86

A while back, I ordered a box of samples from Canton. There were, I think, four sample packets inside, though I am only finding 3. I think I moved the other one to another location. I’m pretty sure I haven’t tried any of them yet.

This was, as is par for the course with most of my cupboard, a while ago — and now when I look at the Canton web site, it appears they have become wholesale only. Maybe they always were, but I don’t think they would have had these sample packets if they were. Unless… were the samples a Steepster promotional offer? Does anyone remember back that far?

In any case, to make up for yesterday when I basically did no notes because I was running around for most of the day, I thought I’d crack open one of these.

Maybe it’s that I’m possibly coming down with something (woke up this morning with a bit of a sore throat), but in the sample packet, this smells an awful lot like the dragonwell I just had. Same nutty, hay-grass smell — a pretty intense smell, actually.

The similarities continue with the steeping. Pale golden yellow liquor of the same intensity as that of the dragonwell, which is to say not very intense. A sort of asparagus hint, but more mellow and less roasty than that of the dragonwell, in the aroma. Smooth, sweet, slightly nutty flavor. I do get a tiny bit of asparagus, but it’s more snow peas that I smell and taste in this one. Not as vegetal as the dragonwell, but not at all tending toward the woody, either.

It’s like a highly refined version of dragonwell. I don’t remember making this connection with the last Meng Ding I had, but I’ll be on the lookout for it the next time I do.

Tasty, pleasant, and not at all bitter.

Flavors: Asparagus, Nutty, Peas, Sweet, Vegetal

Preparation
175 °F / 79 °C 1 min, 30 sec 2 tsp 17 OZ / 500 ML

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I got obsessed with tea in 2010 for a while, then other things intruded, then I cycled back to it. I seem to be continuing that in for a while, out for a while cycle. I have a short attention span, but no shortage of tea.

I’m a mom, writer, gamer, lawyer, reader, runner, traveler, and enjoyer of life, literature, art, music, thought and kindness, in no particular order. I write fantasy and science fiction under the name J. J. Roth.

Personal biases: I drink tea without additives. If a tea needs milk or sugar to improve its flavor, its unlikely I’ll rate it high. The exception is chai, which I drink with milk/sugar or substitute. Rooibos and honeybush were my gateway drugs, but as my tastes developed they became less appealing — I still enjoy nicely done blends. I do not mix well with tulsi or yerba mate, and savory teas are more often a miss than a hit with me. I used to hate hibiscus, but I’ve turned that corner. Licorice, not so much.

Since I find others’ rating legends helpful, I added my own. But I don’t really find myself hating most things I try.

I try to rate teas in relation to others of the same type, for example, Earl Greys against other Earl Greys. But if a tea rates very high with me, it’s a stand out against all other teas I’ve tried.

95-100 A once in a lifetime experience; the best there is

90-94 Excellent; first rate; top notch; really terrific; will definitely buy more

80-89 Very good; will likely buy more

70-79 Good; would enjoy again, might buy again

60-69 Okay; wouldn’t pass up if offered, but likely won’t buy again

Below 60 Meh, so-so, iffy, or ick. The lower the number, the closer to ick.

I don’t swap. It’s nothing personal, it’s just that I have way more tea than any one person needs and am not lacking for new things to try. Also, I have way too much going on already in daily life and the additional commitment to get packages to people adds to my already high stress level. (Maybe it shouldn’t, but it does.)

That said, I enjoy reading folks’ notes, talking about what I drink, and getting to “know” people virtually here on Steepster so I can get ideas of other things I might want to try if I can ever again justify buying more tea. I also like keeping track of what I drink and what I thought about it.

My current process for tea note generation is described in my note on this tea: https://steepster.com/teas/mariage-freres/6990-the-des-impressionnistes

Location

Bay Area, California

Website

http://www.jjroth.net

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