Red Water Formosa Oolong

From J-Tea USD $14 for 1 oz.


This was a nicely make oolong.  It has just a touch of the charcoal roasted taste, but is not overpowering as some tend to be.  The body is fairly robust when compared to the aromas and made a complimentary contrast to them. I was getting some floral and citrus-like aromas some hints of lemon, but not in a bad way at all, but the smells were definetly on the lighter side.  The liquor definitely has a slight red rusty sunset color.

Sencha Fuka-midori

From Dens Tea USD $3 for 10g, and other samplers.

I got a taste for some green tea since I'm getting a little bored with only puerh, oolongs, and black teas.  I do not have much experience with Sencha-like-Japanese-ish greens, the most exposure I had was from the Teachat OTTI for Sencha not too long ago that was able to get in on.  This was a solid sencha that I could have gone for a touch more of the "grassy" aroma and taste.  I agree with the description on the page for this one.  I definitely made it more potent than recommended using all 10 g in a roughly 130 mL gaiwan, and it was noticeable.  I was using 175-180°C water and quick infusions, but not quick enough to make it a little less overpowering; oh well, live and learn.  In the proper ration this would be a solid everyday sencha, but lacking the grassy notes I enjoy.  The liquor was a bit cloudy as well.

2009 Yunnan Sourcing "Ai Lao Jue Se" Raw Pu-erh tea

From Yunnan Sourcing USD $4.50 for 25g sample, 357 g also available for $30

This was a different kind of raw in that it had characteristics that remind me of green tea, notably the grassy sencha like flavors and aromas.  There was nothing really bad about this, but there was nothing exceptional.  A middle of the road tea that I think would be exceptional if it had a touch of camphor.