Fifth of 7 teas from SiamTeas Clubbox January ’23 – Tuyet Shan
Western steeping of 4 grams of this unusual terroir sheng. 4 minutes steeping, boiling water that cooled down for a few minutes, approx. temperature 90°C.
Dry leaf aroma was “typical” sheng profile, hay and strong bitterness, a little reminding me the pressed white teas, nothing much appealing.
Steeped tea aroma was fruity. I noticed mostly stonefruit, but sadly I wasn’t able to notice much more. I feel I am out of track in noticing flavors and scents. Maybe I need to drink more tea again and start searching the nuances again.
But flavour profile is distinctive enough! I have noticed certainly the stonefruits I mentioned in the aroma; and mostly it was smooth and highly enjoyable dried apricots and fresh peaches. There was also a little herbal note, reminding me a lemon balm or something like that… a little rough, but it wasn’t medicinal, you know. Long mouthfeel and aftertaste, mouth coating smooth quality.
If anyone told me that Vietnamese sheng could be so good, I would not believe them. But apparently, sheng and red oolong is something I will get in bigger quantity than this sample 10 grams… 25 or 50 grams will be sufficient.
What a nice surprise!