This is my second review of this tea because I needed to figure it out. Adagio recommends 180F for 3-5 minutes… using this method with destroy any chance of enjoying this tea. Using gung-fu method is a far better choice here. 3g to 4oz filtered water for 1:00 (thanks Lion!) really opened this tea up and allowed for a much more enjoyable experience.
Pale ivory cup which becomes more golden on 2nd infusion (1:15). Light floral aromas blended with lovely autumnal aromas of raked leaves. The palate is mild and nutty with a lovely clean powdered sugar sweetness and hints of gala apples. Soft honey-like (not in flavor) mouth feel which has a delicate astringency that seems to pull flavors across the tongue playfully and really bring out the autumnal notes and turn the previously described “ape house” flavors into an enjoyable complexity which compliments the tea. 4+ Infusions are possible using gung-fu method. This is Fall in a cup!
Original Review: 56
Adagio says: “An exquisite version of the White Peony”… White Peony, at least the ones I have had, are beautiful teas. This tea seems to have aromas which remind you of being in the ape house at a zoo. Dry grassy wild-brush, mild floral notes, perspiring animal, white pepper and minerals dominate the flavor profile; the mouth-feel is quite off-putting. The tea was in a sealed pouch sample bag… so its probably not old, and I am very familiar with preparing white teas so its not over-extraction.
I am all for funky tasking unique teas… this isn’t that. This tea just isn’t very good. Disappointing… but its alright, I have been on a streak of good teas so I was bound to hit a bump! Not throwing it away, I will experiment with different infusions and update if I can make it acceptable… or give it to someone I don’t like very much!
