derk Send Message

199 Followers / 153 Following

derk drank Old Tree Mei Zhan 老枞梅占 by Old Ways Tea

1637 tasting notes

2017 harvest

The aroma wafts from the gaiwan in a cloud of mellow fruit and spice. The overall taste is herbal, fruity, wet rock- and black tea-like. Notes of chamomile, plum, red apple, boiled mint, suede, and smooth baked cinnamon. Plenty of tongue tingle, some mintiness opens the chest and clears the sinuses. Sweet, aromatic aftertaste has notes of redfruity dark chocolate, sparkling honey and orchid. The way the tea drank stood out the most to me; it left my mouth quickly and left it feeling cleansed.

Uncustomarily, I used the entire packet for today’s session. Perhaps it’s a bit stronger than I prefer but it’s a pleasant tea. Not sure I would purchase again, but I do recommend it.

Flavors: Alkaline, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Dark Chocolate, Floral, Herbal, Honey, Huckleberry, Leather, Mineral, Mint, Orchid, Plum, Red Apple, Red Fruits, Roasty, Tea, Vanilla, Wet Earth, Wet Rocks

I Like This

11 likes

0 comments

People who liked this

Profile

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.

bicycle bicycle bicycle