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derk drank India Darjeeling Autumn Flush Gopaldhara Red Thunder Gold Black Tea by What-Cha

1644 tasting notes

Loved the 2017 harvest, so some time ago I bought a 50g bag of the 2018. It took me a while to open it, but once I did, it was gone in a flash. I western steeped pretty much all of the bag besides the last 5g today, which I prepared gongfu just to see how the tea would respond, which was surprisingly well!

Comparing the 2017 harvest to 2018, most of the notes found before were still there in complexity . This time around it seemed autumn leaf, wood, malt and tangy citrus dominant with a bit more (enjoyable) bitterness and a heftier tannic bite. I didn’t pick up on cocoa nor muscatel with this harvest but I did notice maybe some burnt sugar as well as persimmon, like in those highly oxidized Taiwanese red oolong. Dynamic mid- and background notes that seemed to be in constant flux on my tongue.

My black teas are getting dangerously low again; I hope the 2019 harvest is around when I get the itch to fill my black tea fix from What-Cha.

Flavors: Almond, Autumn Leaf Pile, Bitter, Brown Toast, Burnt Sugar, Cherry, Citrusy, Fruity, Herbs, Lemon Zest, Malt, Orange Blossom, Peach, Raisins, Rose, Spices, Tangy, Tannic, Wood

Preparation

205 °F / 96 °C 5 g 3 OZ / 100 ML

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2 comments

Togo
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What-Cha has 20% off Darjeelings now btw

derk
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Thanks! I’m going to be wiser with my money this time since my disposable income is low at the moment. Cat Cave black tea is 30% off and more budget friendly.

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Comments

Togo
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What-Cha has 20% off Darjeelings now btw

derk
Delete

Thanks! I’m going to be wiser with my money this time since my disposable income is low at the moment. Cat Cave black tea is 30% off and more budget friendly.

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Bio

This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. Yet I persist.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, and Nepal. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possesses off flavor/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s puerh, I likely think it needs more age.

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