Did the last three cuppings for class this afternoon…
Silver Needle China White #1
DRY LEAF APPEARANCE:
Thin, slender leaves with fine, delicate fuzz/down. A very pale green colour primarily.
WET LEAF APPEARANCE:
Leaves no longer look fuzzy; and have hardly expanded. They’re a more distinct pea green with browned ends.
INFUSED LIQUOR ANALYSIS:
Translucent liquor; very soft and pale yellow colour. Next to no sediment.
AROMA ANALYSIS:
Light, sweet aroma of blooming flowers and honey.
FLAVOUR ANALYSIS:
Very delicate with sweet floral and fruit notes. Distinctly honeysuckle with light, fresh lemon and vanilla notes. Silky mouthfeel & refreshing.
Gunpowder China Green #1
DRY LEAF APPEARANCE:
Very small, fine tightly rolled medium green coloured leaves. Pellet/ball shaped and fairly uniform.
WET LEAF APPEARANCE:
Leaves have unraveled from their tightly wound balls; but aren’t as expanded as they perhaps could be. Thin/narrow strands. A khaki green.
INFUSED LIQUOR ANALYSIS:
Brighter, golden yellow/green liquor. Very clear.
AROMA ANALYSIS:
Smokey and vegetal; with a bit of a buttery steamed artichoke scent.
FLAVOUR ANALYSIS:
Smokey and nutty with a sharper green grass flavor. Peppery, with a coppery/metallic tasting finish. Semi-tannic.
Ti Kuan Yin Oolong
DRY LEAF APPEARANCE:
Semi-rolled tea leaves; vaguely pellet shaped. Varying green hues but predominantly olive. Some brown.
WET LEAF APPEARANCE:
Mostly unfurled leaves; still largely olive in colour with brown parts. Leaves are either full/unbroken or mostly unbroken.
INFUSED LIQUOR ANALYSIS:
Very clear, pale yellow green colour. Fine bits of sediment at the bottom of the brewing vessel.
AROMA ANALYSIS:
Dominated by roasty notes with some floral notes shining through. Has a bit of a fresh cut grass smell.
FLAVOUR ANALYSIS:
Roasty/nutty top notes that spread into the body, which tastes sweeter and vegetal. Floral finish with magnolia like notes.
I liked both the Silver Needle and the Ti Kuan Yin, but didn’t like the gunpowder at all. It was also the blend that, out of the five, I struggled with describing (the aroma and taste; visually it’s very easy to describe) the most.
