What's in my Cup : Nov 13, 2014

2002 White2Tea White Whale

Still riding the pu'er train today as I drink a tea about to hit puberty.  Twelve years of age have turned this tea into a very smooth affair.  It has a firm undercurrent of wood, hay, and smoky apricots that lingers in the mouth and throat for a significant amount of time after swallowing.  It has a pleasant sourness that is accompanied by a slight tongue-drying astringency.  

It is notably sharper when brewed in a gaiwan, however the rounding of flavors offered by this yixing teapot is very welcome on a day where I needed some extra smoothness and relaxation.  

If you are interested in pu'er and haven't been to White2Tea's website.. check it out.

What's in my Cup : Nov 11, 2014

Though it may come as a surprise, I am not paid to take down complex tea tasting notes while on the job.. Alas the format of this blog was perhaps a bit too ambitious given my limited time.  As such I shall be trying out this new format for a bit and see how it goes.


What's in my Cup : November 11, 2014

2014 White2Tea New Amerykah 2

After many months of drinking nothing but oolongs, I am expanding my horizons into pu'er.

This one is brash: wet hay and floral notes dominate the smell of the wet leaves, while the taste is apricots, grass, and the slightest twinge of smoke.  It is up front with its bitterness which transforms to sweetness at the top of the throat for minutes after swallowing. Very nice.