Since I started getting into loose leaf, I’ve wanted to try all ten of China’s famous teas. After this one, I should only have two more to go (Du Yun Mao Jian and Jun Shan Yin Zhen), although I’d like to revisit a few more. I steeped about 3.5 g of leaf in a 120 ml porcelain teapot at 185F for 20, 40, 60, 90, 120, and 240 seconds.
This Mao Jian is a bit more assertive than other greens I’ve tried, with notes of snow peas, kale, bok choy, and other bitter greens on the first steep. In subsequent steeps, I get a stronger vegetal and umami flavour and a hint of smokiness. The liquor is somewhat astringent and has an oily mouthfeel on the later steeps, combined with a long, vegetal aftertaste. The two last steeps are more astringent than the others, but are still enjoyable.
This was a pleasant green tea that I imagine would be very refreshing cold brewed. It would be fun to compare it with its Du Yun counterpart.
Flavors: Astringent, Bok Choy, Kale, Peas, Smoke, Umami, Vegetal
