June ITD Tasting: Yancha

[scruffmcgruff]

Post your notes here! Also, try to guess what type of yancha each is, from whom they were sourced (they both came from the same vendor), and what year each was produced.

Brewing Instructions:

For A, put about half the sample in a gaiwan. Use boiling water, start with short steeps (15s or so) and work your way up. For B, use the entire sample, boiling water, and flash infusions to start, working your way up to taste.

My Tasting Notes:

-Sample A
-Sample B

[Wesli]

First, I got it, and it smells like chocolate.

[Chip]

All tea smell like candy to Wes! Hmmm...opening the tin...smells like mocha java.

Yancha in Reading, PA!

Brent, you are cruel...not even a clue to the clueless here?

Harold Hughes...dude, are you related to Howard?

[Proinsias]

Not only tea samples but a rather nice tin too.

Cheers Scruff.

[Mary R]

Got the samples last night! Haven't had a chance to try them...but dang! The dark chocolate scent is incredible. I'm a fan already.

[joelbct]

Currently sipping Yancha "B."

Gets my seal of approval.

I have had my share of Oolong but I am in no way an expert and this is my first Wuyi.

Interesting, this is precisely the flavor I had in mind when I first heard the phrase "Rock Oolong." Delicious, multi-tonal tea, with yes a "rocky," mineral-ey taste...

I brewed more or less Western Style, 3 minutes, 200 degrees F, and not at Gong Fu concentration. But it came out wonderfully...

As for guessing the vendor, the only places I would know to look for Oolong are Teaspring, Sevencups, Dragon House, so unless its one of those I have no idea

Now I'm going to kick back and watch an episode of Rome on DVD with what's left of my Wuyi... life is good.

BTW, haha, "Chimary..." how about Marchip?

[Mary R]

Chimary? Marchip?

'Tis no Brangelina or Bennifer we be! Leave off your silly compounding, chatters!

(Says Mary, who really, really, really needs to lay off the Irish films.)

[brandon]

Chimary? Marchip?

'Tis no Brangelina or Bennifer we be! Leave off your silly compounding, chatters!

(Says Mary, who really, really, really needs to lay off the Irish films.)

Ya like dags?

[fencerdenoctum]

I like dags. I like caravans more though.

No tea yet, but I couldn't resist!

-Fence

[joelbct]

So I just made Yancha "A." It strikes me as a decent Oolong as well, but I prefer "B," which I think seems to possess a more refined overall quality and stands out from other Oolongs I have tasted in the past.

You will have to let me know "B's" source and appellation at some point.

Thank you for the tasting! Always nice to expand one's horizons...

[Proinsias]

Cheers for these offerings Scruff.

I've brewed both these teas in my little yixing pot for Wuyi, I branched out from just putting da hong pao in it a few months ago.

I had half the larger sample first and then the all of the smaller sample.

My preference definitely lies with the smaller sample A.

Sample B was not really to my liking. It was a little thin to my tastes although it did have nice wuyi aftertaste. I've had a few wuyi teas like this before and performance has been enhanced by jamming as much leaf as possible into the brewing vessel and proceeding as normal. I've still got half the bag left and I think I'll attempt this in my mini gaiwan which is a little smaller than my pot. I'll also increase the time of the first few infusions, even moreso than Scruff's added suggestions.
The leaf looks good, not too green which is good in wuyi. It also smells good, I'm just not to keen on the finished product.

Sample A was a delight to drink. I look for old wood from a decent wuyi and this felt like I was eating a mahogany desk on which the Silmarillion was written. I've not had wuyi this good in a long time. Endurance was great but this is really a moot point when it tastes this good.

As far as guesses go I'll have a bash and stick my neck out.

Sample A I reckon is da hong pao. For age I'll say 2005/2006.

Sample B I have no idea but I'll guess very recent shui xian.

As for source, I'll go with TeaSpring - I've not checked to see if they offer these teas for these years.

Thanks Scruff.

[Salsero]

Well, Sample B was easy: Hot Chocolate! Ymm.

[scruffmcgruff]

I love reading all your impressions. Keep 'em coming!

Hopefully, the rest of you should get your teas tomorrow.

[olivierco]

I got it today. Thanks a lot.
I will drink them wednesday I guess.

[Victoria]

Got it thanks! The testing will begin soon!