351 Tasting Notes
Really enjoyed this the other day. I got it as a free sample. :D
I had it before from their pu-erh sampler but didn’t review it. I’m glad I had a chance to try it again. The dry leaves were small (Te Ji grade) strips, dark. The wet leaves gave off an aroma of leather, earth, some hay and those aren’t my favorite aromas hehe but the dark burgundy liquor was clean, absent of any strong fermentation aromas and tastes. The taste profile was plummy, earthy, some cocoa notes, some grape notes. As I went through my several short infusions, the sweetness came out more and more, as well as some mineral goodness, leaving only a hint of the earthiness behind. The first few infusions had a distinctive dryness, like that of wine. By the 4th and 5th infusions is was more smooth, more fruity and a delicate sweetness with interesting spice notes coming forward. The aftertaste was fruity, sweet, minerally, and spicy.
Gaiwan, 7.5g, 110ml, 10s rinse, several infusions starting at 10s, 15s, 20s, 30s, 40s and more until I was no longer counting steeps or timing infusions. It gave me a nice, relaxing energy. Energetic but calming. Was perfect for what I needed on the day my laptop died lol. I’m on my new laptop today and I finished setting it up and adding all the programs I had on my other one. Worst part about getting a new computer.
Flavors: Cocoa, Earth, Grapes, Hay, Leather, Mineral, Plums, Red Wine, Sweet
Preparation
Additional note:
Sipdown. Enjoyed these little oranges. I put the whole orange in and poured boiling water, no timing, no fuss, can not oversteep it. Does not get bitter, just a pleasant citrus flavor, lasts all day. Recommended to those who don’t drink pu-erh tea but want to try orange stuffed with black tea instead.
Oh and my laptop died. No warning, no bluescreen. Just gone. The HDD is still good so I took that out and the ram card so all is not lost. The motherboard was fried. Sooo, I ordered a new gaming laptop,.. An expense I wasn’t looking forward to. Bah. :)
Have a great & productive day all.
Upping this puppy from 90 to 93. I already wrote a review of my gongu experiences but today I had 2 tsps in 8 oz, 3 min and then 5 min second steep. It is so good. A clean, yummy pu-erh with cocoa nibs that really come through with long steeps.
I visit a few times daily but haven’t written much. You know all that sipdown work we all slave away to do hehe. My life is always same ol’ same ol’, no complaints. Peace and quiet (except for the new upstairs neighbors that has a crying kid and loves to jump up and down while he’s at it lol) is always this girl’s preference.
I hope you are all well. Thank you all who share their life on here. Good or bad. That is one of the purest joys to me. Helps this anti-social girl connect. ^^
Preparation
You know what? I am anti-social too in real life. But making tea notes is beating it. And because you guys are here so nice, I share even bits of my life. And I don´t care!
The name of tea is so interesting. I want to order it just because of name :D
hehe <3 Martin… I hear you!
And oh the tea is wonderful and it’s not expensive. If you do, I look forward to your notes!
I was wondering about how you were yesterday, Kawaii, as I was sipping some Lupicia Strawberry Rhubarb you sent over. :D
Busy day and I have more so hopefully I can add to this review.
Preliminary thoughts: Nice almond notes, as well as the spices, such as cinnamon, cloves, ginger. Stays true to the Wuyi oolong rock teas… Minerals. It says lightly roasted but I would classify it more medium to heavy. Not charcoal-smoky flavor but more roasted flavors and notes. There were caramel notes, some warm vanilla notes. Nice mineral finish.
Roasted, nutty, fruity plum goodness.
Gaiwan, 110ml, 205°F, 9 steeps: rinse, 10s, 15s, 20s, 25s, 30s, 35s,40s, 60s, 120s
I hope you are all having a great and productive day. ^^
Flavors: Almond, Caramel, Cinnamon, Cloves, Dried Fruit, Fruity, Ginger, Mineral, Nuts, Plums, Roasted nuts, Vanilla
Preparation
Likewise to you, too. I’m done for the long weekend. Gonna try to put out 3 tea notes a day S/U/M. Only then will I feel truly productive and fulfilled :P
Sounds so good! I’ve debated picking this up from Mandala a few times, and now I’m kicking myself for not having done so…
Heya all. ^^
Almost done with this bag so thought I’d share my thoughts. I bought a lot of raw pu’er in my last YS order so I was happy to see that I got this bag of green tea with it. The twisted dry leaves are thin, frail-looking… Had the aroma of hay and fresh cut grass. I put 8g in 110ml gaiwan, and after the rinse, the expanded wet leaves smelled so good. Vegetal, buttered asparagus and spinach, hay, sweet grass.
So far I’ve done 5s, 10s, 15s, 20s, 25s, 30s infusions but there are many infusions still left based on my past experiences with this tea. The pale liquor has similar aromas to the wet leaves but I also smell steamed artichokes and a slight chestnut aroma.
It is robust as they say and has a nice aftertaste far after you finish the cup. There is a spiciness to it, I can feel it at the tip of my tongue minutes after. I did short infusions throughout because I didn’t want to experience any bitterness nor astringency. I’ve never had this any other way so perhaps on my last 8g, I’ll try it grandpa style or something. Maybe it won’t get bitter. I don’t know.
Recommended to those who like pungent green teas.
Update: Just had it again, the last of it this morning, and it got bitter with a 1-min infusion. I am usually a gaiwan girl so maybe I did something wrong >.<.
Flavors: Artichoke, Asparagus, Butter, Chestnut, Cut grass, Hay, Spices, Spinach, Umami, Vegetal
Preparation
So Lupicia’s Hawaii online store is soon to open up. I hope they will sell this one.
Their mixture of Kirara and matcha is a tasty one. The little popped rice bits are bright green, dusted with matcha, along with the sencha leaves. It’s an interesting looking tea. Looks almost fluorescent. It smells of toasted rice (imagine that :P) and light sweetness, some grass. The liquor has a very toasty-roasty aroma. The wet leaves are bright green and you can see the little rice bits have all their green dust washed off and they are reddish brown. It’s medium-bodied, with a nice lingering naturally sweet rice finish. I didn’t find it bitter and there was no astringency, but yet it had the consistent and typical characteristics of a good warm cup of green tea. Recommended if you like kirara rice and matcha.
Flavors: Grass, Popcorn, Rice, Roasted, Sweet, Toasted Rice
tea-sipper, there is an expiration date that I’m trying to beat on this one (and some of their other greens)… I have a few Lupicia’s that I have till July. I’m afraid to ask you what “really old” is for you. haha :D
Mixed reviews on this one. Lots of reviews so I’ll just add a lazy my two cents. ^^
I like it a lot. I saw a lot mention stonefruits but I get a lot of cherry, baked tart cherry notes. For most of my bag, I used a gaiwan with 8g, 130 ml, rinse, 9 steeps, 5s, 10s, 15s, 20s, 30s, 45s, 1m, 1m15s, 2m. My liquor was a dark amber brown due to it being so concentrated. No astringency, nor bitterness, smooth, full of fruity flavor, splash of roasted nuts and spices, a good mixture of tart dried fruit and honey sweetness.
Flavors: Apple, Baked Bread, Cherry, Dried Fruit, Honey, Smooth, Spices, Sweet, Tart
Preparation
The coconut and banana are perfectly balanced as tea-sipper said. I prefer a strong banana but that’s one of my personal faves but having said that, it captures the Coconut Banana Cream pie very well. The light colored tea smelled of fresh coconut. Some banana slices and lots of coconut slivers in the mix. The hojicha gives that bready, lightly roasted flavor and the blend of those three main notes were yummy. There is a little woodiness to it, also slightly nutty notes due to a good hojicha. I had it 5g in 110ml gaiwan yesterday and today I had it as directed. 1.5g in 12 oz. A little goes a long way. Both ways it was a good cup(s) of tea but I really liked it in the gaiwan, high concentrated, strong tastes, short infusions.
Flavors: Baked Bread, banana, Coconut, Roasted
Preparation
This one is definitely not for me… It doesn’t taste nasty or anything, it’s just so artificial tasting. One of the few Lupicia teas, I just can’t do. I can’t even get myself to think about the base tea lol. Maybe I’ll try it with a splash of milk or something. It’s like water with a bunch of imitation vanilla flavoring in it. >.<
Flavors: Artificial, Vanilla
Preparation
Sipdown and time to write about it. :)
Toasted rice, good genmaicha, the aroma of coconuts and mango… The taste is very natural, nothing artificial. The mango flavor is a little light for me but you can taste it in the finish. Toasted rice is the main note, and it’s a very creamy feeling tea.
52Teas has made me rethink coconut teas. I love fresh coconut but hate artificial tasting coconut so other than eating coconut straight, I generally stay away from any coconut flavored foods, drinks.. Etc. In their teas though, both the aroma and taste of the coconut is really good.
Flavors: Coconut, Creamy, Mango, Toasted Rice, Toasty
Preparation
Gah, I’m the same about coconut in tea. This and the Foggy Morning reviews are tempting me to dip my toes.
Kawaii, the coconut banana cream pie was my FAVORITE blend from the previous owner of 52Teas, Frank. And I’ve tried so many teas from 52Teas over the years, so that’s saying something. haha. You should give it a try!
Unless you hate banana, like me. :-P But I will get on the soapbox and say I am absolutely cursed with my coconut going bad so fast, yet the coconut 52Teas uses is not only some of the best tasting coconut I’ve ever had in tea, I also have yet to have it go bad on me while every other coconut blend in my house is doomed. I am a fiend for their Foggy Coconut and Coconut French Toast with Cardamom Maple Syrup.
tea-sipper, I’’m going to get it then. hehe
Roswell, I agree. I have loved all their banana teas I’ve tried.
Mastress Alita, bah about hating bananas :P and I remember a post or two of yours that you mentioned your coconut tea going bad.
Frolic, there are a few, especially the banana ones, that come back soon.:)
Derk, ok, I’ll check it out. Thanks ^^
Kawaii, I hope you like the coconut banana cream pie. I will feel better missing out this time around if you buy it. :D

I hate setting up new computers. Probably part of the reason half my files/programs aren’t on my current one…
Kittena, yeah, I keep all my data (photos, documents… Etc) files on an external now. Been there too often. Good idea about the programs. Maybe I’ll go that route except for the ones that I can’t.