55

Okay, I’m ready to rate it. Given how much I paid for it and its terroir, this tea’s too weak. I like lighter blacks, but this one doesn’t have a lot going on and I feel like it lost flavor. It’s got more character in the dry leaf aroma before I brew it, and the leaves are gorgeous. Then when I go with shorter steeps, more leaf, I get a darker Bai Hao adjacent. When I use less leaves and brew it longer, I get a vaguely fruity black tea that’s flat.

I might change the rating when I figure it out. I’m disappointed anyway.

Flavors: Drying, Papaya, Tea, Wood

Leafhopper

I feel like vendors should provide steeping instructions if their teas are hard to brew. I hope you’re able to find parameters that work.

Daylon R Thomas

Harney is usually good about it suggesting basics around western and gong fu. It’s a forgiving tea, but I have really be careful to get anything substantial out of it. Too bad the leaves are so beautiful and nice smelling.

Leafhopper

It’s always disappointing when a beautiful tea doesn’t steep as expected.

Fremry

I’m relatively new to good tea, so I doubted myself when brewing this tea. However, my feeling on this tea is exactly as you describe. Too weak, has some flavors that could be interesting, but they are just too watered down to really keep my attention. I increased the amount of tea leaves, decreased the water and let it steep longer, and it still just never really got there for me. Glad I tried it, but it’s disappointing, especially for the price.

ashmanra

It is probably too late now, but I think Harney takes returns for a certain length of time if you don’t care for a tea.

Daylon R Thomas

Yeah, it’s been over a year. Good to know anyway!

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Leafhopper

I feel like vendors should provide steeping instructions if their teas are hard to brew. I hope you’re able to find parameters that work.

Daylon R Thomas

Harney is usually good about it suggesting basics around western and gong fu. It’s a forgiving tea, but I have really be careful to get anything substantial out of it. Too bad the leaves are so beautiful and nice smelling.

Leafhopper

It’s always disappointing when a beautiful tea doesn’t steep as expected.

Fremry

I’m relatively new to good tea, so I doubted myself when brewing this tea. However, my feeling on this tea is exactly as you describe. Too weak, has some flavors that could be interesting, but they are just too watered down to really keep my attention. I increased the amount of tea leaves, decreased the water and let it steep longer, and it still just never really got there for me. Glad I tried it, but it’s disappointing, especially for the price.

ashmanra

It is probably too late now, but I think Harney takes returns for a certain length of time if you don’t care for a tea.

Daylon R Thomas

Yeah, it’s been over a year. Good to know anyway!

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First Off, Current Targets:

Whispering Pines Alice
Good Luxurious Work Teas
Wang Family’s Jasmine Shanlinxi
Spring, Winter Taiwan High Mountain Oolongs

Dislikes: Heavy Tannin, Astringency, Bitterness, or Fake Flavor, Overly herby herbal or aged teas

Picky with: Higher Oxidation Oolongs, Red Oolongs (Some I love, others give me headaches or are almost too sweet), Mint Teas

Currently, my stash is overflowing. Among my favorites are What-Cha’s Lishan Black, Amber Gaba Oolong, Lishan Oolong, Qilan Oolong, White Rhino, Kenya Silver Needle, Tong Mu Lapsang Black (Unsmoked); Whispering Pines Alice, Taiwanese Assam, Wang’s Shanlinxi, Cuifeng, Dayuling, Jasmine Shan Lin Xi; Beautiful Taiwan Tea Co.“Old Style” Dong Ding, Mandala Milk Oolong; Paru’s Milk Oolong

Me:

I am an MSU graduate, and current alternative ed. high school social studies and history teacher. I formerly minored in anthropology, and I love Egyptian and classical history. I love to read, write, draw, paint, sculpt, fence(with a sword), practice calisthenics on rings, lift weights, workout, relax, and drink a cuppa tea…or twenty.

I’ve been drinking green and black teas ever since I was little living in Hawaii. Eastern Asian influence was prominent with my friends and where I grew up, so I’ve been exposed to some tea culture at a young age. I’ve come a long way since I began on steepster and now drink most teas gong fu, especially oolong. Any tea that is naturally creamy, fruity, or sweet without a lot of added flavoring ranks as a must have for me. I also love black teas and dark oolongs with the elusive “cocoa” note. My favorites are lighter Earl Greys, some white teas like What-Cha’s Kenyan offerings, most Hong-Cha’s, darker Darjeelings, almost anything from Nepal, Green Shan Lin Xi’s, and Greener Dong Dings. I’m in the process of trying Alishan’s. I also tend to really enjoy Yunnan Black or Red teas and white teas. I’m pickier with other teas like chamomile, green teas, and Masalas among several.

I used to give ratings, but now I only rate teas that have a strong impression on me. If I really like it, I’ll write it down.

I’ll enjoy a tea almost no matter what, even if the purpose is more medicinal, for it is my truest vice and addiction.

Location

Michigan, USA

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