Marshall Weber Send Message

So I basically never drink bagged tea anymore unless I am having a chai latte or a London fog. However, Tiffany sent me some free samples from Davidson’s that she got, and I’m helping review them. This one is just okay. I think I’ve had better rooibos and better chai before, though it’s not bad. Probably not something I would like in a latte as much as other chai if I’m being honest.

Last tea from LP. This is even worse than the YQH, and a very disappointing offer from CYH, who I was beginning to think were the masters of factory puerh haha. This one is just bland, but not pleasant like YQH. Only note is a mild astringency.

From what I can gather, “Zhengshan” means simply that the tea comes from actual Yiwu town instead of the surrounding area.

Hmmm well this one is just okay. Bought this from LP, not YQH’s website. I saw Teadb’s video on this tea recently and while I don’t quite agree with James’ low rating of the tea, I understand his frustrations and think it is pretty on point. The tea is actually pleasant, but that is about the only notable feature. It has a decent “feeling” to it, but no discernible flavors, qi, or much of a distinguishable mouthfeel. It’s just kind of there. Not bad, but certainly not good.

Thank you, LP, for enabling me to try this truly stunning, famous cake at a great price ($1.5/g)! This is one of the best shengs I’ve had. Simultaneously powerful and calm. Sweet from the get-go with no off notes.

The mouthfeel is wild on this one: thick as honey, and sticky too. I would love a cake of this, but alas, none are available online. TWL has a 2005 version for sale for $1/g, and I’m sure it is comparable, but it is out of my price range.

I believe this is the first puerh I’ve had from Mansa. I definitely enjoy it! It is not worth the $2.5/g price tag, though. The flavor is a bit too muted for that. It is certainly calming and very easy drinking with no bitterness, astringency. Mild sweetness and decent longevity > 10 steeps.

From my newest order from LP! This one is not too bad. Definitely pleasant, but a fairly chill tea without much volume. It keeps itself hidden, and yet is a bit tantalizing. Hard to pick out any notes really other than a bit of sweetness and that classic sheng flavor. Definitely won’t be picking up a cake, but was glad to try it.

My last loose-leaf sample from Tiffany – thank you so much! This is perhaps the most unusual tea of the bunch. It’s a heicha from Japan called Goishicha after the black stones used in the game go. Otoyo town seems to be the stronghold of goishicha producers. The tea undergoes a bipartite fermentation, with an initial fermentation by mold and a subsequent bacterial fermentation and pickling (by juice from the tea leaves themselves).

Fairly sweet from the get-go, with a nice sour note pervading the steeps. Lower leaf:water ratio is preferable: 1 g : 30 mL is fine with boiling. Mouthfeel is a bit slimy. Aftertaste is fairly long-lasting.

Another one from Tiffany! I don’t usually like flavored teas much. I love WFT, and this is pretty darn good for a flavored tea, but I just can’t get into it unfortunately. I certainly get a lot of pomelo flavor which is nice. And the mouthfeel of the tea is there. However, I cannot get any other notes from the tea itself as the pomelo is so overpowering. It seems kind of like rose water, just with pomelo flavoring haha. Again, it’s not bad if that’s what you’re looking for, but I prefer being able to taste more contribution from the tea.

Wow this one is amazing!!! Tiffany – you rock! I suppose this one is from Nepal based on the ITCC website? It’s a wonderful, complex tea, wherever it’s from.

Love the medium sweetness, lack of astringency and bitterness, wonderful mouthfeel, and aftertaste lasting 1-2 mins.

Another one from Tiffany – I really appreciate it! I love gyokuro so so much. This one is very nice. I think I prefer my gyokuro a bit brothy-er, but this one is still great! Lots of umami and great mouthfeel. Love Kurihara’s catalogue too :)