Tag: #YaShiXiang

C. sinensis var. yashixiang; Chaozhou, Phoenix Mountain, Guangdong, 600m-1200m; Autumn, 2020, young leaf, semi-oxidized oolong. #TodaysTea, #今天的茶, #JīnTiāndeChá, #Tea, #茶, #Chá.

The dry leaves are light brown to black coloured, twisted whole leaves with a mildly sharp, pungent aroma, suggestive of biscuit, raw milk, raisons, and dates. The wet leaves are green with a yellowish-brown tinge and have a spicy, milky aroma, suggestive of white pepper, pimento, and mac.

2.5g of dry leaves were infused in 100ml of water for 20-30sec.@90-5deg. C producing a brewed tea liquor that is a pale yellow- green colour, with a faint spicy, floral aroma. In the mouth it is moderately thick, tongue tingling, mouthwatering, and light, with a clean finish on the palate. The taste suggests honey, sweet spices, and is mildly biscuity.

This tea sample was provided by Jiyunxiang Tea Co.

C. sinensis var. yashixiang; Lingtou, Fubin, Raoping; Chaozhou, Guangdong, 1400m; Spring, 2017, leaves only, no buds (xiao cai mian, small opening), dancong, nongxiang roast, oolong; #TodaysTea, #今天的茶, #JīnTiāndeChá, #Tea, #茶, #Chá.

Large brown to black twisted leaves with the occasional green tint, and a scantily pungent, aromatic aroma with stone fruit, black date, and raisin notes plus taunting hints of wood smoke. The wet leaves partially open to reveal browny-green leaves with a fragrant, aromatic, spicy aroma, with notes of long pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, and dried apricot.

3g of dry leaves were infused in 150ml of water for 20-30sec.@90-95deg. C producing a brewed tea liquor that was an orange colour, with an elusive, fruity, spicy aroma, a touch of jasmine, and late elusive hints of coal tar. In the mouth it is buttery, creamy, peppery, mildly astringent, and stimulating, while the taste is delicate, sweet, with hints of xmas biscuit, and prickly ash.

C. sinensis var. yashixiang; Pingkengtou, Fenghuang, Chaozhou, Guangdong, 950m; Spring, 2021, leaves only, hand picked and processed; #TodaysTea, #今天的茶, #JīnTiāndeChá , #Tea, #茶, #Chá.

The dry leaves are dark brown, long, and twisted.. They have a dry biscuit, honey suckle, mildly spicy and aromatic aroma.
The wet leaves are do not easily open up and have a dull, greenish colour. Their aroma suggests nutmeg, black pepper, ginger, nd cinnamon.

3.5g of dry leaves were infused in 150ml of water from 10-50sec.@90-100deg. C giving a brewed tea liquor that is brassy yellow in colour, with a delightful, aromatic honey scent. In the mouth it is creamy, luscious, tingling, sweet, and has a late, latent minerality whilst it tastes spicy, sweet, almost milky, with a stimulating fresh finish, and lingering retronasal honey biscuit aroma.

Autumn, 2020; var. yashixiang; Chaozhou, Phoenix Mountain, Guangdong; young leaf, semi-oxidized oolong; 600m-1200m;
#TodaysTea, #今天的茶, #JīnTiāndeChá.
Infusion: 4g in 150ml for 30-50sec.@90deg. C

Dry Leaf Aroma: mildly sharp, pungent, biscuit, raw milk, reasons, dates;
Wet Leaf Aroma: spicy, milky, white pepper, pimento, mace;
Liquor: pale yellow- green colour, with faint spicy, floral aroma
Mouthfeel: moderately thick, tongue tingling, mouthwatering, light clean finish on the palate;
Taste: honey, sweet spices, and mildly biscuity;

Opinion: This is the third Yashi Xiang I’ve tasted and all of them are incredibly different. This one has a light, soft character with milky aroma, and honey and sweet spice dominating the taste.

*** Tea provided by Jiyunxiang Tea Co.

Spring, 2021; var. yashixiang; Pingkengtou, Fenghuang, Chaozhou, Guangdong; hand picked and processed, 950m; #TodaysTea, #今天的茶, #JīnTiāndeChá.
Infusion: 3.4g in 150ml for 50sec.@95deg. C

Dry Leaf Aroma: dry biscuit, honey suckle, mildly spicy and aromatic;
Wet Leaf Aroma: nutmeg, black pepper, ginger;
Liquor: brassy yellow with an aromatic honey scent;
Mouthfeel: creamy, luscious, tingling, sweet, and late, latent minerality;
Taste: spicy, sweet, almost milky, with a stimulating fresh finish, and lingering retronasal honey biscuit aroma;

Opinion: This Tea genuinely benefits from a longer Brew time to bring out its flavors and aromas. All scent is lost when brewer for less than 40-50seconds. Traditionally called “Duck Shit Tea,” the new formalized designation is “Honeysuckle Fragrance,” I have long enjoyed this tea type, and today’s tea is very good, elegant, and lingers long on the palate.

***Tea supplied by my friend, Huang Jiliu of Yinhai Tea Industry.