For 2019 May White2Tea club we have a 50 gram mini cake of “The Thing Still Is”. These mini cakes are my favorite and I am happy chicken funeral forest tea has made a return! If you are not familiar with this tea, you will need to read my review about 2018 “The Thing Is”, including the video playlist first.
Leaf and Steeping Method
2019 The Thing Still Is’ dry leaf has a jammy and vegetal scent to it.
As usual, I used 1 gram of leaf per 15ml of vessel size, gongfu steeped in boiling water. I used a tiny 60ml gaiwan so I only need to pinch 4grams off, so I have more material to compare after a year or two.
Tasting of 2019 May White2Tea Club – 2019 The Thing Still Is Puer mini cake
First, Second, Third, and Fourth Infusion? I drank the rinse and it was sweet and floral. The actual first infusion was a touch stronger with tulip floral and a thick cottony texture. The aftertaste is more floral, and it strangely sticks to my molars. Right on the second infusion, I can feel the tea massaging my head and I forgot to take my usual photos for my review. I then poured the third infusion and started drinking it as I just remembered I wanted to take photos. I think it got more honey notes, but I also immediately lost track of how many infusions I’ve done and where I am for that matter.
Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Infusion? 2019 The Thing Still Is is astringent here, leaving a dry glass streaky feeling in my cheeks. The flavor is lightly honey floral with a hint of fresh vegetal with a long floral aftertaste.
I got into a rabbit hole of watching the clicking moving bush in front of my window and I thought this tea is making me lose my mind. Turns out it is a Dark-eyed Junco bird nest having a whole lot of action.
Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Infusion? 2019 The Thing Still Is has gotten super bitter here, tasting of stewed spinach and spearmint.
After sitting awhile distracted, I get some peachy aftertaste. Each of these steepings gets more bitter but still pumping out the flavor. However, the last 2 infusions stopped being bitter and were light floral and heavily dry.
Comments
I know they don’t seem like value at all, but the White2Tea club months with a 50 gram cake have some of the best quality teas. 2019 The Thing Still Is mini cake is heavy on the energy and thick texture, with a light floral note. It is nice to be able to get hands-on a little cake of high-quality tea, with enough amount to play with.
