Royal Yunnan

This is what I get for making an order without checking my notes. I forgot that I was going to reorder the Golden, not the Royal. Again, though, not that the Royal is bad. Not at all. And now that my experience with Yunnans has widened perhaps I should do another side by side with them.

For now, I will say that I prefer what results when I use my tap water rather than the filtered water at work. I had a cup at work today and then one at home and they were very different. Too much smoke in the foreground with filtered water for me to really enjoy it. At home, the tap water must have something in it that damps that down or sublimates it in some way because it’s just a nice, pleasant cup of malty, dusty Yunnan. Nothing special but nothing bad either. And the second steep is still good as well, so that’s a plus for this one.

Trying this for the first time. It has a nice malt to it, and a hint of that leather flavor that seems to show up a lot in this type of tea. I am not crazy about the leather, but at least it’s not too strong.

First Infusion (212, 4 minutes): Decent dark liquor, smoked malty taste. Not very complex or interesting. Very astringent and bitter.

New first infusion (200, 4 minutes): Nearly the same as the 212F, 4 minute infusion. Still very astringent and bitter.

New first infusion (190, 4 minutes): Nearly the same as the previous infusions. Astringency was toned down but still very bitter.

Second infusion (190, 4 minutes 15 seconds): Previous malty flavors barely noticeable with the bitterness.

I will update this with more temperatures. For now, I cannot recommend this tea. Not enjoyable.

Tried at a much lower temperature with long steep 4-5 minutes. Lower temperatures reduced astringency but not the flavors and I was able to get 2 great steeps. As mentioned before the smoky flavor is most prominent. This tea was very enjoyable but nothing too amazing. I think I prefer Keemums more, but I would drink this again.

Thank you Sil for the chance to try something new but I really didn’t like this tea. I found it oddly dry. Hopefully Cavocorax has better luck with the sample.

Card and tea Travelling tea box

This is an interesting cup of tea. It’s malty and bold and overall a smooth cup. it’s on the stronger side but there’s no bitterness or astringency for me. Not sure if this would be one to keep in my cupboard but it was nice to try out :)

Thank you Nicole for sharing this yunnan with me.
Unfortunately this one is clearly not for me : too strong for my taste, almost like a coffee.
It has also smocky notes but not the ones I appreciate.
And even if I didn’t oversteep it at all (less than 4 min) I get a certain bitterness at the end of the sip.
It’s just not my kind but it would be a perfect morning companion for whoever likes strong & very malty teas.