out, like cedar bark. My mouth still feels soft even though these flavors tend to be hard. Its an interesting balance that I’m enjoying.
Tasting #3 – Steep Time 7 Minutes
It smells very much like the kuki hojicha now. How do I describe such a smooth bite? Its very distinct and pleasurable to drink.
Tasting #4 – Steep Time 10 Minutes
Almost a metallic aroma now. Very hard flavors, like steam rising from rocks. Absolutely delicious.
I love this tea. I love how complex these flavors are and how they change. I love how these hard flavors give me the mouth feel of something lighter and creamier, like a milk oolong. I love that the longer it steeps the more of a bite I get but it goes down smooth. This is in no way a simple sharp tasting tea, this is carefully roasted so that the natural flavors of this tea can still come through without making you reach for a glass of water. I tend to prefer greener oolongs because I find the roasting process makes it difficult for me to continuously drink the darker oolongs unless I drink them cold. I’m not only amazed but very happy to drink this tea hot as I’m going on 20 minutes of continuous tasting now.
Flavors: Cedar, Earth, Metallic, Roasted, Wet Rocks
