61 Tasting Notes
I’ve been trying to save some money by not buying new things so it’s been quite a while since I tried a new tea to review! This was actually a free sample with a white2tea order. I’m not usually a huge fan of sun-dried dianhongs but I liked this one, maybe it’s the lighter oxidation. Pretty sweet, a little bit malty, some of that funky vegetable matter flavor I associate with Yunnan.
Flavors: Honey, Malt, Tomato
Downside to living in a humid region: the state of my walls
Upside to living in a humid region: this tea has aged well in the several years since I bought it with little to no work on my part. The liquid is now more orange than yellow and the bitterness is much reduced, replaced by a mildly sweet autumn-leaves kind of flavor.
Flavors: Autumn Leaf Pile, Maple Syrup, Tobacco
This is the first time I’ve tried balhyocha so I can’t say how typical it is, but this is an exceptionally good tea (as well as one of the more expensive teas I own). The leaf aroma is all dark chocolate, but the tea initially sips up fruity, a little pleasantly astringent, before leaving a long-lasting sweet-savory aftertaste of chocolate and barley. Sticky and complex but easy to brew, there’s really no downsides here.
Flavors: Dark Chocolate, Pomegranate, Roasted Barley
Finally! Someone wrote about this one. Balhyocha’s tend to be expensive. I was tempted to get the tin of that. I’m glad someone finally wrote about it!
I’m impressed with all of Spirit Tea’s offerings I’ve tried so far, I’m tempted to make another order soon. @Daylon R Thomas, I originally tried this company because of your review of their Li Shan, thank you! I’m always on the lookout for a good affordable high mountain oolong for a friend who loves them.
This one tastes greener than most of Old Ways’ teas, with some interesting vegetable funkiness. Nice and thick and warming, with plenty of yan yun. Unlike some yancha, this is good in a thermos – when brewed for a long time it becomes very strong without being bitter. I recommend a snack first or it’s tough on the stomach, though.
Flavors: Eggplant, Gardenias, Mineral
A tea that unfolds its flavor over time. It doesn’t taste like very much on the first sip, but leaves a strong sweet aftertaste. Later steeps are soupy and savory, with lots of suspended tea particles in the liquid.
Flavors: Hay, Sweet Corn, Toasted Rice
Now this is good stuff. Starts out light and buttery as popcorn, as I lengthen the steep time the later steeps turn spicy and sweet, with a thicker, juicier texture. There’s a cooling aftertaste that reminds me of Ruby 18 black teas. Very mild and drinkable without being overly subtle.
Flavors: Brandy, Mint, Popcorn
Very hard to beat for the price. Steeps well in a tumbler without getting bitter. The texture is a little thin, but the flavor is nice and malty, strong but not overpowering.
Unfortunately my city’s air is full of smoke right now, but this warm tea helps to soothe my throat.
Flavors: Dark Chocolate, Malt, Maple Syrup
A hot cup of yancha is the perfect thing for an unusually cool June day. Pleasantly sticky, with a nice mineral sweetness that lingers on the tongue. More mild and nuanced in flavor than most roasted teas I’ve tried, I’m picking up a few floral notes too.
Flavors: Jasmine, Juicy, Raisins