The first thing I noticed about this sample, was the aroma from the inside of the gaiwan lid after brewing. Pretty strong, with a bit of a citrus tang. Maybe a bit of smoke.
This is the 2017 harvest of this tea, of which there was no listing, but Elephantasy said posting it here was fine.
Three grams in a 50ml gaiwan, 190F water. Did a quick rinse, and then the first steep at ten seconds. Citrus, with a bit of astringency on the top of the tongue; something almost sweet. Pretty light, but leaves a lingering smokey aftertaste.
Second steep at ten seconds is much stronger. Slightly bitter, trails off into something more pleasant, but leaves a drying feeling on the tongue. Third steep at fifteen seconds mostly reinforces a vague fruit sensation that leans more towards citrus. The aftertaste is still residually sweet but smokey, at the back of the tongue when you breathe out.
By the fourth steep, the fruityness has sort of disappeared and the soupy, smoky sensation’s taken over. Vegetal and brothy, with a lingering drying feeling. The liquor still smells a bit fruity though, but it doesn’t carry over.
Fifth steep , still at fifteen seconds, is pretty similar. I doubt I’m at a point where I can pick out the uniqueness of each steep. Sixth steep, I realize the fruityness reminds me a bit of apples, similar to another very recent, un-aged sheng from Cultivate.
Accidentally oversteeped my next steep while eating a snack; a minute or two, whoops. Bit bitter, but not overly so. Helps that it cooled down in the gaiwan. Vegetable broth with something like stone fruit.
Flavors: Apple, Citrus, Smoke, Vegetable Broth
