Ashmanra’s sipdown challenge – April 2024 Tea #2 – A tea that comes in a special shape
I think the only “special shape” teas I have at the moment are tuochas. I’m trying the sunflower tuocha in this old sampler again, because the last time,for some reason, regretfully, I used two tuochas for a mug. I don’t know why! Because trying it again, this tuocha is PERFECT. It must be a “golden leaf” because there is a lot of lightness here to the leaf. I also love the massive biscuity scent wafting from the drenched leaves. The flavor even on the first steep is deep and delicious. Wow. Sweet, biscuit, syrup, rich. This is the ripe I love. Again, I bet age is helping this one. The third steep is a little weaker in flavor, but still decent. The fourth steep, I wouldn’t bother with again. I’d rather just go for a long third steep. But this is entirely forgivable as the initial flavor is so good. It’s a quick unraveller! The rating for this sunflower wrapper tuocha would be a 94. If anyone has any old tuochas left from older Mandala sampler sets that they don’t want, let me know, as I would love to gratefully rehome them!
Steep #1 // 1 tuocha for full mug // 22 minutes after boiling // rinse // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // 10 minutes after boiling // 3 min
Steep #3 // just boiled // 3 min
Steep #4 // just boiled // 10+ min
I thought I was going to have to use a mini tuo for the prompt but decided I would count pearls as a special shape. I am all out of blooming teas.