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I have thought I have drank this tea earlier, but there was written 6 grams from derk, and when I weighted it, it was exactly 6 grams from year 2018. So, no previous session. Thank you! And as I saw others making 6 grams per 100 ml approximately, I decided use all the tea in one session as well. So, technically not a sipdown for me, but one tea down anyway.

The leaves doesn’t need any rinse, but I made one mostly to let the humidity absorb to the leaves a bit and it woke up wonderful osmanthus aroma, combined with roasty notes and something reminiscent of dark chocolate. Quite interesting in my opinion, but truly wonderful.

First steep I made, as usual , 10 seconds long. Holy… this is mineral. But then roasty notes tame it down, with kind of creamy aftertaste with again, the osmanthus (and other) flowers? I still have some flowers of osmanthus somewhere buried, and I recall it being similar as this aftertaste. It is as well very smooth and indeed enjoyable cup, and I am already looking forward to next steeps.

Second, I did 5 seconds increment, so 15 seconds. Based on the colour of brew it seems it will be a thick one, smell going off the cup seems thick as well. It is! But the roasty notes started to be stronger, and there is some backbone I couldn’t put my finger on. Kind of refreshing… and floral/vegetal but not in green oolong/green tea style. The thickness of this tea is nice and interesting saying that with the second session. I feel a bit “tea high” — I can’t much express myself what it is like, just I want to write and dream.

As third steep, I have decided to keep same steeping parameters.
This time it is again 50/50 with mineral notes. That backbone is weaker, but still there. It is a bit stronger with osmanthus flavours; again a thick, full-bodied flavour. Not drying at all, though it sometimes seems like.

Another steep with 5 seconds increment. So.. 20 seconds.
It becomes lighter, more floral and maybe hints of fruity notes? It was drystored, in airproof pouch… more experienced personnel needed! It reminds me pears a wee bit. Sometimes they are a bit too mineral, and this tea isn’t that mineral, but that combination with roasty notes. Well… I am just confused about this tea. Why it is that complex? It is same plant as many teas I drank and… still learning how it can be different. Quite sweet as well.

Certainly it slowly goes towards sweet side of flavour spectrum. So, enjoy more vegetal (but still mineral) notes with sweet florals and somehow more easydrinking cups.

6th steep, no signs of this tea going bland. Oh, maybe this one is bland. As I am noticing just very sweet liquor of this tea, maybe I need to push it a bit than 30 seconds steep. The leaves aren’t that fragrant as wel. Maybe it is indeed time to call it done? I have water for one or two more steeps. While the latter => 8th will be with less water. But so good tea! Certainly a cultivar I need more experience with. An exceptional oolong. That’s for sure.

Let’s push it. I won’t count the time, but I will steep it for long. I think… it is around 2-3 minutes. Yep, it is over. Very similar to previous one, with more roasty base. And moreover I spilled it on myself. Ahh! Just a bit; but it always annoys me.