Sealed bag, Spring 2014 harvest.

Delicate, brittle leaf in colors faded grey-brown-green. Smells spicy, dry and pungent — desert earth and green bell pepper without sweetness underpinned by muscatel and strawberry.

First steep had a dry grass-desert earth aroma and a light golden color with a tinge of green. Viscous and smooth finishing dry with minerals and salivation. Mostly tastes of dry grass, barely noticeable apricot aftertaste. Feel mintiness in chest and in the sinuses. Second steep was basically hot water.

I would say time hasn’t been so kind to this green tea but RahRahSan’s review 6 years ago suggests that it was never remarkable to begin with. At least it had a nice mouthfeel.

Flavors: Apricot, Dry Grass, Drying, Earth, Green Bell Peppers, Mineral, Mint, Muscatel, Spicy, Strawberry

Preparation
170 °F / 76 °C 2 min, 0 sec 2 g 7 OZ / 200 ML
White Antlers

I’m glad you are safe, derk. I never cared for California all the years I lived there but it still deeply saddens me to see these devastating fires, year after year. As I told Mastress Alita, what pierces my heart more deeply and fiercly than anything is the loss wild life, the loss of their habitat and the house pets who could not be rescued in time.

Leafhopper

Yes, stay safe during this wildfire season. I work with Indigenous communities in Saskatchewan who lose caribou and other animals to province-wide wildfires every season, and it is saddening. Please, put out your campfire when you’re done with it, as it can have a huge impact. Wildfires don’t need our help to start. Sorry, getting off my soapbox now.

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Comments

White Antlers

I’m glad you are safe, derk. I never cared for California all the years I lived there but it still deeply saddens me to see these devastating fires, year after year. As I told Mastress Alita, what pierces my heart more deeply and fiercly than anything is the loss wild life, the loss of their habitat and the house pets who could not be rescued in time.

Leafhopper

Yes, stay safe during this wildfire season. I work with Indigenous communities in Saskatchewan who lose caribou and other animals to province-wide wildfires every season, and it is saddening. Please, put out your campfire when you’re done with it, as it can have a huge impact. Wildfires don’t need our help to start. Sorry, getting off my soapbox now.

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Bio

This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. And thus I step away.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile. Terpene fiend.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, Nepal and Darjeeling. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possess off flavors/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s pu’er, I likely think it needs more age.

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California, USA

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