239 Tasting Notes
3g / 200ml glaspot water from Kunzan tetsubin.
3m @ 90C
Ah, a perfect single infusion. This is the mildest first flush iv´e tasted. Yet it is full of a slightly nutty vanilla. Some slight citrus on the aftertaste. The smell is very sweet.
Perfect for afternoon tea :)
Preparation
5g / 180ml Kobiwako kyusu
Two infusions.
1m/1m @ 100C
5g seems to be a good amount. First cup was powerful, yet little astringancy. Second cup was a bit weak. will do a bit longer on second infusion next time.
This is a very nice breakfast tea. And a good amount of caffeine before the saturday long distance run :)
Preparation
5g / 200ml water from kunzan tetsubin in a banko-yaki pot.
Two infusions.
2m @ 85C
3m @ 90C
First impression is very much like a high grade silver needle. But the leaf look more like a mao-cha, curly and twisted. The tea is matured from 2008.
Taste is like that of a good silver needle. maybe a bit sharper. Very full taste, with a long fresh aftertaste. Aftertaste reminds me of a lemony black tea. A darjeeling perhaps. VERY nice!
Will have to look around for more matured silver needle.
Preparation
5g / 220ml zhuni yixing.
1m @ 85C
2:45m @ 90 C
First infusion was a bit weak. I´ve reduced the amount of leaf so i should try a little longer steeping next time. perhaps 1:30 @ 80C.
Second steeping i tried a bit longer and hotter than usual. A bit strong. Ill try 2:30@ 85C next time.
The flavour is the same superb sweet dian hong flavour as always. Honey, cocoa. Malty with very little astringancy. Sofar with this tea i prefer large amount of leafs with shorter infusions. Gong fu brewing! It gives a more intense flavour. But when all i want is a single cup? Worth experimenting on to find the perfect single cup infusion.
Perfect caffeine boost before gym. :)
Preparation
6g / 90ml Celadon gaiwan.
wash/wash/15s/20s/25s etc.
A decent sheng with very little astringency. first steeping was almost buttery. Usual sheng taste (woody/earthy). But slightly mild. I actually forgot my steeping for 3 minutes and the result was only a slight bite. Simply diluted it with some hot water.
I almost always seem to drink sheng when watching series. :)
Preparation
My very first gyokuro!
Brewed it traditional style.
5g / 100ml in a banko-yaki kyusu. Water from Kunzan tetsubin. Served in hagi-yaki 120ml cup. All out japanese tonight :) Used the cup as a yuzamashi. (watercooler)
Only 3 infusions due to lack of time.
2m/8s/8s @ 55C
The taste was intense, sweet. Like a supersencha! Now i understand why gyokuru is considered the best green tea in Japan. I found it invigorating. I will be sure to sample some more gyukuros and stock up! Less sencha next year for sure.
Next time i will use 6g / 100ml.
Preparation
3g / 200ml glaspot.
Forgot to press the timer but guess around 2-4min @ 90C
Was in the mood for a classic british cup of morning tea. So my choice really fell on a darjeeling since i dont really drink blended teas. Otherwise i guess a cup of earl grey would be in order.
This Singbulli is likely the best first flush darjeeling iv´e tried. I hope it lasts until the next harvest! The smell is sweet and fruity (ripe mango?), it smells sweet enough that you´d might think there was sugar added.
The flavor is sweet and a bit floral at first but soon it changes to a pleasant astringency and a spicy feel on the tip of the tounge. I guess this is a rather bold variant of first flush. So if you enjoy a powerful cup as I do, this is spot on!
Preparation
4g / 180ml Kobiwako kyusu.
3 infusions.
1m/1:20m/2m @ 100C
This tea is marvelous. Very little astringancy, complex smooth flavours. Fairly light. Usual flavours are there. Mint, cinnamon, a bit sweeter than other japanese blacks ivé tried.
Leaf are large, so i think next time 5g with slightly longer infusions.
Ill be sure to keep this one restocked. Low cost, superb quality!
Preparation
10g / 180ml Kobiwako kyusu
Four infusions: 1m/1m/1:15m/2m @ 100C
This is by far my favorite japanese black tea. It is shockful of flavours. Cinnamon, mint, even a very slight note of citrus. Very low astringancy.
And the effect of the brand new Kobiwako clay pot is marvelous. The tea recieves strong body AND aftertaste. Mr Hojo really did hit spot on with this new clay. Beutiful. Will post a pic @ a later tasting note.
