Japanese Yamanami Black

I’ve had this black tea sitting around in its sealed mylar bag for some 6 years now and am finally posting some notes here after finding it this morning. Coincidentally, I see that Steepster user @Mastress Alita posted a review of it only 3 days ago! MA’s material might be fresher than mine, but it’s no longer for sale on Tealyra’s site anyhow.

I steeped Western style, as directed, and found much the same as reported by MA, though with a weak intensity and substantial astringency. Interestingly, midway through the tea, I got hit with a few flashes of blackberry fruit flavor! Overall the tea was drinkable, with some interesting flavor and little if any extended aftertaste. I’d only rate it a 60 though I won’t post that score here (nor “recommend”) since I suspect mine has simply suffered with age. I may try overleafing it and dropping the water temperature before giving up.

FOLLOWUP: I doubled the leaf to 5g and used 8oz water at 190°F for 30sec. The result was much more intense in flavor and aroma, but no more enjoyable to my palate. A re-steep also for 30s was less bright. This tea just isn’t for me— off to the compost heap with it! (I guess I can’t call it a sipdown ha!)

I picked up this Japanese black from Tealyra at the same time I grabbed their Benifuki black. This tea also has that sweet, fruity quality I get from Japanese blacks that I really enjoy. The body is more on the medium side for a black, tasting of warm cinnamon bread and autumn leaves, with a subtle stonefruit note that leans a little citrusy in the aftertaste. It’s very tasty, but I do think I enjoy the Benifuki variety better of the two, as it had a little more oomph in its flavor notes. I’ll probably try experimenting more with my leaf ratio and steep times to see if I can push this tea a bit more.