ringing in the new year

I couldn't wait around until 2008 for a celebratory sencha, so I heavily caffeinated myself in some experiments last night.

Man alive, that stuff is good!

But this morning I'm kicking off the new year with jasmine #12. Neat stuff, partly due to the jasmine scent, but also just in the physical shape of the tea.

It consists of these tight little "pearls" (nuggets, balls, or whatever term does it for you) of 2 leaves & an unopened bud.

I've had a lot of jasmine teas that just didn't live up to the name, most of which have been found truly lacking. But this one stands right up to the task.

It's mellow and fragrant, but not weak. And nothing artficial or "chemical" stands out in this brew. I give it high marks.

Edit....

My next follow-up tea today is dragonwell. It's got a stand-on-its-own flavor about it that I like so far.

Some reviewers have noted a grassy quality to it, but I haven't picked up on that aspect yet.

The "pucker" is what hit me first, but then follows a sip that glides along the tongue like the brush of a silk sheet along a cheek.

My 3rd infusion of dragonwell remains enjoyable. It's less intense than the first sip, but not in an unpleasant way.