I got a sample of this tea from iwii yesterday, so I tried it today. I’ve been curious about this tea for a little while now.
I’m not entirely sure this is actually from the Mengyang Guoyan factory. On the wrapper it says “Xiangshu Tea Enterprise” and it says it’s commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Xishuang Banna Mengyang factory, and also the establishment of the Xiangshu Tea Enterprise. No mention of Guoyan anywhere, which makes me think this might not be linked to the Mengyang Guoyan we’ve been hearing about recently.
But it doesn’t really matter.
The tea is buddy. Quite a few tips in the leaves, and not many big ones. The colour of the dry leaves are more or less consistent with the picture shown on ebay — maybe a touch greener
The tea brews a golden colour, slightly reddish
It’s quite smooth, thanks to the tips. Even at its roughest, around infusion 4-5, the tea is still acceptably smooth. The Menghai characteristics of the tea shows quite prominently. It has that bass note that is quite characteristic of the area, and that finish is quite typical as well. Iwii thought it’s a bit bland, but I like it. It’s not something to jump up and down in joy about… but it’s not too bad either.
The tea’s been pretty dry stored, but I’m sure it can use a few more years before drinking again.
The leaves… as you can see, are mostly buds
With some bigger leaves mixed in. I need to try this tea again, but first impressions are not too bad.
1 response so far ↓
iwii // September 7, 2007 at 2:48 pm |
> It’s not something to jump up and down in joy
> about… but it’s not too bad either.
Yeah that was my impression too. It is an ok and very standard Menghai, but it I was a bit disappointed, because I was expecting a bit more character, something that would have set it apart of any other average Menghai cake.
Ah folly of youth…