5 Tasting Notes
Got this tea yesterday in Chinatown, and had some last night. Having it again this morning! I used a top of cup drop down infuser (Is there an official name for this?) steeping for only between 15-20 seconds for each steep. With the device I have, two steeps fills a cup.
I have to say, oh my. I am so excited for this tea. Growing up, I had always loved eating lychee. Now that I know there’s a tea flavored like it, I’ve died and gone to heaven.
The aroma, upon first opening the tin, is very lichee. It’s not too overpowering, to seem artificial, but it’s definitely apparent.
The flavor of the tea is a very sweet, gloriously fruity high profile of lichee, but with a sneaking boldness of a pungent black tea in waiting. I’m glad I only steeped it for 15 seconds, because I could imagine this tea getting much stronger if gone for any longer. So word to the wise, if you steep this for a few minutes, you might get a completely different profile, with more subtle notes of lichee, and more pungent black tea flavors.
All and all, a good tea for the price. I can tell it’s not the best quality, but it certainly works for an everyday enjoyment.
The only caveat I have about this tea is, after the first two steepings, it loses a significant amount of its lichee flavor. On the third and fourth now, and it has subtle notes, but I’ll probably toss it and steep anew.
Preparation
I have to say, when I first set foot inside Lupicia, I was sad. A store like that really makes me worry for tea going the way of coffee. But this isn’t about the store, it’s about the tea.
This lapsang souchong was really enjoyable. When I first discovered this tea at a cafe back home, I immediately fell in love with its highly recognizable aroma. I make this tea on special occasions, for people who I really care about. Partly because it’s really good, partly because it’s pretty expensive.
Upon opening the container, you really get a blast of that smokey scent. I was astounded by how aromatic all Lupicia’s teas were while I was in the store; almost too aromatic, like they were somehow altered. I knew this one would be a good takeaway, because I knew it was supposed to be this strong.
When steeping, I go shorter than a usual steeping, varying from 2-4 minutes. At a shorter time, you really get the essence and stand alone of that smokey scent. It almost feels like drinking a smokey campfire. When kept on a little longer, say 3 or 4 mins, it picks up an earthy flavor as well, a damp woody taste that makes you feel like you’re in the dirt of Fujian. All around, a very enjoyable tea.
Preparation
I just moved to San Francisco, and in the neighborhood I live in, this stuff is everywhere! Everywhere, as in any store with goods from South East Asia. This has been a really refreshing add.
For the price, it’s worth it. I use it as a nice relaxer at the end of the day if I don’t want to have to put too much care into a perfect cup. A little box of this kept me alive when I went home to Ohio for three months, where, “Isn’t that supposed to be in a bag?” would be easy to hear.
Not the highest quality, sure. It’s got a good realistic jasmine aroma. I’ve steeped it a number of different ways, and I enjoy about 2-2.5 or 3 minutes at 175 the best. Don’t listen to the package. I don’t know what they’re talking about. Flowery aroma, slightly earthy taste, smooth if steeped shorter. A satisfying tea.
Saw you on Steepster, too bad you haven’t been using it in a long time. My son lives in San Francisco and my brother (Stephen Johnstone) was with Y-WAM in Cyprus years ago.
Now he’s an ordained Eastern Orthodox Deacon in Silicon Valley, (Not that Far from where you were) at St. Stephen Orthodox Church in Campbell, CA. I have a tea blog www.teaandincense.com taken from the verse (and song) “let my prayer arise in Your sight as incense and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice,”. What I share in my own way is how to be still with tea drinking first. Then I tell stories, often weaving tales from my own life. Blessed Nativity to you!