2021 Lightly Oxidized Sun-Dried Black Tea, Loose Leaf

Aromatic Shai Hong — floral and fruity in both aroma and taste. It’s easy to drink, relaxing, and energizing. Especially good for unwinding and recharging after work or a workout.

Brewing: 4g / 100ml water, 90 degrees Celsius, starting with 20 seconds.

The hot leaves start with a fruity and honey aroma, and through the infusions, there is an interplay between the black tea character (tannins, cocoa nibs, slightly smoky and a hint of warming spices) and some delicate floral notes (roses, carnations). Also, I've noticed a "buttery" feature that's I have also encountered in other teas coming from older tea trees.

Lightly oxidized, juicy and aromatic hong cha. It's a nice alternative to classic black teas and will appeal to those who like oolongs and sheng. Well worth the money

Brief steeps (5-10 seconds) in 90 Celsius water.
Liquor is almost-clear and dark golden caramel in color, similar to whisky.
Taste is bold with a mellow woody bitterness that is almost cacao-like.
There is also a slight tartness on the palate with a sweet after-taste that seems somewhat earthy in note.
Mouthfeel is slightly dry all around, with just the slightest astringency.
Wet leaves are of dark copper-brown in color, giving off a sweet smell of brown sugar and burnt ripen fruit.
The strength of flavor starts to mellow down by the 6th infusion, thus best to steep longer from here onwards.
As the sweetness lessens overtime, the tartness seems to be more present.
A longer (1 minute) steep gives a more pronounced tartness and/or astringency, more dryness felt all the way down the throat, and the aftertaste seems to be bolder.
I can't taste any floral or herbal or stone-fruit notes like the description mentioned, could be due to water difference.
Overall, it is a bold enough black tea that I think suitable to be made iced, as it reminds me of Assam black tea.

Comment from TEASIDE:
Yes, try getting soft water with a mineral content of no more than 10 ppm. Well, at least no more than 15 ppm.

I fall in love with Black Gu Shu Thai Cha. I always drink them when I work. They help me to be concentrated and simply be happy because they boost my spirit. I love them all. This tea is not exception.