3 Tasting Notes
This Sister Shou has an unmistakably bold presence—a tea with a strong character that makes an impression from the first pour. She enters with qualities that immediately intrigue: a touch of sharpness, slight bitterness, woody undertones, and a deep molasses sweetness that enriches the experience. There’s a satisfying quench—a richness that leaves you wanting more. Cocoa nibs, hints of coffee, and an assertive huigan—that lingering aftertaste that spreads warmth and flavour through the senses—make this a tea meant to be savoured in small sips.
First Steep:
On first impression, she feels like an old soul—steady yet striking. The flavours are layered: earthy, slightly bitter but not unpleasant, with a sweetness that’s dark, like burnt sugar or toasted molasses. The mouthfeel is full and rich, a sip that envelops you and invites introspection. This tea has a moorish quality—it’s difficult not to go back for more. Each sip feels deliberate, as though the tea itself asks you to slow down and savour.
Second Steep:
With the second infusion, the leaves begin to tell a deeper story. There’s an intensification of those pre-dawn aromas—woodsmoke, rich earth, and baked goods fresh from the oven. The warmth is still there, but there’s also a sharpness that cuts through—decisive but not jarring. It’s the kind of sharpness that feels like a declarative statement: she knows who she is and makes no apologies.
Taking small sips allows the flavours to unfold slowly, coating the palate and leaving a richness that lingers long after the cup is empty. This steeping is like a steady, resounding chord that fills the space—subtle yet profound, a presence you feel long after it’s passed.
Third Steep:
For the third steeping, the brewing temperature was lowered to 90°C, giving this sister room to breathe. This slight adjustment opened her up, allowing some of the higher, brighter notes to shine through. The lower temperature smoothed the sharper edges, giving more space for the complexities to reveal themselves.
Here, the tea takes on a more melodic quality, like a jazz ensemble where the saxophone cuts through the deep hum of the bass and the steady rhythm of the drums. There’s a brightness that feels refreshing amidst the deeper, earthy tones. The flavours harmonise in a way that feels like an invitation to stay longer, to keep listening, and to let the tea’s story unfold.
The musical comparison feels apt—if this steeping had a soundtrack, it would be a track from Morphine’s Cure for Pain. The way the bass, drums, and saxophone weave together mirrors the tea’s layers: rich, warm, resonant, with sharp, bright accents that cut through the depth.
Fourth Steep:
By the fourth steeping, the tea settles into a velvety smoothness—a notable evolution in texture. The once punchy sharpness now softens into a lingering, resonant echo. This sister has become contemplative, and her strength shows in the way she stays present in the aftertaste. The roasted astringency still lingers, but in a way that feels more like the pleasant bitterness of dark chocolate or charred sourdough toast with just a touch of burn at the edges.
It’s here that the tea evokes the memory of Mayleaf’s Playground Rendezvous, a kombucha-fermented shu with a punchy, Jäger-like complexity. But where Playground Rendezvous feels restless and wild, Predawn Dark finds its balance. The settle is in the aftertaste—bold, satisfying, and resonant. It’s as though you’ve struck a gong with a sharp, clear tone, and the echo carries far beyond the initial strike.
Final Impressions:
Predawn Dark is a tea for slow, intentional drinking—a tea to spend the whole day with. It demands patience and attention, rewarding you with evolving flavours and textures that feel like a conversation unfolding over time. Each steeping offers something new to discover: the sharpness of burnt sugar, the richness of molasses and coffee, the warmth of baked goods, and the brightness of spice—cinnamon, clove, nutmeg.
This is a sister who punches above her weight. She’s bold, decisive, and full of character. Whether paired with atmospheric music or enjoyed in reflective silence, Predawn Dark is the kind of tea that stays with you long after the cup is empty—a companion for deep contemplation and quiet joy.
