Its a lot better than ripe, any Liu Bao is better than ripe (most things are).
Chapo & Chapo Mid 2021 from W2T Liu Bao Heicha. Really crunky shit fungal compacted to near pointlessness. Has urotium cristatum, some of which i have attempted to harvest and propogate.
3.75/5 stars
Prosbloom is a mild smooth ripe, has some stank to it though its been broken up and stored in a jar for a few weeks. There is a mild vanila taste deep in there, the usual forest mulch, a very mild bitterness along with a very light sourness. Camphornaught is much like the above but smoother, milder, less variation, with a broader forest floor base note. they both stay pretty similar over multiple steeps, and dont get crazy or overbearing.
A Flash and then the Quiet vol 2 is a big raw bitter blast. Short steeps work, but a bigger brew works really well to get more out of it and not be punished by over steeping. Its actually quite nice if kept in control. A few grams in 300ml, steeped for 10secs or so, decanted off into a thermos for pouring.
Mild broad bitterness that transforms into a lot of coolness and almost menthol. Green grass, a slight umami of wheat or barley tea. Chamomile and bright vegetal aroma. Eventually some returning sweetness. Very Good.
2005 Xinhai “Lao Ban Zhang” ripe, is average, feels a bit worn out, I have it stored to hopefully awaken it a bit. 25 years has most likely dulled this generally, far too old for a ripe IMO.
2010 Chunhai “Jin Ya” ripe, is very small buds, this is still interesting with hints of rooibos, a nice red colour, mild taste.
2023 Red Loon ripe, has a nice forest floor aroma, second steep (10 seconds) is a lot darker colour, muted tannins, richer mulchy broth. 3rd (10sec) everything amps up a little bit, but stays relatively the same. Steep 4 and 5 are more like steep 2.
2024 Waffles ripe, really interesting aroma, especially when drank from a thermos (20g in maybe 300ml of hot water). Waffle/pancake and maple smells. The taste is an average ripe.
Pine Darts 2025 from W2T
Smoked pine needles and pine forest soil, smoke, smoked rubber? smoked leather? a kind of citrusy and green pine needle tartness happens. Interesting stuff. Very little if any bitterness. Very nice.
2024 Shixi from W2T
Very dense and compacted cake. Earthy, coffee grounds, wood, old hardwood, a mild rounded bitterness, a nice coolness lingers.
2018 Turtle Dove White Tea 7g mini – Free sample from W2T
Has an almost mugicha smell to it. Mild, smooth, soft but slight dry mouthfeel.
