865 Tasting Notes
My 1st pouchong! While I’ve wanted to try this I wasn’t intenting to get it yet, but I really wanted to try the superior jasmine pearls (a once in a life time chance most likely), so I decided to order this as I’ve heard so many good things about the coconut pouchong. I got this instead because I personally don’t like coconut.
The raw leaves are very green in color so I decided to drop the steeping time down to 3 min from the suggested 5 as I prefer some greens (the general “Here. It’s a green, steep it at 3 min” type green) and some oolongs at 3 min. I’ll do it at 5 next time and compare.
The liquor is an extremely light green w/ just a tinge of yellow and the aroma is just as light. This is one of those teas that you almost have to inhale to smell. The flavor, although very light, is sweet and clean. Another tea to add to my “gotta have!” list and I think I may reserve a Yixing for it!:)
Preparation
mmm pouchong! tis my fav!
2nd infusion 4 min. This warmed me up after my shower. Liquor and aroma are both stronger versions of the 1st infusion. Ooooh! This is so good. Tastes like an infusion of half green and half oolong. A green type tea w/ all the complexities you’d expect from an oolong.
I’ve planned to try Pearls for years but balked at the prices. After reading your review, I think I’ll go find some. Thanks for the tip!
i’m really glad you liked it. I always brew this with my yixing tea pot, and it really makes the leave extend to their full potency.
JGWamsat, what do you mean “try Pearls”?
Ahh, cofftea was talking about Adagio’s Superior Jasmine Pearls which are limited edition (offered during a 2 hour twitter promotion) and won’t be released until the summer.
one of the best oolongs out there!
Thanks Ricky, I was really confused why JGWamsat was talking about a pearl tea when this tasting note is about a pouchong.
Another!!! Sample from Harney & Sons! I have no clue how much was given to me, but when I dumped it in my matcha bowl it didn’t like a whole lot so I made it thick- 3oz water.
Oh wow! Hunter green! So dark and lush. I’m surprised this isn’t thick grade. The taste is thick which surprises me even more- not the mouth feel like that of 52teas Mandarin Matcha, but the taste. Strong, vegetal, bitter, astringent, and sweet. I think this is my favorite unflavored matcha so far!
Preparation
I just remembered I forgot to log this from Sunday! I had this at Bible Study before church. I’m not a black tea person, but I was disappointed w/ the strawberry green I’d had last time and I love apple so I went for it. JUST like taking a bite of an apple! If you like black teas and you like apple, this is actually a very good bagged tea. I’m impressed.
Preparation
This was one of the sales last month and I needed more matcha so I decided to place another Den’s order. My 1st Bancha! Steeped as suggested, except I lowered the temp just a bit so I didn’t kill the health benefits.
Does anyone else think astringency has an aroma? The raw leaves smell quite a bit like Kukicha so I’m wondering if that’s from the astringency.
The liquor is a pretty yellow color and the aroma is that of the raw leaf, but quite a bit lighter. I can definitely see the similarities between this and Kukicha although this is quite a bit lighter and sweeter. Given the choice between this and Kukicha, I think I’d go w/ this.
Preparation
2nd infusion, 15sec as suggested. I still can’t get over shorter steeping times for 2nd infusions. Inspite of this, the aroma, liquor, and flavor are all a bit stronger. Wonderful, a bit brothy.
3rd infusion, 20 sec. Water wasn’t hot enough so it’s very light and sweet like a raw pu erh- yum!
Lapsang Souchong cheese chicken wrap. Diced cooked chicken, cheese, w/just a drizzle of taco sauce. Simple and perfect. Served w/ http://steepster.com/teas/man-teas/9834-smoky-bacon?post=28835
Another tea from Harney & Sons (the store). Had it w/ chicken wrap using their Lapsang souchong cheese). Same base tea, 2 different flavors.
When I smell the raw leaves, I can tell this isn’t your ordinary lapsang souchong. Instead of smelling like you’re standing over a camp fire, it smells like you’re in a smoke house.
The liquor is a medium dark brown with reddish tones. It doesn’t really smell like bacon, more like beef jerky.
You’ve heard of Liquid Smoke? Well this is Liquid Beef Jerky. Seriously. Like you’re drinking it thru a straw. They nailed the beef jerky, I think a name change is in order.
This isn’t personally my cup of tea, but I had to give it a 100 because of accuracy. Even though it’s more beef jerky rather than bacony, it’s definitely meaty. Maybe a little salt would bring out the bacon specific flavor more?
Preparation
a 100? wow.
Yeah, they nailed it.
2nd infusion, 6 min. Nearly identical to infusion 1, just a bit weaker.
oooo bacon, YUM
3rd infusion, 7 min. The liquor is now a camel color w/ orange tints and the flavor is slightly lighter than the 2nd.
4th infusion, 8 min. The liquor is liess orange now and the flavor is much less smokey.
4th infusion, 6 min w/ a lapsang souchong grilled cheese w/ ham. The 2 work very well together. I love how the brothy mouth feel plays w/ the saltiness of the cheese.
5th infusion, 7 min. The liquor is lighter this time and the flavor is less brothy and more sweet.
I always love the “gorgeous yellow” of Taiwan oolong! :D
6th infusuon, 8 min. No change in liquor, the flavor is more sweet.
7th infusion, 9 min. Liquor is lighter, but the flavor is not- just sweeter.
8th infusion, 10 min. Lighter liquor and very sweet flavor- like a raw pu erh:)
9th infusion, 11 min. Same as the 10th infusion…
haha oops, same as the 8th.
10th infusion, 12 min. The liquor is that of the 9th and so is the flavor… at 1st sip… at 1st it seems like a light, but sweet and clean tea, but then the flavor almost seems to separate from the water like matcha would and I (think) I can actually taste just plain water behind the flavor. Weird…