derk Send Message

199 Followers / 151 Following

derk drank Lin Yun White Downey by Teehaus Shila

1602 tasting notes

I see this is listed as both a white tea and oolong tea (in German) on Teehaus Shila’s website, but if I were to taste this blind, I’d guess it’s a Yunnan green. Looking at other websites, this type of tea originates in Guangxi.

Why is it like a Yunnan tea, more specifically young sheng puerh? Large leaf (at least the ones that aren’t broken) and a honeylike sweet, rich aroma and taste. It’s also grassy and mineral like young sheng can be and possesses a very muted wet smoke tone. And the apricot fruitiness. It lacks astringency but not bitterness; Martin says bitter cucumber — yup. Round taste, in a way. It is temperamental and seems to do best with water 175F and below. Surprisingly good in a bowl.

I do think this would make a very good cold brew, so I’ll use the last few grams for that.

Thanks for sharing, Martin!

Flavors: Apricot, Bitter, Cucumber, Fruity, Grassy, Heavy, Honey, Mineral, Rich, Round, Saline, Smoke, Sweet, Wet Rocks

Preparation

3 g 10 OZ / 300 ML

I Like This

11 likes

2 comments

Martin Bednář
Delete

Soo, it seems I have been using too hot water.
I still have some left, so I will definitely try your steeping methods.

derk
Delete

Good luck :) The apricot note intensifies when the tea has cooled to ambient temperature.

People who liked this

Comments

Martin Bednář
Delete

Soo, it seems I have been using too hot water.
I still have some left, so I will definitely try your steeping methods.

derk
Delete

Good luck :) The apricot note intensifies when the tea has cooled to ambient temperature.

Profile

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.

bicycle bicycle bicycle