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