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Dry Leaf Sweet with floral bitterness.
Wet Leaf Floral bitterness with smoky presence that becomes sweeter and mellow as you smell it.
Liquor golden-yellow that is not bright

Gong Fu in Porcelain Gaiwan 5oz/5g

1st – 2secs Lid smells bittersweet floral with raw sugar sweetness under a thick smoky scent. Liquor, is sweet and smooth with a smoky hint that is very pleasant. A very sweet aftertaste that is also refreshing.

2nd – 2secs Lid smells bittersweet floral with smoky notes that turn sweet. The steep is smoky, sweet and floral with the slightest hint of ‘green’ that is somewhat herbaceous and smooth. As it washes down it is very floral and slightly bitter with some astringency that smooths down as the very sweet aftertaste takes over.

3rd – 3secs Lid is smoky, floral, slightly bitter and sweet. The liquor is bittersweet floral with apparent smokiness. As it washes down it is very floral and slightly herbaceous with some astringency that quickly smooths out. The aftertaste is floral and slowly becomes very sweet and refreshing.

4th – 5secs Lid smells bittersweet floral and strongly smoky that becomes sweeter. The liquor is bittersweet floral with strong smokiness that wears astringency and some bitterness. As it washes down the astringency smooths down and becomes floral in taste. The aftertaste is floral and sweet and becomes sweeter and refreshing.

5th – 7secs Lid smells sweet, smoky and floral with some bitterness. The liquor, is bittersweet floral with apparent smokiness that wears some astringency but quickly becomes smoother. The aftertaste is very floral and lingers longer before becoming very sweet and refreshing.

6th – 9secs Lid smells slightly cleaner and sweet with smoky and floral notes. The liquor is smoky, slightly less floral/bitter with some astringency. As it washes down it becomes smoother with floral and sweet notes. The aftertaste is lingering floral and smoky but becomes very sweet over time.

7th – 13secs Lid smells sweet and smoky with some floral notes. The liquor is bittersweet floral, smoky ans sweet with some astringency. As it washes down it becomes smooth once again but becomes sweeter rather than floral, although floral notes are still present. The aftertaste is very sweet and refreshing.

8th – 16secs Lid smells sweet, almost fruity with some smoky and floral notes. The liquor is cleaner at first and quickly turns sweet and smoky with subtle floral notes. As it washes down is more floral than initially and maintains its sweetness. The aftertaste is very sweet and very refreshing.

Final Notes
I did 12 steeps of this tea which I enjoyed very much. I was told must people do 6-8 and I think I know why. That is the range where the floral bitterness and smokiness start to fade. I’m not sure this is a good reason for me to stop steeping specially since it maintains its sweetness and I can’t explain how refreshing this tea is. I love it, I already took a layer off the cake to keep at work, the rest is strictly gong-fu at home.

Well, not everything can be great lol. This is a very savory black tea that is also extremely smoky, yet somehow not ‘burnt’ taste to it. I can respect it and appreciate it from time to time at work and have found myself ‘craving’ it specially in a cold office day. I guess its savory and smoky taste is warming to me.

Other than that, it isn’t a great tea. I’ll probably never restock it even though it is extremely cheap.

Quick Notes
1st – 30-40 seconds – VERY smoky, it is savory and the smokiness is somewhat overwhelming for me. I can drink it at work but is just a ‘something to wake up tea’ better than a teabag anyway.

2nd – 30-50 seconds – Not so much smoky, still savory with the slightest sweet taste in the background as it washes down. I think this is pretty much the steep I can enjoy. To me is somewhat like having a smoky soup in the morning to warm up and start the day.

I find this tea to be a very cheap option for the office but I still won’t restock. David’s collections has other cheap ‘better’(for me) black teas.

Dry Leaf Sweet, floral, plummy/apricot, fresh.
Wet Leaf Vanilla, creamy, sweet potato/taro, apricot.
Liquor Pale greenish-yellow

Gong Fu in Yixing Gaiwan 6oz/5-6g

1st – 2secs The lid and leaves smell extremely sweet, fruity and creamy with citrus notes. Floral and fruity with strong citrus notes like orange peel that is subtly in its lingering presence. As it washes down it becomes sweet with hints of vanilla. The aftertaste is subtly sweet, floral and citrusy.

2nd – 2secs Lid and leaves smell extremely sweet and citrusy with apricot and vanilla notes. Sweet and floral with citrus and vanilla notes that slowly fade into floral sweetness that lingers through the aftertaste with is very refreshing.

3rd – 4secs Lid and leaves smell sweeter and floral with slightly less citrus and apricot notes. The liquor is very floral and it becomes plummy/apricot like with strong citrus notes. As it washes down the strong floral slightly fades and lingers with vanilla notes. The aftertaste is sweet and refreshing.

4th – 6secs Lid and leaves smell sweet, floral vanilla with apricot and citrus notes. The liquor is Citrusy and sweet, vanilla floral with apricot notes. As it washes down it is very sweet and refreshing with apricot notes. The aftertaste is sweet and pleasantly refreshing.

5th – 8secs Lid and leaves smell sweet and strong apricot with citrus notes. Floral citrusy with apricot and vanilla notes. As it washes down it remains floral and the aftertaste is refreshing and lasting.

6th – 12secs Lid and leaves smell more apricot and citrusy with some sweetness. The liquor is very citrusy and apricot/plummy like with floral vanilla notes. As it washes down it becomes rather sweet and floral, this lasts through the aftertaste.

Final Notes
I got a good 9 steeps out of this one. This one has some subtle notes but it is complex in the many notes that it bears but they are fairly straight forward and enjoyable with little effort. I love it. This is the lightest roast version of this tea I had and by far the most ‘plummy/apricot’ like, very good. EDIT!!! I’ve been going through all my Oolongs again. this needed a ‘grading’ update. So does Gong Xian!!!

Dry Leaf Sweet, slightly earthy.
Wet Leaf Earthy, sweet and refreshing
Liquor Dark bronze color with thin malty layers on top.

Gong Fu in Porcelain Gaiwan 5oz/5-6g

1st – 10secs Sweet and refreshing with slight earthy notes. As it goes down it feels slightly creamy and very smooth. The aftertaste is sweet and very refreshing.

2nd – 10secs Sweet and smooth that becomes creamy and very refreshing with hints of earthy notes. The aftertaste is sweet, malty, and very refreshing. After a bit of time the earthy note gives hints of what could be a dark/bittersweet chocolate? :)

3rd – 10secs Thicker, creamier and smoother and sweet that slowly becomes refreshing as it washes down. The liquor is smooth and there’s a faint roasty/earthy taste. The aftertaste is sweet and refreshing.

4th – 10secs Sweet, smooth and creamy that is very refreshing. The freshness is very present and everlasting. The aftertaste is still very sweet and refreshing.

5th – 15secs Sweet and smooth with some maltiness and creamy full body that is very pleasant and almost filling. It continues to be refreshing and sweet as it washes down and continues through the aftertaste.

6th – 20secs Sweet and creamy that is very smooth and has some maltiness. It somehow manages to be full bodied, creamy and refreshing at the same time. Sweet and refreshing aftertaste.

7th – 20secs Sweet and creamy that is very smooth with some creaminess and some maltiness. As it washes down it becomes cleaner and very refreshing. The aftertaste is cleaner but still sweet and very refreshing.

Final Notes
I love this Puerh! It is simple and VERY enjoyable. It resembles a few other more expensive Puerhs for half the price! I have to say I’m impressed by the leaf/bud distribution on this one since I’ve seen Tibetan Puerhs that look like someone compressed the leaves from their backyard in Autumn (they are still really good, they just look ‘rough’). I’m going keep re-stocking this one.

Dry Leaf Honey sweet, orchid and fruity(candy like).
Wet Leaf Plummy, fruity, floral, Orchid floral, honey, fresh.

Gong fu in Yixing Gaiwan 6oz/6-7g

1st-2secs Clean and sweet with very subtle orchid floral notes. The sweetness is honey like and lasting. The liquor is very refreshing and clean, as it washes down the aftertaste is sweet and very subtle floral.

2nd-4secs Clean and VERY sweet with subtle floral notes. Honey sweetness is very present with a slight fruity hint. This Oolong has a refreshing character that is very note worthy. Its aftertaste is sweet and subtle with floral notes.

3rd-6secs Sweeter and slightly less clean, with some floral hints being present in the front. This floral sweetness lasts as it washes down and becomes refreshing and through the aftertaste that is still very sweet and slightly floral.

4th-10secs Sweet with orchid floral notes that wears the slightest bitterness that fades quickly into sweetness. As it washes down it remains sweet and refreshing; there a faint herbaceous note that is pleasant. The aftertaste is sweet with subtle floral notes.

5th-15secs Very sweet with orchid floral notes and slight fruity hints. The taste becomes slightly floral and then fades into sweetness. The aftertaste remains unchanged.

6th-20secs Slightly less sweet that previously. The liquor still has subtle floral and fruity notes that lingers very subtly as you continue to drink. As it washes down it becomes sweet and the aftertaste is sweet and slightly more floral.

Final Notes:
This Oolong is very good, it is very sweet and takes several infussions well. The thing is that is very subtle and after having tried the ‘Ba Xian’ Oolong this one will remain in its shadow for me. But it is still a great Oolong that is easy to enjoy if you are looking for simple sweetness and enjoyable is you like the challenge of subtle complexity. EDIT going through all my Oolongs I felt I didn’t do this Oolong justice Bumping up its score!

Decided to go in a light roast/oxidation Oolong adventure and ordered a sampler of Phoenix Mountain Oolongs. Not disappointed.

Gong Fu in Yixing Gaiwan 6oz/5-6g
Dry Leaf – Honey sweet, fruity and peach/plum scent.
Wet Leaf – Extremely sweet and fruity, sweet potato, peach/plum with citrus hints.
Liquor – Pale yellow and green color that still lively.

1st – 4secs Lid smells incredibly sweet and fruity like peach or plum and somewhat citrus. Sweet and fruity but with an apparent floral note that then turns bittersweet floral that is reminiscent of a very fruity and extremely floral Tie Guan Yin. The aftertaste has a hint of vanilla sweetness and floral.

2nd – 4secs Lid smells sweet and fruity with citrus notes and a apparent peach/plum. Extremely floral and fruity that wear some bitterness but very pleasant. As the bitterness diminishes the sweetness becomes apparent and balanced once again reminiscent of a TGY with added fruitiness. The aftertaste is sweet and very floral and long lasting.

3rd – 5secs Lid smells sweet and fruity with citrus notes, peach/plum notes and more floral. Bittersweet floral taste that is very apparent and pleasant, as it washes down it balances and again resembles a TGY. The liquor remains very fruity and floral and the aftertaste is lasting in the palate and the back of the throat.

4th – 6secs Lid is still very sweet and fruity in scent; the citrus notes is still very apparent and so is the plummy/peach but the floral notes are slightly less apparent. Floral bitterness and fruity at the start and once again balances out with it’s sweetness that is honey like. The aftertaste is very sweet and floral and seems to last forever.

5th – 10secs Lid smells sweet and fruity with apparent citrus and peach/plum notes. Sweet and floral with some bitterness (not as strong as previous) that turns sweeter as it washes down. The sweetness lasts through the aftertaste with floral notes that are very pleasant.

6th – 20secs Lid still wears apparent sweetness and fruitiness, this time the peach scent is more defined and the floral is Orchid like. The liquor is very floral and again slightly bitter but slowly turns sweeter, once again reaching that bittersweet balance that is very pleasant and that lingers through the aftertaste.

Final Notes
A very very pleasant Oolong! That is also very complex is taste and scents. I feel like I would continue to buy this tea but not make it an every day tea. I feel its complexity requires you to slurp the liquor to truly enjoy it as its fragrance is surely part of the whole experience. I might start getting more into lighter Oolongs after all. I made several other steeps, if I felt the floral notes were weak I just cranked up the time, it never really turned astringent and its bitterness was very pleasant.

NOTE This is another sample thanks to my friend Roberto. This was at work, so I might add another note at another time.

Dry Leaf – Faint black tea sweetness, Oolong/Liu-An scent
Wet Leaf – Roasty sweetness, some black tea scent, hints of caramel/malt/chocolate like a roasted Oolong, slightly fruity.

I did a mega quick wash.

1st Steep – 15secs Clean and sweet, yet not so clean. There is an ‘aged’ characteristic that so far I can only compare to a Liu-An tea. It has a slightly herbaceous scent. There’s a lingering taste that is very pleasant, like a roasted/charcoal Oolong; maybe an extremely well aged ripe puerh.

2nd Steep – 30secs Again, a mixture of clean/yet very unique taste to it with sweetness. The ‘aged’ taste and ‘toasty’ taste is more tobacco/chocolate like (very pleasant not like someone smoking right next to you :P) almost like a charcoal roasted Oolong. The sweetness can also be compared to that of a charcoal oolong, which is very present but unique to the roasting process. The aftertaste is lingering and sweet, seems to outlast most black teas I’ve had (except a purple varietal).

3rd Steep – 45secs Not as ‘clean’, more roast/charcoal Oolong like with apparent sweetness as it washes down. The body is a lot lighter in this steep but still present. Yet this steep to me seems sweeter than previously. It has a very nice and lasting sweetness.

FINAL NOTES
A very different black tea, almost not a black tea at all. If you only like strong black teas, this one I’d stand clear from. BUT! if you like subtle and more complex teas then go for it. I’m glad I didn’t read the description of the tea on the page before trying it. Once I had tasted it and checked it out I found myself saying “ahhhh! that’s why it resembles an Oolong..” and “Now it makes sense why the aftertaste lingers so well”.

I don’t think it is an every day tea, but it is a very special experience that can be appreciated. The sweetness lingers!

Another quick note. And also, thanks to Scott from Yunnan Sourcing for the nice sample.

I love Maocha. The Sweetness that is hidden behind floral perfume notes and hints of smokiness. This was no exception, it is really good and pleasing, it still has some strong bitterness that I’m sure will mellow as it ages. BUT that doesn’t mean that this bitterness is unpleasant, in fact is its pretty pleasant and satisfying. Recommend if you like Maocha or just raw puerh with some personality.

Quick lazy review!

I’ve had this for a while but just been lazy. I bought it as a ‘let me drink it as it ages’ puerh. I really like it. I feel it is really good, especially for the price. Two 250g cake for that price is crazy.

The tea is has a full/heavy body and it is pretty smooth. It is pretty earth (not that aged) but not as a cheap/low quality puerh would be. If you are trying puerhs and are still learning how to choose this is one to pick up. If you like ripe puerhs then I consider this tea an inexpensive pleasure.

Quick Notes Longer steeping times for contrast with the short steeping tasting notes.

Gong Fu style 5-6g tea 5oz gaiwan Initial wash of 20 seconds

1st – 30secs – The liquor is light bronze color. Sweet and creamy body that is very smooth and pleasant. It then turns savory with subtle earthy notes. Really smooth and mellow with some camphor freshness that lingers through the aftertaste which is also sweet.

2nd – 20secs – The liquid is a dark bronze color with light malt layers. Sweet and creamy, it is a full bodied tea. Very smooth and pleasant with only hints of earthy notes. The creamy sensation covers my tongue; it feels like slightly swells my tongue. The savory notes are more brothy and apparent with hints of wood. Very refreshing and sweet aftertaste.

3rd – 20secs – Leaves are loosening up and the liquor is a dark bronze color. The liquor is creamer, smoother and sweeter then turning savory for several seconds which allows an earthy/woody notes to be appreciated as part of its brothiness. The aftertaste is slightly brothy/soup like before turning sweet and very refreshing.

4th – 20secs – Leaves smell very creamy, sweet and earthy. The liquor is sweet, almost fruity before becoming creamy/buttery and covering the tongue. Only a slight savory taste with faint earthy note. As it washes down the creaminess cover and turns very sweet and refreshing in the aftertaste.

5th – 30sces – Sweet and refreshing, then slowly turn creamy and goes down very smoothly. The savory notes are barely present and the earthy notes that were already subtle seem even more hidden. A very sweet and refreshing aftertaste.

6th – 30secs – Very sweet adn smooth the creaminess is present but decreased in ‘speed’ to set in, the camphor freshness seems to take its place before it sets in. The earthiness is only present when initially ‘slurping’ your tea, then disappears in sweetness and freshness.

7th – 35secs – Sweet and only slightly more creamy than previous than the previous steep. There’s a faint/subtle earthiness to it. The aftertaste is refreshing and sweet. From this steep and on the tea seems more like a black tea in its sweetness and creamy body, the earthiness very subtle.

NOTE
I made several other steeps adding about 5-10 seconds as I saw fit.

This tea is very good and ‘weird’ at the same time. When opening the wooden box I got a strong camphor scent and earthiness that reminded me compacted compost (in the greatest way possible).