I think? this was a freebie provided a few orders ago.

Dry leaf in the bag has the strong floral aroma other Old Ways Tea’s hongcha — sunflower and orchid plus a nut butter and eggshell undertone. Once in my hand, I smell the same florals, malted barley, old wooden furniture and a tangy cranberry tone.

Warming the leaf brings, in addition to the florals, nut butter and cranberry, aromas of oatmeal cookie and artichoke. Hm. I don’t like that vegetal note.

The aroma is woody, vegetal and sour like canned artichoke hearts on wooden furniture.

The taste is very, hm, vegetal tangy, rather savory-leather. No sweetness is present for me. A mild alkalinity stays at the back of the back of the mouth and in the throat, where a strange bitterness also arises.

Despite drinking several more steeps, I ended my notes here. Can’t say I’m a fan of this one, even though Roswell Strange and Togo seemed to really enjoy it. I feel like the tea fell from it’s dry leaf aromatic grace once brewed. The strong artichoke vibe , or I can see olive as Togo mentions, was very strange. It’s like a disjointed amalgamation of an aging sheng, a first flush Darjeeling and a Wuyi red tea. Oh well. I’m glad other people are enjoying it!

Flavors: Artichoke, Bitter, Cookie, Cranberry, Floral, Flowers, Leather, Malt, Nuts, Oats, Olives, Orchid, Savory, Tangy, Vegetal, Wood

eastkyteaguy

I didn’t purchase any of the 2020 Old Ways Tea offerings because I had so many of their 2018 and 2019 teas to get through, but had I done so, I probably would have avoided this one. It may just be me, but I have noticed a huge step down in quality from 2016 forward. I loved the 2016 tea and thought the 2017 tea was also very good if a little lacking compared to the previous version. The 2018 tea was still enjoyable for me, but it felt like a noticeable step down from the 2017 tea. I haven’t tried the 2019 version yet, but I have seen mixed reviews from several sources.

derk

I remember being impressed by the 2017 and a little less so with the 2018. In general, though, I feel like the quality of Chinese teas has gone down in the past several years. The decline in quality also coincides with when I started really paying attention to tea characteristics and tastes, though. I think areas of China (and Taiwan) have been experiencing droughts and/or flooding during this time as well. If Old Ways Tea’s offerings that I really enjoy continue declining in quality, I don’t know what I’ll do. I think they’re a great vendor and want to support them since they’re located in my region. For now, I’ll stick it out and hope this is just part of nature’s cycle and not other factors.

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eastkyteaguy

I didn’t purchase any of the 2020 Old Ways Tea offerings because I had so many of their 2018 and 2019 teas to get through, but had I done so, I probably would have avoided this one. It may just be me, but I have noticed a huge step down in quality from 2016 forward. I loved the 2016 tea and thought the 2017 tea was also very good if a little lacking compared to the previous version. The 2018 tea was still enjoyable for me, but it felt like a noticeable step down from the 2017 tea. I haven’t tried the 2019 version yet, but I have seen mixed reviews from several sources.

derk

I remember being impressed by the 2017 and a little less so with the 2018. In general, though, I feel like the quality of Chinese teas has gone down in the past several years. The decline in quality also coincides with when I started really paying attention to tea characteristics and tastes, though. I think areas of China (and Taiwan) have been experiencing droughts and/or flooding during this time as well. If Old Ways Tea’s offerings that I really enjoy continue declining in quality, I don’t know what I’ll do. I think they’re a great vendor and want to support them since they’re located in my region. For now, I’ll stick it out and hope this is just part of nature’s cycle and not other factors.

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Bio

This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. Yet I persist.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, and Nepal. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possesses off flavor/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s puerh, I likely think it needs more age.

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Sonoma County, California, USA

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