74

The tea that I purchased was a little past its prime, but that is a review of the tea shop review not if the tea. In short, do not buy expensive tea at The Chicago Tea and Coffee Exchange, or really any place that you do not already have a good relationship with. Lesson learned.

The wonderful scent of cooked squash on the brewed coniferous looking leaves does not translate well into the cup, instead being replaced by muted floral and vegetal notes. A very slight brine surprises and awakens the pallet followed by a medium-full bodied sweet cup with muted notes of cucumber, fruitiness with slight hints at jasmine and vegetation. The finish is sweet as the initial brine is melted away into a surprisingly creamy finish with medium-dry astringency which lingers for long enough to know that in its prime, this was world class tea. My pallet keeps wanted to taste old cupboard, but I think that’s in my mind and not really there… or is it?

My rating of this tea does not reflect the leaves as much as how they were treated by the people who sold them to me so I gave extra points for still getting enjoyment from the experience, albeit a bit boring, if I ignore what it could have been. I am now on the hunt for the same tea, well kept.

Preparation
175 °F / 79 °C 4 min, 30 sec 7 g 16 OZ / 473 ML

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Bio

A Food and Beverage professional for over 15 years in Chicago Illinois and professional musician. Studying tea, along with wine, beer, spirits and food has been a lifetime passion.
Aside from my service profession I am a private music teacher and music director for multiple music ensembles including The Chicago Zither Orchestra.
Pastimes include composing instrumental music, collecting and listening to historical and rare classical music recordings, gourmet cooking and enjoying the sport of baseball.

Tea: I am really into a wide variety of teas. I tend to avoid flavored teas but will try herbal teas. If I had to list favorites I am a fan of Japanese shaded green teas, Darjeeling 1st flushes, Assam 2nd flushes, Pu-erh (sheng and shou), Oolongs and delicate refined whites. I really do not have a favorite tea, just as I do not have a favorite food, wine, artist or composer… as there are just far too many enjoyable variables and differences that can be “my favorite” depending on the context.

Feel free to private message me about whatever.

Location

Chicago, Illinois

Website

http://heldenteanor7718.teatr...

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