Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Community Tea-Tasting Event

Community Tea-Tasting Event, Sponsored by: TeaCuppa
Originally I intended to complete this review in China, but the snail mail express changed that plan. Thanks to my friends for their logistical support.
Side-Bar: I much enjoy the plethora of eloquent prose that accompanies most reviews.
Please forgive, as I opt for a workman like approach to reporting.
Objective:
Identify 6 sample teas as to type and factory of origin & provide tasting notes on each sample.

SHUPU TEAS
TEA ‘A’ (Luxi Tea Co. Organic 8821) (never heard of this place)
Aroma: Very light smell, nothing overly appealing
Taste: Light taste, a little sour.
Liquor: Brown, but not a dark brown; thin and watery
Overall comments: Average tea quality

TEA ‘B’ (CNNP )
Aroma: Mid-strength (neither strong nor light); not bad – better than average.
Taste: Quite good, however, still young. Needs a few years until its taste is ideal.
Liquor: Dark brown / almost black; quite syrupy
Overall comments: A young tea – needs a few more years. However, quite a good quality tea.

TEA ‘C’ Menghai Tiandiren Factory
Aroma: Nice, mid-strength smell. Evident in a good quality shupu.
Taste: A little light, but nice and refreshing.
Liquor: Mid-brown colour, a little thin.
Overall comments: Good, yet still a very young tea. In 2 -3 years, the tea will be very good quality, even better than Tea ‘B’

SHUPU ORDER OF PREFERENCE:
1) B (7 out of 10)
2) C (6 out of 10) – but will exceed B within 2 – 3 years
3) A (4 out of 10)

SHENGPU
TEA ‘D’ (Simao Wild)
Aroma: Quite strong, not of A grade quality
Taste: Strong, astringent taste; a little bitter
Liquor: Very light gold colour, very watery
Overall comments: Not very good quality, not long lasting (can only use for a few servings)

TEA ‘E’ (Jiangcheng Wild)
Aroma: Older, wild and uncultivated smell
Taste: Not strong, young taste. A little dry and sweet.
Liquor: Gold / light brown colour, a little watery
Overall comments: Not long lasting, however, A-grade quality tea.

TEA ‘F’ (CNNP “ Big Blue Mark”)
Aroma: Normal, average smell (not light, not strong)
Taste: Quite strong and very bitter, longer lasting
Liquor: Darker gold / light brown colour, strong looking
Overall comments: Not good quality tea, comes from a younger tree

SHENGPU ORDER OF PREFERENCE:
1) E (8 out of 10)
2) D (5 out of 10)
3) F (5 out of 10)

1 comment:

Hobbes said...

You've just reminded me that I need to reveal which tea is which! Thanks again for the notes. There's nothing wrong with a workman style, it gets the job done.


Toodlepip,

Hobbes