Tasting og China Gren Osmanthus
amllist
scented green tea with the prominent aroma of guihua,
also known as osmanthus.
Vendor - Tea Trader <http://www.teatrader.com/>
(This tea was provided as a sample for review)
Dry leaf - Black curled strips admixed with orange/brown
remains of the osmanthus flowers.
Wet leaf - Dark green, multi-sized cut leaves, non-uniform.
Water - Crystal Geyser natural alpine water bottled at
the source, California, Sierra Nevada Mts.
Steeping Method - 2 Guywans (one for steeping, pour liquor into
second) , chop with lid during steep to provide
mixing, lid never completely closed. Hot water
never poured directly on leaf, but on interior
side of pre-heated guywan.
Sample #1 - 3.0 g / 6 oz of water
Steep 1, of sample 1 - 2 1/2 min, 175 F (79 C).
Color - Yellow amber.
Aroma - Prominent, distinctive, floral,light sweet
Taste - Medium body, sweet, a haunting floral flavor
slight astringency
Aftertaste - Hint distinctive floral, refined..
Steep 2, of sample 1 - 3 min., 175 F (79 C).
Color - Medium amber.
Aroma - Prominent, distinctive, floral,light sweet,
Taste - Medium body, sweet haunting floral, slightly astringent,
refreshing..
Aftertaste - Lingering light floral..
Steep 3 of sample 1 - 165F (74 C), 3 min..
Color - Bright yellow amber.
Aroma - Strong, prominent, distinctive, floral,light sweet
Taste - Medium body, haunting floral, slightly astringent ,
refreshing.
Aftertaste - Very light floral
Sample #2 - 3.5 oz/ 6 oz of water, 165 F (74 C)
Steep 1, of sample 2 - 2 1/2 min,
Color - Medium amber.
Aroma - Strong, distinctive floral,
Taste - Flavorful, slight astringency, distinctive, intriguing
floral, refreshing.
Aftertaste - Hint of distinctive. light floral
Steep 2 of sample 2 - 3 min
Color - Dark amber.
Aroma - Wonderful, distinctive floral..
Taste - Flavorful, slight astringency, distinctive, intriguing
floral, refreshing.
Aftertaste - Hint of distinctive floral.
Steep 3 of sample 2.
Color - Medium amber
Aroma - Light, distinctive floral.
Taste - Flavorful, slight astringency, light distinctive,
intriguing floral, refreshing.
...
Conclusions:
1. At 175 F, 3.0 g / 6 oz of water, 3 min., the aroma
is prominent, distinctive, floral, and light sweet;
the taste is medium body, sweet haunting floral,
slightly astringent, refreshing. The aftertaste
is lingering light floral..
2. At 165 F, 3.5 g / 6 oz of water, 3 min.,the
aroma is wonderfully, distinctive floral; the
taste is flavorful, slight astringency, distinctive,
intriguing floral, refreshing. The aftertaste
exhibits a hint of distinctive floral.
3. Better steeps were obtained at the lower
temperature.
Alan M. Liebschutz