I have a lot of tea samples in the mail. I hope y’all like reviews and tasting notes!

I blind caked 2023 Prosbloom from white2tea because of how cheap it is. I have samples in the mail that cost more than this cake. $15 is amazing. However, this tea is not a stunner.

Brewing Parameters:

7g in my 125ml gaiwan 205°F/96°C water temp.

Tasting Notes:

Dry Smell: Light refreshing aquarium.

Wet Smell (post rinse): menthol mulch

  • Rinse

  • Steep 1 (flash): smooth & dull with a slightly minty mouth feel.

  • Steep 2 (flash): still very smooth, vanilla with a mossy overgrown pond life tone.

  • Steep 3 (20s): I did a long steep here to try and push the tea because of how smooth it had been. Smooth vanilla and pond life dominate with a hint of leather and dark chocolate richness.

  • Steep 4 (30s): Old library that has a fish tank.

  • Steep 5 (50s): Wood pencil and school textbook.

  • Steep 6 (1m 30s): peppery school textbook with a hint of sweetness and dark chocolate richness.

I stopped because it is late and I started to feel quite caffeinated. This tea could’ve gone a few more brews.

Ending lid smell: vanilla cherry puerh

Taste review: Duller than I want. I like menthol, leather, wood, and bold flavors. This was a smooth inoffensive vanilla with supporting flavors.

Tea High: This felt on the energetic side. It has a bit of that smoothness and calmness, but, like the rest of the tea, the parts that I really enjoy seem to be background characters.

Solid for $15.

I’m curious to grandpa brew this tea.

  • verity_kindle@sh.itjust.works
    3·
    2 months ago

    I really enjoy detailed tasting notes and reviews! I 'm new to Chinese teas in general and never know what is a “good price” in USD, so thanks for including that. I like menthol-like scents, never knew puerh could possess it. The one or two puerhs I have had were not complex at all, but then, my palate is not developed yet. Palate held back by wallet!

    • pebbles@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
      2·
      2 months ago

      Cool! I’ll make sure to keep saying how I feel about the prices then! To me leather and menthol seem adjacent, like leather tastes can only exist with the support of menthol vibes. I have a review in my notebook that I just need to type up of a tea you may like: 2021 camphornought from white2tea.

  • calliope@retrolemmy.com
    2·
    2 months ago

    I really appreciate this! I just started drinking pu’er teas and I hope your note “old library that has a fish tank” stays with me forever.