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This is not the new Huang Zhiang, it is a sample that came in foil, one of the verdant tea reward sample packages. The label reads, “High Mountain Dancong Huang Zhixiang”
& it is from at least a year ago. I had a few of these, & this is the last one, so it’s also a sipdown! I had planned to drink it during my upcoming Sipdown Extravaganza, but momentarily forgot, plus I didn’t want to open the newer Huang Zhi Xiang until this one was gone, so now it will be!

I used the entire 7G sample, in an Earthen Gaiwan (from Butiki), with 2 rinses, & 3 second steeps.
The dry aroma spoke of juicy fruits & orange blossoms, which is nice, since this translates to “Orange Blossom Fragrance”.
I warmed up the leaf & the aroma became richer, thicker.
The early steepings were mild & roasty, lightly sweet.
I was going to document all of the steepings, but to be honest, I was also teaching, so it didn’t happen…
Wood, incense, fruit, even a little chocolate at one point…
I’m in the later steeps, & there is a creamy quality, with an aftertaste that lingers forever, as if I ate a sweet red grapefruit. It isn’t just an after-taste, it’s an after sensation as well, where my mouth feels kind of puckery, like I ate citrus fruit. And this is the most open my sinuses have been all day, filled with an after-aroma.
I’d like to keep drinking, but Tony is fixing me dinner, so I’m done for now. Maybe later I’ll rinse the leaves to reheat them, & drink some more.

This is one of those teas that I initially didn’t care for. This is one of those teas that requires more tea & very short steeps, otherwise it quickly becomes bitter, in the way that the white pith of citrus fruits is bitter & tangy.