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derk drank Blind Samples by Yunnan Craft

1650 tasting notes

Blind sample B

The color of the leaf and aromas/flavors point to this being a wild sheng. The overall vibe is the low, damp and earthy scent of forest mycelium mixed with iodine. Juicy and very tingly, metallic. Bitterness is present and grows on the tongue before giving way to a sweet and fruity-floral aftertaste that rises into the sinuses, turning into a more distinctly rich, brown sugary date. Mildly cooling in throat and chest but not in mouth. Needs longer steeps to bring out its potential.

This one didn’t grab me as much as the first sample but it was fun to taste what I think is an example of wild tea with some age and humidity attached to it, the latter of which I don’t think I’ve experienced before.

Thank you, Yunnan Craft!

Flavors: Apricot, Autumn Leaf Pile, Bitter, Cherry, Cherry Blossom, Dates, Earthy, Floral, Forest Floor, Iodine, Juicy, Lime, Menthol, Metallic, Mushrooms, Musty, Plum, Smoke, Wet Wood

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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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