I like this one and the “Fruit” Zhangping for very different reasons. I’m also having a little bit of a problem because What-Cha released a new floral variety that apparently has a fruity orange zest thing going on. I gotta stop doing orders prematurely.
Nevertheless, this is a tea I’m pretty satisfied with because it hits the right notes that a lot of Li Shans and Ali Shans do, though it was closer to a Li Shan and some of the florals of a Bao Zhong. It’s heady overall, hitting lilac, hyacinth, orchid, gardenia, and a few others with a bit of a sweet character kind. Orchid and hyacinth are the strongest. There was barely any bitterness and astringency in its smooth texture as Alistair describes, and the texture kept on giving with the brews even if I broke off a fourth of the cake.
It really does compare to a high end Taiwan oolong especially if you give the leaves room to breathe in short gong fu steeps. A part of that comes from the plants ancestry from the Fujian province, or so I’ve read. Tea experts, please correct me if I’m wrong so I can learn. I tended between 15 and 30 seconds, and both work equally. Alistair did say this had some potential for grandpa, so I will try it that way eventually.
I highly recommend this tea and would personally rate it at a 90 or above, maybe higher. I do wish there was a bit of an edge, and since citrus is basically what I prefer in some form for most of my tea’s notes, I am getting a little crazy about the other floral. However, if I decide that I can’t buy any more high mountain oolong, this will be a more than suitable replacement for the coming months. Like I say in most of my reviews, I recommend at least a try. Some might find this too floral edging towards it’s leafy character, some might like it that way and find some zen sippin’ on. Now to figure out how to rearrange my budget.
