Am I one of the first to try the NEW Zen Phoenix Pearls? Well, here’s a tasting note. Neither of the Zen pearls have really been the traditional “pearls”, the leaves rolled into half inch size spheres. Both versions of Zen’s pearls seem to me more like what the tea world calls snails. The old version had more gold and were fuzzier. The new version has a slicker sheen and darker color, like some Fujian teas I have seen (Laoshan). The photo on the site needs to be updated. After tasting, I love them both and wish Zen would sell both! The flavor here is less dark chocolate like the older pearls and more like the molasses caramel that a Fujian tea would have, while having a much deeper flavor than I usually taste with Fujian leaves (the site still says Yunnan but I’m not sure if they have to update the info for this tea.) There is also something crisper and tangier in the flavor. Unique from most black teas, I’d say. It’s delicious! I will miss the old Phoenix Pearls though, as those were a different sort of delicious. Happy to have these snails around though!
Steep #1 // 1 1/2 teaspoons for a full mug// 10 minutes after boiling // 3 minute steep
Steep #2 // just boiled // 4 minute steep
Edited to add: After new info from Zen, the new Phoenix Pearls is actually from Hunan and not Yunnan or Fujian (my guess.) I don’t think I’ve tried Hunan teas that I’m aware of!
