95 Tasting Notes
The dry leaves smell wonderful, and the infused ones show the skill of the plucker. The brewed liquor is very nice indeed — sweet, floral, creamy — though not as long-lasting as I would expect from a tea of this price.
First infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz water, 90 deg., 3:00 min.
Second infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz. water, 90 deg., 5:00 min.
Third infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz. water, 90 deg., 10:00+ min.
Preparation
A lovely gyo karigane, with a generous mix of leaves to stems (2/3 to 1/3). Sweetly succulent in both infusions, with an endearingly-subtle tartness. The pitch for this is correct: it is an excellent value.
First infusion – 3 g. per 8 oz water, 60 deg., 3 min.
Second infusion – 53g. per 8 oz. water, 70 deg., 10+ min.
Preparation
This is the type of tea that makes me re-think my dislike of roasted oolongs. Pleasantly roasty-toasty throughout all infusions, but never bitter or over-powering. There is a underlying sweetness as well, along with hints of spice and a surprising peach finish.
First infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz water, 90 deg., 2:30 min.
Second infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz. water, 90 deg., 3:00 min.
Third infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz. water, 90 deg., 6:00 min.
Fourth infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz. water, 90 deg., 10:00+ min.
Preparation
Flavours of honey and flowers pervade all infusions, with the former more prominent initially and the latter to the fore subsequently. The final infusion (regardless of the length) produces an infusion of sweetness with no floral overtones.
First infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz water, 90 deg., 2:30 min.
Second infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz. water, 90 deg., 5:00 min.
Third infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz. water, 90 deg., 7:00 min.
Preparation
When brewed at a mild temperature (65 deg.), this tea is extremely light and sweet, with a slight berry-like tang to it. It needs hotter water to get the most from it. A quirky tea, for sure.
First infusion – 5 g. per 8 oz water, 70 deg., 1:00 min.
Second infusion – 5 g. per 8 oz. water, 70 deg., 2:30 min.
Third infusion – 5 g. per 5 oz. water, 70 deg., 10+ min.
Preparation
This is a lightly-roasted oolong whose roasting (surprisingly) does not overwhelm other elements: the tongue can easily discern sweetness, and the nose the scent of flowers.
First infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz water, 90 deg., 2:00 min.
Second infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz. water, 90 deg., 4:00 min.
Third infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz. water, 90 deg., 7:00 min.
Fourth infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz. water, 90 deg., 10:00+ min.
Preparation
The flavour of this tea is more subdued than other senchas from Mellow Monk. So I had to push the steeping times to get the same “punch” from this as I did from others the vendor sells.
First infusion – 5 g. per 8 oz water, 60 deg., 1:15 min.
Second infusion – 5 g. per 8 oz. water, 65 deg., 2:30 min.
Third infusion – 5 g. per 5 oz. water, 70 deg., 10+ min.
Preparation
A pleasant, typical, no-nonsense jin xuan oolong – floral, creamy, and sweet. The dry leaves promise a creamier tea than the liquor delivers. But an enjoyable tea nevertheless at a nice price.
First infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz water, 90 deg., 2:30 min.
Second infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz. water, 90 deg., 5:00 min.
Third infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz. water, 90 deg., 10+ min.
Preparation
This is a lovely green – the smell of the dry leaves alone is wonderful! The liquor initially tastes of fresh-cut garden vegetables, working to a more honeyed taste in the last infusion. Bright, crisp, clean & clear.
First infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz water, 75 deg., 1:30 min.
Second infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz. water, 80 deg., 5:00 min.
Third infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz. water, 85 deg., 10+ min.
Preparation
A pleasant, typical, no-nonsense Tie Guan Yin. It has the usual floral aroma, but is a bit sweeter (honeyed) than others I have tried. An enjoyable tea at a nice price.
First infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz water, 90 deg., 2:30 min.
Second infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz. water, 90 deg., 4:00 min.
Third infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz. water, 90 deg., 10+ min.
