A blend of 8 different teas for a 1990s international political summit. Intriguing. I prepared it with 300 ml of 212 degree water: used 3 grams of leaves and let it steep for 3 minutes.
The dry leaves looked not that exciting for a mix of 8 teas: it was mostly medium-sized black tea leaves with some small broken pieces of greens and an occasional white needle. They also had NO aroma, which was predictable for (most? all?) Harney and Sons teas but still rather disappointing.
The brewed teas presented a rather unusual tea profile: a brief splash of Keemun/Fujian, quickly replaced by bitterness and lingering sourness. The dominant notes are of unripe berries, red currant, grass and floral. The overall effect is bracing and energy-giving. This tea was less complex than I had expected and the flavors did not really blend that well, however, this bitterness/sourness was intriguing. It is quite possible that this tea may grow on you after trying it several times. It reminded me a young exuberant and hot-headed sheng, with its imperfections tempered by addition of mellow and wise teas.
Flavors: Bitter, Floral, Grass, Sour
