This tea is new to me but this is really more a review of my trying a new steeping method. Bonnie pointed me in the direction of a video for using a teacup as a makeshift gaiwan. Today I dug deep into the cabinet and came up with two Corelle cups. They are bone white with herb designs around the outside. I poured water in them and found they held 8oz filled to the very top. Pretty and perfect for steeping just 4oz at a time. I also found a shallow pan to catch spillage.

I heated the cups and added 5-7g of nuggets to one of them. A scale is on my list for future obtainment for more accuracy. I covered the cup with the other and let the leaf absorb the small amount of moisture in the cup. The leaf smells minty. Minty? I read the ingredients – this is straight tieguanyin.

I heated and poured 4oz over the leaf and covered. I let it set for about 15 seconds. I really didn’t know how long to steep. Pouring into the second cup over the pan revealed a lovely golden liquor. The scent is minty and slightly roasted. The taste is light and vegetal.

The second cup has more heft but is still light. The scent is still roasted and minty but not in the sip. The more intense flavor makes me think nettle. I have no idea why as I can’t recall ever tasting nettle. It is sharp, prickly, and slightly bitter. It tastes way better than I make it sound. Maybe it’s my imagination but I think I am already feeling the caffeine. I know it has opened my airways.

The third cup is less prickly and more balanced. A little roasted in the aftertaste. Still not experiencing the typical latex aftertaste of green oolongs. What I am getting is just a nice cooling sensation.

This is unlike any TGY I have had before. Is it the leaf or the method? I won’t know until I try this again with my normal press method later. I am going to keep steeping and if I get major changes I’ll write an update.

Bonnie

I’m so excited that you’re doing this experiment! On the edge to see how this compares. Is this a Taiwanese Oolong (which would explain the cooling possibly)?

K S

According to The Persimmon Tree website this is grown in China but no better location. When you have respiratory issues as I do, the cooling and open air passages kind of jumps out at you. Thanks for motivating me. My wife kept watching and asking, “what are you doing now?” I tried to explain – she kind of glazed over early in the explanation.

gmathis

Link to the video, please? I can’t justify the purchase of … uh, basically anything right now, but recycling a teacup, that’s reasonable and plausible!

K S

The typical oolong aftertaste shows up in either the 4th or 5th steep.

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Bonnie

I’m so excited that you’re doing this experiment! On the edge to see how this compares. Is this a Taiwanese Oolong (which would explain the cooling possibly)?

K S

According to The Persimmon Tree website this is grown in China but no better location. When you have respiratory issues as I do, the cooling and open air passages kind of jumps out at you. Thanks for motivating me. My wife kept watching and asking, “what are you doing now?” I tried to explain – she kind of glazed over early in the explanation.

gmathis

Link to the video, please? I can’t justify the purchase of … uh, basically anything right now, but recycling a teacup, that’s reasonable and plausible!

K S

The typical oolong aftertaste shows up in either the 4th or 5th steep.

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K.S. passed away in late April. There will be no more postings from him. Thank you.

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