Courtesy of a exceptionally kind Steepster friend, my wife & I were able to experience this young shou.

Leaf Color – Chocolate brown with some gold tips throughout.
Fragrance – faint fruity
Aroma 60 sec. warmed leaves – Mod strong pu-erh up front with fine pipe tobacco in the background.
Aroma 20 min post rest – mild fine pipe tobacco w/pu-erh in background.
Brewed aroma – Not noted.
Liqueur – Cloudy amber initially

Taste – Ultra-smooth, rich, round, and very clean. There wasn’t any bitterness, astringency, fishiness or funk, which is surprising for a 2016.

Flavor profile – Initially, there wasn’t an obivous flavor except mild cocoa at the end of the sip. Unfortunately, the third round ( 15s & 30s steps combined) weren’t like the previous very enjoyable cups. The flavor profile morphed into a tart acidic citrus that overshadowed all that we enjoyed in the prior cups. Before I could finish this cup I had stomach upset. Tasting session ended.

Impression – This “bipolar” shou isn’t a morning cup. Given the name " Golden Fruit", and the tart acidic citrus flavor, this shou reminded me of Earl Grey. Not our cup of Shou!

10.5g / 6 oz / 205° / 60s preheat / 60s warm leaves / 10s rinse / 20 min rest / every 2 cups combined / 5s / 5 / 5 / 5 / 15 / 30 / stopped due to stomach upset.

Preparation
10 g 6 OZ / 177 ML

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

People who liked this

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Profile

Bio

My wife and I enjoy shou that:
- is Full-bodied, thick, rich, creamy smooth
- produces a full-mouth feeling with a long pleasing finish
- w/o obvious acidity, astringency, or bitterness
- Retains this profile & is complex enough to enjoy for multiple steeps

Notes of interest:
- natural rich chocolate (as opposed to too bittersweet cocoa)
- honey, caramel, stone fruits, sweet potato, barley, fresh baked bread

Notes not of interest: Floral, vegetal, woody.

Cost-effective organic teas or teas that meet the EU Food Safety Commission Pesticide Maximum Residue Limit EUROFINS are greatly appreciated. Many people drink tea for the anti-oxidant health benefits. So why would health conscious tea lovers drink tea that contains pesticide residues?

Complete steeping instructions on the bag are greatly appreciated:
tsp. (g) / oz. / temp. / rinse? / min. for both Western & Gongfu brewing.

Our recent orders have been from: Yunnan Sourcing, King Tea Mall, Whispering Pines, & Arbor Teas. Kudos to them as they have all been extremely helpful.

Our cupboard doesn’t include the many greatly appreciated samples generously provided by Steepsters’s favorite tea suppliers and by several very kind Steepster members.

Current Gogng Fu Brewing Method:
20g / 6 oz / 205° / 60s preheat / 60s warm leaves / 5s rinse / 5 min rest / 5s / 5 / 7 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 /30 / 45 / 60. Every two steeps combined in a sharing pitcher.

High quality water is essential for excellent tasting tea.
Our 450’ well provides hard water. For details see: http://steepster.com/looseTman/posts/176233#comments.

Solutions:
#1. Rainsoft water softener with
Q2 computerized control valve

#2. Abundant Flow Water
Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System with an Impact Alkaline re-mineralization filter
Model: Zeta RO: https://www.afwfilters.com/drinking-ro-systems/6-stage-alkaline-zoi-zeta-reverse-osmosis-system-16.html
Includes:
- Dow Filmtec TFC R.O. membrane
- Omnipure Inline Post filter
- Impact Alkaline Filter
All filters made in USA & NSF-Certified.
-———————————
Options:
- Aquatec ERP-500 & ASV 2000
- 3/8" Output
- HM Digital DM-2 TDS meter

My profile picture is a Red-Breasted Nuthatch, a winter visitor to our woodpecker feeder.

Location

Mid-Atlantic, USA

Following These People

Moderator Tools

Mark as Spammer