2009 Kim Shin Ho Balhyocha

Another sample from Dao Teas. Thanks again Matt and Pedro. Also Kim Shin Ho should be thanked for producing this amazing tea!
I opened the bag of 2009 Balhyocha, I had no idea what to expect, a wave of dark sweetness wafted out. The smell alone made my mouth water.

While brewing I could smell a bit of fruit but was not able to place what kind of fruit.
The first sip I took from this dark amber brew was just astonishing. It was spiced almost. It was not a really spicy just enough for a little kick. The sweetness and the spiciness were perfectly balanced. I got to experience three amazing infusions of this magical tea. The first infusion was very strong, but not overbearing. You could really taste the sweetness, which was a grassy kind of sweetness. The implacable spice was there as well.
The Second and Third infusions were a bit more mild but still fantastic. The Spice changed into a ginger sort of spice.

It is really hard for me to describe this tea. There are just so many tastes in it that I have never had the opportunity to taste. This tea is just so unique and has a kind of magic present in it. Kim Shin Ho is truly a tea master.

2009 Kim Shin Ho Jungjak

First off I would like to thank Pedro of Dao Tea and Matt from MattCha's blog.
This tea is the first Korean tea I have ever gotten the opportunity to drink. So thank you for sharing.

After weeks of anticipation and waiting, mainly because the post office workers lost the package, I finally received the package. I opened it up and this tea was the first one to come out so I decided to try it first.
The smell that came out of the little silver sample package was so sweet and fruity with a hint of fresh cut grass. If only this is what the brew actually tasted like. Even while brewing this smell was all around. I thought I was about to experience a new kind of sweetness.
Needless to say my hypothesis was incorrect. The neon yellow brew was extremely bitter. Not just bitter but oleaginous as well. This is definitely not my cup of tea. The only positive I got out of this tea was the caffeine which I actually could notice unlike most teas I drink.

I can't wait to try the others though! I have already tried the 2010 Sejak and really enjoyed it.

Tea outdoors and 1999 Tie Kuan Yin Oolong

So I have been reading a lot of the Tea Outside post from The Association of Tea Bloggers, and even though I am not a member I love the idea of posting about tea outside. And since Brett from Black Dragon Tea Bar prompted this topic I thought it would be appropriate to discuss the tea I bought from him. Thanks again for the wonderful tea!

Cup resting on top of cut bamboo

I decided to go hiking to find the only bamboo forest I know of in my area. It only was about a three mile hike but it was totally worth it to sit next to the bamboo and drink tea.

This Tie Kuan Yin is 11 years old and has been baked once that I know of. It is a very impressive tea I must say. It is a lovely balance of fruity and a sort of nutty bitterness.
I only had enough water for three infusions, but they were wonderful! Next time I will be sure to take more water.
The first infusion was a mix of softer fruits like banana and maybe a hint of peach. If you let it sit in your mouth a think sweetness took over. The aftertaste was a bit nutty, not peanut but walnut?
Second and third infusions led to more of the nutty taste and a pine like aftertaste. I can't wait to see what all this tea has in store!

I try to have tea outside as much as I can. It is hard in the summer, but for some reason tea and nature just go together. Just sit and meditate listening to nature all around you with a nice cup of tea, it is an awe inspiring experience. That's what I did in this little bamboo forest. I encourage you to try it sometime.

2005 Chang Tai Menghai Qiao Sheng puer

Another lovely Chang Tai tea!

I was quite amazed with the first Chang Tai tea I tasted, Golden Bamboo mountain, this one however surpassed my expectations!

Opening the sample bag, from Bret, a lovely smokey smell arrives. Almost a sweet smokiness like my grandfathers old chewing tobacco.
The smell from the steeping pots is just amazing. It reminds me of raw leather and grass.
This tea lasted a good eight infusions before it started to become light, but still bold.

The first infusion was a very strong bitter brew. It tasted as if I had bitten into a belt, at first. As it sits in your mouth however a sweetness, that was soon to appear in bold new ways, appears.

Second-Forth infusions lead to a sweet almost pine, but not quite, sweetness appearing and the bitter backed off becoming more of an aftertaste really. The leathery taste was still present but transforming into something more like a woodiness.
Fifth-Seventh, these infusions lead to even more, yet subtle changes. The sweetness came out even more and the woodiness ended up being a main portion of this flavor profile.

The eighth and last infusion was still a very bold woody flavor and enjoyable.

Thanks Bret for this wonderful tea!