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2016 Ethereal from Puerh.uk

2016 Ethereal

In a Sentence
Not much flavour, amazing texture, strong qi.
Wet Leaf Aroma
Stable, animal, musk, hunch of smoked, mushroom fermentation notes, later leathery,
Tasting Notes
First greeting is a silky astringency, which remains (but gets lower) during the session, full mouthfeel and texture, medicinal/metallic, also malty and a bit of herbal green backbone w. a vermouth bitter note, great pure feel, qi goes straight to the head, cooling sensation, the bitterness is followed by very light sweetness's, calming, this tea can take one many forms, herbal bitterness remains while the more aromatic flavours diminish even more in later steeps
What it feels like
punguent and pure, a tea that works well for summer
Details
Entry Date
15.01.2024
Country
China
Price EUR/50g
82
Properties
Qi (1-5) i The tea’s felt effect on body and mind.
uplifting, pure and noticeable from the first cup 5
Huí Gān i Returning sweetness after bitterness, perceived after swallowing.
some tannins, some sweetness, malt
Hóu Yùn i Throat resonance — the depth and length of the finish.
Smoothly rolling down, like water
Kōu Gǎn i Mouthfeel: texture, density, softness, or dryness.
Very nice silky, oily mouthfeel
Astringency
1
Bitter
3
Aroma
2.5
Sweet
2.5
Smooth
5
Complex
3.5
Qi: Calming i The tea’s felt effect on body and mind.
3
Qi: Intense i The tea’s felt effect on body and mind.
4
Qi: Depth i The tea’s felt effect on body and mind.
4
Journal

2025-05

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This time I switched from a Hongni pot to a Gaiwan (mid Session) —and was genuinely surprised. Suddenly, more delicate floral and fruity notes came through. While the flavor remains subtle, it clearly benefits from a glazed vessel. Even though the Hongni pot is already quite thin and less porous than Zhuni, the difference was remarkable. The herbal bitterness stepped back, making room for brighter, lighter tones and a gentle sweetness. - though some of it may be due to an increased softness of the later steeps as well.

This tea brings out a different character when brewed cooler.

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