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drank Tongmu High Mountain Jin Jun Mei 金骏眉 by Old Ways Tea
1642 tasting notes

2021 harvest

A complex and satisfying tea with strength in all facets. Sweet floral-grassy-pine and nutty-malty-grain aromas, fruity aftertaste and lingering retronasal action are pronounced. The body is at first silky, traveling around the mouth and down the throat with ease, where a gentle, warm, bark-like tannic quality stimulates and has me wanting to keep my mouth closed. Chest and sinuses open; energy is mellow and caffeine effects soothing rather than overstimulating. As the session progresses, the tea taste turns more toward citrus qualities and reveals a pithy bitterness. A poke through the wet leaf in the pot does show a picking of buds and 1 young leaf, 1 bud.

I’ve had another Jin Jun Mei from Old Ways Tea that captivated my attention more than this one which suffers from lack of longevity, producing only 4 truly worthwhile infusions gong fu. The leaf overall does require some attention to be paid during brewing.

At nearly $2.20/g for a 4.5g sample packet, it is a nice treat but I’m left wanting something more. Longevity, I guess, knowing what Tongmuguan teas are capable of, like OWT’s Jin Guazi. Maybe the lack of longevity is a result of using such a high bud ratio pick. Is a high demand and hyped tea like Jin Jun Mei worth the price? That’s for you and your personal spending limits to decide.

Flavors: Bark, Blueberry, Camphor, Cinnamon, Citrusy, Dill, Eggplant, Floral, Flowers, Grapefruit, Grass, Honey, Leather, Lemongrass, Malt, Molasses, Nutty, Orange, Orchid, Peach, Pine, Pumpkin, Savory, Silky, Sweet, Tangy, Wheat, White Chocolate

2 comments
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Daylon R Thomas
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If it weren’t so expensive, I’d get it. I love Tong mu teas because of how citrusy they can be.

derk
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Tongmu/Masu black teas are definitely among my favorites but I feel you on the price. Citrus is one of my weaknesses in tea and yeah, teas from that region can display those notes so beautifully <3

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Comments

Daylon R Thomas
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If it weren’t so expensive, I’d get it. I love Tong mu teas because of how citrusy they can be.

derk
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Tongmu/Masu black teas are definitely among my favorites but I feel you on the price. Citrus is one of my weaknesses in tea and yeah, teas from that region can display those notes so beautifully <3

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This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. Yet I persist.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, and Nepal. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possesses off flavor/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s puerh, I likely think it needs more age.

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Sonoma County, California, USA

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