This tea comes from Fenghuang Ancient City in Hunan province, which is not at all known for their green teas. When I was travelling in Hunan, I was surprised to find green tea as well as this white tea I wrote about, and I could not resist but buy some to try them out.
This was an autumn tea, and dry leaves had a vegetal aroma. The pale-yellow liquor had a vegetal and woody fragrance, and the taste was mellow with surprising umami notes.
Xiangxi is the name of the area where Fenghuang is, and it is a multi-ethnic place, in which Tujia and Miao ethnic minorities account for 80% of the population. This tea has been processed Xiangxi people in the Wuling mountains of Hunan.
Actually, I like green teas that are fresh and taste like green tea (do you know what I mean). And this tea had an excellent qi on me. Maybe it will never be a hit, but I am happy to have discovered its delicate aromas and taste.
Tea Profile:
Type: Green
Origin: Xiangxi, Hunan
Harvest time: Autumn 2020
Leaf colour: Tones of vivid green and brown with some visible fuzz
Liquor colour: Pale yellow
Tea aroma: Vegetal and woody
Tea taste: Mellow with a good balance of delicate vegetal, woody, and umami notes
Steeping/brewing: Place 4 g of this tea in a teapot or gaiwan and add about 100-120 ml water at around 100°C. Rinse after 5 sec. Steep for 15 seconds for the second time and increase the consecutive steeping time by 10 seconds each time. You can steep this tea several times.
Shelf life: Up to 2 years.