I apologise in advance if this post appears twice - it didnt show up on the
list the first time I sent it...

Had the opportunity to try a sample of Yiwu Mao Cha recently. Interesting
experience.

Used about 5gms in a heated 75ml gaiwan. Washed for about 10secs, rested for
a couple mins. Water just under the full boil - cooled for minute.

Wow - fish was the first thing that came to mind to both of us. Overwhelming
fishy aroma. Very light brownish pea green liquor.

First steep, 10 secs, wasn't too sure how long to brew this so started off
short. Aroma now less fishy. Initial taste was very sweet for a few
seconds then softened out. I also noted a spicy note on the tip of the
tounge.

Second steep 15secs - fishy aroma all but gone now replaced by pleasant soft
grassy/wet hay aroma. Taste again sweet to start out then a hint of tannin
bitterness - which I found enjoyable.

3rd, 25 secs. Taste similar to #2 but more pronounced - spicy has gone now.
Mouth felt very refreshed.

Inspection of the wet leaf revealed a lot of stalk and a mixture of large
broken and small intact leaf - all very green as one would expect.

Was this experience typical of this type of tea?

This was a pleasant digression from my world of pu'er and roasted oolongs.
It's easy to sit in one's comfort zone but this tea has shown me what I'd
imagine most of you already know, that one needs to take a good look "on top
of one's box" now and again.

Cheers
Mal
Oz

Mal from Oz wrote:
I apologise in advance if this post appears twice - it didnt show up on the
list the first time I sent it...

Had the opportunity to try a sample of Yiwu Mao Cha recently. Interesting
experience.

Used about 5gms in a heated 75ml gaiwan. Washed for about 10secs, rested for
a couple mins. Water just under the full boil - cooled for minute.

Wow - fish was the first thing that came to mind to both of us. Overwhelming
fishy aroma. Very light brownish pea green liquor.

First steep, 10 secs, wasn't too sure how long to brew this so started off
short. Aroma now less fishy. Initial taste was very sweet for a few
seconds then softened out. I also noted a spicy note on the tip of the
tounge.

Second steep 15secs - fishy aroma all but gone now replaced by pleasant soft
grassy/wet hay aroma. Taste again sweet to start out then a hint of tannin
bitterness - which I found enjoyable.

3rd, 25 secs. Taste similar to #2 but more pronounced - spicy has gone now.
Mouth felt very refreshed.

Inspection of the wet leaf revealed a lot of stalk and a mixture of large
broken and small intact leaf - all very green as one would expect.

Was this experience typical of this type of tea?

This was a pleasant digression from my world of pu'er and roasted oolongs.
It's easy to sit in one's comfort zone but this tea has shown me what I'd
imagine most of you already know, that one needs to take a good look "on top
of one's box" now and again.

Cheers
Mal
Oz

I hope you didn't just drink 3 infusions of it??

Interesting you notice it as a fishy aroma... I wonder if it got
contaminated on the way?

MarshalN
http://www.xanga.com/MarshalN

no, got 5 from it Marshall. I doubt that it was contaminated - more likely
I brewed it with water that was far too hot. With the benefit of hindsight,
the aroma of the tea whilst in the bag did remind me of a green tea. I
should have taken this as a hint to brew it as such.

Cheers
Mal
Oz

"MarshalN" wrote in message
ps.com...

Mal from Oz wrote:
I apologise in advance if this post appears twice - it didnt show up on
the
list the first time I sent it...

Had the opportunity to try a sample of Yiwu Mao Cha recently.
Interesting
experience.

Used about 5gms in a heated 75ml gaiwan. Washed for about 10secs, rested
for
a couple mins. Water just under the full boil - cooled for minute.

Wow - fish was the first thing that came to mind to both of us.
Overwhelming
fishy aroma. Very light brownish pea green liquor.

First steep, 10 secs, wasn't too sure how long to brew this so started
off
short. Aroma now less fishy. Initial taste was very sweet for a few
seconds then softened out. I also noted a spicy note on the tip of the
tounge.

Second steep 15secs - fishy aroma all but gone now replaced by pleasant
soft
grassy/wet hay aroma. Taste again sweet to start out then a hint of
tannin
bitterness - which I found enjoyable.

3rd, 25 secs. Taste similar to #2 but more pronounced - spicy has gone
now.
Mouth felt very refreshed.

Inspection of the wet leaf revealed a lot of stalk and a mixture of large
broken and small intact leaf - all very green as one would expect.

Was this experience typical of this type of tea?

This was a pleasant digression from my world of pu'er and roasted
oolongs.
It's easy to sit in one's comfort zone but this tea has shown me what I'd
imagine most of you already know, that one needs to take a good look "on
top
of one's box" now and again.

Cheers
Mal
Oz

I hope you didn't just drink 3 infusions of it??

Interesting you notice it as a fishy aroma... I wonder if it got
contaminated on the way?

MarshalN
http://www.xanga.com/MarshalN