Drinking “bulang ball” from Rasseru’s Singapore group buy.
This is a really nice sheng. Dry, it doesn’t smell like much, but it is very flavourful after steeping.
Steep 1:
Some bitterness at the end of each sip. Some licoice flavour, but without the metallic licorice root taste or the sweetness. Some mild puerh flavour.
Steep 2-5: Well, that got bitter fast. Had to resteep a few times in cold water until it was drinkable again.
Steep 6: This is definitely sheng; I can taste the bitterness of young pu, but it has none of the fermented taste of shou. I get anise and licorice taste mostly, followed by petrichor and loam/sand stone. Some hints of dried apple when I smell the liquid.
Rasseru mentioned fudge and caramel notes in this, but I didn’t get anything like that. I did, however, appreciate the strong licorice flavour. (side note: this was not stored with any flavoured teas). I am not much a fan of bitter teas, but several of the steeps had little to no bitterness (first steep and later ones). Overall, it is a solid 78/100
Flavors: Anise, Bitter, Licorice, Loam, Sand
