#chahu

Trees and Tea that are older than me

  Recently my woods have been logged and I took a walk to see the changing landscape. Many of the trees logged were in the 80-150 year-old range. There is some cedar, some hemlock, some pine and some maple all in the mix. There are still a generous amount of 100+ year-old trees and some I'm guessing in the 250+ range!

  I thought it only fitting to pair the post woods walk with an early 80's Mini Tuo Cha I received in a teatrade with Paul. This tea is most likely a good year to three years older than me (b.1987) so the walk and the cha xi were like a glimpse into the past. This tea smells like my woods. Birch, Cedar, Pine, snow, mud, clean winter air. The aromas all represent deep rooted history both literally and in the sense of how much has changed since it's birth.

  The first two infusions are quite ink like although rich and smooth and not tasting like an inky, thin infusion that young mini tuos can have. the third infusion was still dark but the initial richness mellowed a little allowing for more of the wooded flavors to shine through. 5-7 more infusions like the third made for a wonderful tasting/smelling/relaxing experience. During the 10th-12th infusions the color started to fade and some of the richness turned to a sweeter elixir like the last few drops of scotch or wine in your glass. The last brew (maybe the 14th?) was 4+ minute experiment to see if the tea would break. The aromas were all still there and the taste just a muted version of its former self. This tea was a nice treat.

  Don't underestimate what a mini tuo can taste like in 10-20 years, this one makes me wish we had gotten some of the '90's mini tuos when saw when were in Lijiang.