31 Tasting Notes
Let me start by saying this is my first pu’er tea so keep that in mind. This smells like earth and chocolate and salt. I’m envisioning rainforest soil, cocao beans and coconuts, on an island with a salty ocean breeze element. Not entirely sure that situation is possible, but that’s what I’m thinking of, as I definitely need some sort of escape from my studies. It’s tasty. Earthy. It really reminds me of dirt, loamy, rich dirt. Though, I guess rainforest dirt is neither rich nor loamy, but I digress. Okay, so dirt. Sweet dirt. Maybe it doesn’t sound appetizing, but it is.
I could say this tea is malty, nutty, chocolatey, rich, and vaguely fruity (maybe plums or raisins) because all these things are true, but this tea’s appeal lies in its simplicity. It is simply tasty. Not so brisk or bold as my equally beloved Irish Breakfast, but still invigorating just the same. It’s not a contemplative cup, but a comforting one, like the Lipton I grew up with, but worlds tastier.
Note: This is the bagged version of this tea steeped with boiling water for three minutes, taken without milk or sugar.
In addition to the indian white, I also got a Chinese black, a Kukicha, and a matcha covered Genmaicha. The Chinese black, labeled only as such, is smoky, woodsy, and floral. I expect it might be a Keemun. Nevertheless, it reminds me of spring in the Olympic mountains. Wild flowers abundant, evergreens standing crisply in the chilly air, perhaps near a campfire. Lovely tea so long as I am careful not to steep it. The Kukicha tastes like a warm chocolate chip cookie without the chocolate, and it can take some steeping abuse. A wonderful tea, as well.
I got some of this tea at my local health food store in bulk. I can’t say I expected much, but this is delightful. I’ve infused this semi-grandpa style. I add three ice cubes to my mug, then slightly cooled boiled water. This tastes like flowers, peaches, and grapes to me. Perhaps I am imagining the grapes because I know this tea is indian and I would assume near Darjeeling, but either way, this is delicious and refreshing.
Flavors: Flowers, Grapes, Nectar, Peach
I’ve had apples that tasted less like apple than this tea. Props to celestial seasonings for creating strangely accurate fruit herbals, as their peach tea tastes uncannily like peaches, too. Anyhow, this tea epitomizes fall: crisp and fresh-picked apples, warm cinnamon, and the color of changing leaves. You owe it to yourself to try this during fall.
This tea isn’t bad at all. I was expecting a hibiscus-y monstrosity, but it actually tasted more like peach with a hint of chamomile. It’s a nice reminder of the past summer because it really does taste quite like peach. A nice, non-objectionable herbal to put me to sleep. Lovely.
