Ooh, I’m first to write a note, but it’s a bit of a Goldilocks tale: the first cup was too weak, the second cup was too strong, but the third cup was just right.

I like Yunnansourcing’s sample packs. They are large enough to give you a chance to experiment a little. There is enough in the sample pack for another two pots this time around. In this case, I have not really needed to experiment that much, because the tea endures enough for me to eventually get it right. The dry leaf smells of tobacco and hay. It seems quite tightly compressed with chopped leaf and the overall look of the chunks is a brownish green with lighter leaves interspersed between the darker ones.

So, on with the tale. I rinsed the tea once and then steeped the first cup for 15 seconds. It was ok but a bit too weak. The liquor was well pale, and the taste was lightly smoky with a hint of tobacco and something floral. The second cup was going to be steeped for 15 seconds but then I got distracted by the kittens, and now have no idea how long it was really steeped for. The liquor was dark amber and had a seriously heavy bite to it. The third cup was again 15 seconds and was the colour of champagne. The tobacco and smoke notes dominated with a pleasing kuwei and a slight mouth-puckering astringency that shaded into sweetness in the aftertaste. The floral notes were still there but muted. As I have gone on with the tea, the floral notes have moved more to the fore and the smokiness has receded. This tea has a lot of energy and has perked me up more than relaxed me. It is robust and lively with little subtlety to it (unless the subtlety is too subtle for my palate!) but there are days when that is what you want. It’s a shame I cannot find it in the Yunnansourcing store now, because I would happily have a beeng to keep and sample every so often. Right, better run now. There’s some bears at the door complaining that someone has drunk their tea …

Flavors: Floral, Hay, Smoke, Tobacco

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 0 min, 15 sec 8 g 4 OZ / 130 ML
TheTeaFairy

Haha! You are full of surprises Dr. Roughage. It would have been hard for me to make any association with your name and Goldielock…

But after reading this note, I totally will from now on :-)
(Maybe the bear element makes it all work)

Roughage

Well, umm, yes, bears are my thing! :)

TheTeaFairy

(Pffft, of course they are…)

MzPriss

I thought berserkers were your thing :)

Roughage

Bear-serkers! :-D

Roughage

Hmm, Goldilocks and the three berserkers? I reckon there is a book in there somewhere …

TheTeaFairy

Hahaha! I always wondered if Goldilocks was as innocent as she pretended… Now I know!!!

TheTeaFairy

And the pun was priceless.

MzPriss

OK Bear-zerkers is HILARIOUS

mrmopar

Why did the Bear-serkers follow Goldilocks around……The 64,000 dollar question!

MzPriss

Well, it just so happens we have a Bear-zerker expert to tell us. <Looks expectantly at Dr. Roughage, Bear-zerker, PhD>

Roughage

I bearly know where to begin with answering your question, mrmopar. I suppose that I should just outline the bear facts …

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TheTeaFairy

Haha! You are full of surprises Dr. Roughage. It would have been hard for me to make any association with your name and Goldielock…

But after reading this note, I totally will from now on :-)
(Maybe the bear element makes it all work)

Roughage

Well, umm, yes, bears are my thing! :)

TheTeaFairy

(Pffft, of course they are…)

MzPriss

I thought berserkers were your thing :)

Roughage

Bear-serkers! :-D

Roughage

Hmm, Goldilocks and the three berserkers? I reckon there is a book in there somewhere …

TheTeaFairy

Hahaha! I always wondered if Goldilocks was as innocent as she pretended… Now I know!!!

TheTeaFairy

And the pun was priceless.

MzPriss

OK Bear-zerkers is HILARIOUS

mrmopar

Why did the Bear-serkers follow Goldilocks around……The 64,000 dollar question!

MzPriss

Well, it just so happens we have a Bear-zerker expert to tell us. <Looks expectantly at Dr. Roughage, Bear-zerker, PhD>

Roughage

I bearly know where to begin with answering your question, mrmopar. I suppose that I should just outline the bear facts …

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Bio

I am a qualified peripatetic berserkerologist peddling berserkjaknowledge at the University of Nottingham.

My favourite teas are Darjeelings, sheng puerhs and Anji Bai Cha. I return to these every time, after whatever flirtation with other teas I have been involved with.

I no longer rate the teas I drink because keeping ratings consistent proved to be rather hard work while not really giving me anything in return.

Location

Nottingham, England

Website

http://ruarighdale.wordpress....

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