187 Tasting Notes
ahhhh time for an afternoon oolong. i JUST got this in the mail, totes ordered it after the steepster january sample (way to sell, guys!) – it is just as good as remembered. i think i’m in love with oolongs, and this might just be fighting for top spot against the comparable Tea at Sea high mountain oolong (theirs is indonesian, however). piney fresh damp mountain woods, right after a rain. cannot say enough how amazing this stuff is!
Preparation
i am re-doing this tea and its tasting note! i now recommend, i now bump higher in rating. B plus this time!
Morgana (THANK YOU!!!) pointed out that Gyokuro usually wants a lower temp and longer steep time than the Den’s recommended. so instead of 60 sec. at 180 deg, i tried 120 sec. at approx 140 deg. made a huge difference! i think the veggies finally got cooked! or something. the seaweed was much less overpowering, and the vegetal green (fresh, bright green!) was enhanced, brought forth, materialized.
definitely like it better this way. Tea communities ROCK!!
Preparation
ok maybe it is my taste buds, but is this the second over-umami’d green tea from Den’s in a row for me? i like it, but i don’t believe i could drink this all day. i’ll try a second steeping out of curiosity, i’m sure, but this is just too…TOO. there’s something sharper, more ribbed and less squishy about my favorite Sencha Fuka-Midori, i’m not really sure what causes it or how to describe it. but this tea makes me miss it.
perhaps i’m not classy enough or something, but the pricier, more exclusive teas seem to NOT be my favorites. this one gets a solid C from me.
Preparation
oh wait, i just realized. higher temps cause these teas to taste less like the ideal, right? perhaps 2nd steeping will be boilt. off to go try.
Gyokuros like very low temps and longer steeps. I would try it at 140 for two minutes and see how that works.
good thing i’m a procrastinator, as i didn’t yet go boil those leaves. trying your advice right now! (the above was the Den’s recommended treatment, btw.) (dangit, i really need a tea thermometer. i’m going to have to go with “feels about 20 deg cooler than last time” LOL!)
Good luck!
OH i liked that! the seaweed was under control, and the vegetable-y was improved! liked so much i’m going to try again with fresh tea and your parameters!
Thanks, Morgana! U rock!
Great! So glad it turned out.
OH my goodness. this is so delicious. so last night i had a long-overdue mugful of the Brioche Free, with cream (er, half-and half) and sugar, and holy cow it was delish. it SO hit the spot that all morning long i’ve been imagining i taste it and smell it all over the place. so FINALLY i assuage my craving with a hit of the Organic Brioche, just made up, milk (1%) and sugar included, and my itch, it is scratched. i can’t believe i’d forgotten i own this as well as the BF. BAD bad. NEVER again will i forget.
Preparation
ok, it might be on account of i JUST finished an extremely salty/umami second steeping of a fancy sencha, but this is SO YUMMY! i love a good toasty houjicha, and this one hits the spot. perfect late afternoon tea!
Preparation
this is interesting – very seawatery, very vegetable-y, i think they call that umami? it’s a little mellower than other senchas, there’s still a tiny bit of bitterness, but this is smooth and sweet and salty. a little heavy on the salty, this first steeping. will update upon seconds.
