I received a generous-sized sample of this in my first order from Verdant. About a month ago, I was able to do my first tasting (gaiwan brewing) and again got to have a cup via gaiwan brewing a couple of days ago. And I still have about 3g left, which I will try the western method.
The description of this tea, as with other teas from Verdant, is very accurate. What is really neat about Verdant’s descriptions of their own teas is that the flavors/aromas they describe are specific, but usually flavors or aromas that aren’t too out-there. Meaning, most people are familiar with those things and could actually imagine how they taste.
So when I’ve tasted their teas, I feel like I’ve been able to identify with their description… which is nice! Either they take good notes and their teas are just that good/distinct!
Anyway, this tea does start off sweet… not like the sweetness from fruit or vegetables, but more sugary-sweet. Rock candy isn’t too far off. It’s not an intense sweetness like gyokuro, but it is quite good. There is a floral aroma too… I would have guessed it’s like orchids, and that too, matches their description.
From steeps 3 and on, and especially later ones, it becomes very juicy, and the initial taste that hits your mouth is very much like lime. I think it is this lime-like flavor, which is just a bit astringent, that makes the tea feel juicy, or mouth-watering.
Somewhere out in steep 5 I felt like I was drinking apple juice. It came out for just one cup and was gone by the next, but it was a delicious surprise.
On the brewing I had a month ago, I distinctly remember somewhere later (maybe steep 7) the cup tasted just like smooth, sweet cream. It only lasted for one cup, but it was really nice!
I think I’ve gone about 10-12 steeps each time..maybe more. It could probably keep going, but for me at least, it had lost interest. I don’t feel compelled to buy more of this tea for myself, but I’m really glad to have tried it.
