For this one, I used a gaiwan and I admit I tried something a bit weird on this one, 80C 4g/100mL for 3min on the initial steep (then thrown) and then constant 10s steeps.
This, retroactively not so smart idea, caused the following results:
- 2nd steep: plenty of jasmin upfront, strong clove-like taste too and some floral notes. Unfortunately, it is ruined by the incredibly bitter aftertaste…
- 3rd, 4th and subsequent steeps: A lot more floral, the jasmin is now dominating completely, letting no room for any other aroma.
Obviously the first steep is the cause of such strong bitterness in the 2nd steep, and I expect actual proper gongfu style brewing to allow for better results, taking that into account (and the fact this was a sample) I cannot wait to try it again and maybe edit this comment !
Overall though, I definitely appreciate this blend, the second steep had, appart from the bitterness, a lot of complexity and that’s not something you can say about most teas. Very pleasant.
- Flavor Complexity: 18/30 – Rich in jasmine and clove notes but overly dominated by jasmine in later steeps.
- Brewing Forgiveness: 10/20 – Requires careful brewing to avoid bitterness.
- Consistency Across Infusions: 12/20 – Maintains a strong flavor profile, but bitterness impacts enjoyment.
- Overall Enjoyment: 15/30 – Enjoyable despite the challenges in brewing, but not exceptional.
Flavors: Clove, Floral, Jasmine
