1040 Tasting Notes
I’m not sure this is the correct tea to be logging on, but I’m too lazy to add a new one. This is what I am drinking:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2012-yunnan-dian-hong-tea-gold-screw-black-tea-125-70-pehcans/868995273.html
It is FABULOUS – it’s as good as any of the big brand name bilouchun and it’s really inexpensive. It you like any of the golden snail teas out there but not the price, I suggest you take a look at this one. It is just SO GOOD!!!!!
This is the third tea from my order. I was drinking it hot last night and then put some in the fridge to cold steep, which is what I’m drinking now…..
Hot – I really really really didn’t like this. Tangerine – nope, Mango – nope, Raspberry – nope, coconut – ok I got that – way too much of it. This was just a little bitter, a little acidic, something weird that I’m just calling sharp, a little citrus and a whole lot of coconut. Not to my taste at all. I didn’t finish the cup…
Cold – better, but not much. There is still not at all what I thought it would be. Orange coconut – that’s what I’m mostly getting. There is still some of that weird sharp taste.
Sorry – nope, this is a total miss for me. :((
Second tea from my order…….
I was really excited when I saw the listing for this one. I’m not the biggest maple fan (I know it’s almost against the law here in Canada) and most pancake teas are maple something. This is Banana Nut Vanilla Butter Pancake. That makes me happy.
I like this – I really like this, but as others have commented I think it needs more banana. The banana flavor is really nice and should shine more.
There has been some conversation about the base in this one. I actually like it. I think there is just a hint of astringency and that helps cut the sweetness, it helps with the balance. I also like the mouth feel. Bold and thick aren’t the right words, but this isn’t thin and weak – it’s just right. Something about the mouth feel helps with the buttery aspect of this.
I’m rambling – Nutty, buttery, hint of vanilla, some banana, nice base. Really good – could be amazing with more banana.
Just a note – this is a really heavy tea, there isn’t much in the 1oz bag. That’s not a criticism – I’m just saying that there are lots of nut chunks in here making it heavy. If you want lots to play with order 2oz. :)
Yep – This needs more banana. The second steep is sooooooo smooth and comforting but ZERO banana. Ahhhhh if there was just a little more banana…
I think I mentioned it on another post, but I’m definitely working on a more banana powered version after all the feedback! :)
IMHO I wouldn’t take it too far. Over the top banana wouldn’t be that appealing, but I would be happier with a touch more. :)) That said – the second steep of this could be my favorite vanilla tea. I almost couldn’t believe how warm and fuzzy it was. That hint of vanilla with the nuts – you just want to hug your cup. :))
On behalf of the RCMP (Royal Canadian Maple Police), this is your one and only warning to stop breaking the Canadian Maple laws!!!!
@Dexter I’m personally not a huge banana fan, so I couldn’t in good conscious crank it up too far! I’m a strong beliver in tea being a gigantic hug in a cup, so glad to hear that it gets hugs back! :)
There would be a lot of us who don’t believe there is ever enough banana flavor in tea, so do feel free to go hog wild with banana flavouring one day if you’d like!
I agree @keychange if it’s a banana black or banana green tea – but in this application I think too much banana would spoil/conceal all the other fun things going on. :)
@Lala – I bought Maple Walnut Ice Cream today – will that be enough to satisfy the RCMP ?
I guess we can put up on maple probation…for now :P
My order arrived today!!!! YAY!!!! I placed that order because of the reviews of this tea.
I’m just going to agree with the others. ABSOLUTELY FRICKEN’ FANTASTIC
3tsp/16oz 95C 4.5 minutes That’s what I did.
Dark chocolate, coffee, cherry – that’s what I’m getting – in that order. Lots of slightly bitter dark chocolate, some coffee, and then a really nice hint of cherry at the back. And it’s CHERRY not cough syrup. I’m not getting much oolong, but there is some roasty toasty goodness in here – that could be the oolong or it could be the hojicha. Doesn’t matter, it’s well balance and so yummy. I’m a very, very happy camper.
(Having to stop myself from rushing back to the site to order more – need to try the others I got first – there may be others that I will need more of….)
Interesting this is the second sheng I’ve had this week that I really like. Either my tastes are changing OR I’ve finally learned how to steep sheng for my tastes OR I’ve just gotten lucky and chosen a couple of good ones.
This is really nice. It’s a little astringent but not really bitter. It’s nice and light but has some really nice earthy notes. I am finding some stone fruit and a little hay. Not really green, not really grassy. Nice balanced young sheng. And the color is amazing…..
https://instagram.com/p/89YHEiuE4c/?taken-by=dex3657
https://instagram.com/p/89YbE9OE46/?taken-by=dex3657
The leaves of this tea are just beautiful – really golden and fuzzy. It’s just ok for my tastes. Really sweet potatoe – pretty starchy. Those aren’t my favorite notes in Yunnan blacks.
Nce but not a necessary rebuy.
Couldn’t find it in the data base…
2011 Organic Premium Yunnan Aged Tree Pu’erh Streetshop88
Fricken Fantastic!!!!
https://instagram.com/p/8zHsOwuEzJ/?taken-by=dex3657
https://instagram.com/p/8zHzwHOEzX/?taken-by=dex3657
I received a sample of this with my last Verdant order. Thank you.
I don’t drink a lot of sheng. I’m trying hard to like it, but most young sheng is too bitter for me. The older ones seem too musty. I have a ton that I haven’t tried and keep avoiding them. Tonight I pulled this one out. Really happy that I did.
This is awesome – almost perfect for my tastes. It’s really mellow and smooth – zero bitterness. It’s just a hint earthy, a touch of grass/hay, and a little something that I’m relating to white wine. I really really like this one.
https://instagram.com/p/8wuHYIOE-/?taken-by=dex3657
https://instagram.com/p/8wuNLwOEG/?taken-by=dex3657
oh good to know. often i find myself in the same boat as you with sheng.
is this the sample marked “sheng brick”? Cause I got one, but I don’t know what it is specifically.
My package was marked “spring brick” – I didn’t know what it was either but Verdant commented on my IG photo saying it was this one….
I’d imagine it’s the same then. I ordered from verdant two days after you ;)
It’s not a secret – I hate fall. It’s just the saddest season and it means winter is coming.
One of the only things that I really love is Pumpkin Amaretto Cheesecake from a local cafe.
So tonight I went and got a slice and snuggled in with it and some good shou.
This tea is almost perfect for me. It’s dark and bold, but not over powering. It’s fruity and sweet, but still has some aged woodiness. This tastes old without being musty and nasty. Once quick rinse and it’s just amazing.
All is right in my world…..
https://instagram.com/p/8Wwfd_uExy/?taken-by=dex3657
https://instagram.com/p/8W0_6oOE5Z/?taken-by=dex3657
I should find this one and try it. :)
Your tasting note said that there was a mustiness to it that you weren’t digging… woody and musty. LOL to each their own. I think it’s smooth, sweet and awesome. Drink something that you enjoy.:))
It might have just needed to air out. :)
I should find this cheesecake and try it.
That tea looks beautiful. The list is as tea bags but show loose tea though. I am assuming it’s loose tea. I’ve bought from Han Xian Ecological Tea a couple of times now and have been happy with the tea. I’ll have to try this one next time but right now have lots of sipping down to do.
It was loose – it came in a 125g package. I’ve had some of their teas before and enjoyed them. I was expecting good but this one is GREAT. Their site is confusing and I think some things get lost in the translation, but it’s so inexpensive that even if you get something you weren’t expecting – it didn’t cost you a lot. I find they are quick and friendly in responding to questions, but again there is a language issue. Not complaining – their English is better than my Chinese, but I don’t always understand the answers. :)
https://www.instagram.com/p/-C_tjeuE4u/?taken-by=dex3657
https://www.instagram.com/p/-AUjx8uEwC/?taken-by=dex3657
Yes I’ve bought this one a few times and it’s been consistently great. Glad it still is:-)
Sometimes you have to rephrase questions to get clear answers but the seller is always willing to communicate and I have had conversations with him online about Teas and regions that have been really informative.