Autumnal Tints

Fall is upon us. The foliage hints at its future brilliance, which will peak in a month or two. The apples growing in the front yard have begun to blush ever so slightly, making all passersby stop for a second longer to appreciate the contrast to the voluminous dark and light greens of the leaves and branches.

Henry David Thoreau, from whom I borrow this title, was an accomplished arborist though not remembered for it. On the color red he wrote, “It is the color of colors…. [it] speaks to our blood. It asks a bright sun on it to make it show to best advantage, and it must be seen at this season [autumn] of the year.”

With such a view in sight, we sit down to tea.

An autumn tea from famed Yiwu - aged in Taiwan for six years. There is a light smokiness, and notes of almost burnt sugar, which will continue to mellow into a nice caramel. The after taste has strong chocolatey flavors. It has a rich, velvety texture attesting to its wild arbor origin. Great body and depth complemented by a visually appealing sunburned orange liquor.

Due to the tight pressing, it takes over a minute and a half to awaken the leaves and buds. First infusion of a minute, further loosens the leaves and buds. Five to twenty second infusions thereafter depending on your preference for strong teas. At the longer side of that spectrum, you’ll get some bitterness on the palate along with an intensified floral quality, but that bitterness passes quickly without settling on the back of your tongue. This will dissipate as it ages further.

No need to be averse to any bitterness. Taste with an open palate and without immediate judgment.