Thanks again, Nicole! I thought this one was very similar looking to Mandala’s Morning Sun, possibly even the same harvest so I wanted to try this one soon after the other to compare. I think it is the same tea. This one did a little lighter than the Mandala BUT that could be a matter of using slightly less leaves this time (or some other parameter being off.) But this one results in three solid steeps that never get that oversteeped oaky leaf flavor. It’s such a complex deep tea though! I do get the barbeque notes at the top of the first steep that someone else mentioned, because at first it’s a little smoky and spicy/peppery. Malty, honey deep amber liquid follow for the remainders of that cup and the other steeps. I wish I had a tea like this in stock! I really wish I didn’t like quite so many varieties of tea.
Steep #1 // 1 1/2 tsps. // 10 min after boiling // 2 min
Steep #2 // 6 min a.b. // 2 min
Steep #3 // just boiled // 5 min steep
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I find this one to be a bit smoother than Mandala’s with a bit less smoke. I like them both a ton but if I had to pick just one, it might be this one.
Ah, so it might not be the amount of leaves I used if you noticed it too. Maybe one is a spring harvest and one is a fall?
Perhaps. I found that the Morning Sun from one year was better (to my tastebuds) and with less smoke than it was the following year so it can always be all kinds of growing variations as well as processing.
I find this one to be a bit smoother than Mandala’s with a bit less smoke. I like them both a ton but if I had to pick just one, it might be this one.
Ah, so it might not be the amount of leaves I used if you noticed it too. Maybe one is a spring harvest and one is a fall?
Perhaps. I found that the Morning Sun from one year was better (to my tastebuds) and with less smoke than it was the following year so it can always be all kinds of growing variations as well as processing.