Feng Qing "Xiang Gui" Dian Hong Black Tea * Spring 2016

Golden flat needles, of a lighter shade.
Aroma of hay, earth, and wood.
Taste of Malt, earth, wood, Bamboo…
This tea has a smooth mouth, a fulfilling feeling about it, and a satisfying earthy depth, almost like chocolate or coffee, almost like a shu puerh, although that may because I went a little heavy on the leaf, since this is a sipdown.
For me, this is a more savory Dian Hong, not as sweet as some, a little more earthy and Manly, but perfect for this morning, when I’m prepping to go out to play in my garden.
Ensemble: Bass, cello, viola, bass clarinet, clarinet, Bassoon, English Horn, Bamboo flute, wind chime, wood block.

This tea has the nicest appearance of about any tea I have ever seen. It consists of slightly flattened, closed to barely-opened buds that are all covered in shiny golden hairs. The smell of the dried leaves is fresh and has that typically dianhong-ish aromatic sweetness that reminds of sugarcane or even caramel. That same sweetness is present in the smell of the wet leaves.

The cup is very nicely golden-colored, with a smooth and balanced taste. The aforementioned sweetness is somewhat less bold and prominent than in some other dianhongs I have had, giving a somewhat subtler feel to this tea. Alongside of the sweetness there is some fruitiness, and I also taste something damp-foresty or mushroomy in there (not sure if I like that). The finish is slightly peppery and mineral. The sip is very smooth and has almost no (and certainly no unpleasant) astringency.

I would agree with Allan there is a chocolate, malty & fruit note. Perhaps I should try with a touch of sugar (gasp!) as sometimes the malt & chocolate is too much for me with red tea, its isnt my favourite profile.

Either way, this is a really good one. So nice & fresh smelling, soft leaf & a really good cup – The taste reminds me of maltesers or when milk chocolate goes a bit dry & goes whiter in colour.

I really need a red tea lover to come into my life at this point, ive got quite a collection needs drinking :)

This tea, which I believe is all buds, is pretty good. It’s got a malty note, a chocolaty note and a fruity note. Because I added a small amount of sugar the fruity note seems strongest. Tastes like ripe plums.

I brewed this tea twice in a 16oz Teavana Glass Perfect Tea Maker/Gravity Steeper with 3 tsp leaf and 200 degree water for 3 and 4 minutes. I put the second steeping into a thermos for work.