We awaited this high-mountain oolong like an old friend after a long separation. It was precisely this masterful Tieguanyin that astonished us three years ago with its condition, palette, and opened up the segment of high-mountain farmer’s tea. This batch comes from private gardens in Anxi*, hand-picked, the tea has seen snow, made using the traditional Zhengwei technique — "pure taste," meaning without additional roasting.
Flavor profile: creamy icing, pollen, caramelized milk, meadowy, and spicy notes. No lilac or peas, as you find in standard Tieguanyin. Chinese describe the taste of such tea with the term Guanyin Yun or "Guanyin's melody" - a melodic interplay of aroma and taste. The key feature is the aftertaste, where you distinctly feel hui gan — a lingering sweetness in the throat that arises after a sip of tea. Teas with such a marker are a rare find. Even with a strong brew, there’s no bitterness; on the contrary, the taste becomes more mineral and sweet. It holds infusions exceptionally well, not afraid of boiling water. 5 grams per liter — amazing; for a gathering, you can brew 10 grams in a large gaiwan/teapot and enjoy the whole evening.
The state is meditative, smooth. Everything becomes beautiful in the moment; you feel like gazing at the clouds outside the window or simply relishing in inner tranquility. Packaging is 50 grams in vacuum-sealed bags to preserve the freshness of the leaves. If it hasn’t sold — I’ll happily drink it myself :)