[Spring 2019 harvest]
This is one of the most interesting of the Yunnan green teas. Pure Bud Silver Strands has a dry aroma of apple, florals, and a butter-fried carrot. Wet leaves then smell of freshly cut grass, cooked vegetables, and cinnamon.
The taste is quite complex so my note will only scratch the surface of the flavours present. First infusion is herbaceous, metallic and alcohol-like (think gin). Later, it becomes more savoury with a tart finish and I get notes such as fennel and straw. The aftertaste then displays a tangy profile with flavours of sugarcane, malt, butter, and plant stems. It is slightly drying, but the astringency never becomes overwhelming.
I also really like the velvety, bubbly, and mouth-watering texture, as well as the relaxing cha qi. It’s a truly great green tea in all respects.
Flavors: Alcohol, Apple, Butter, Carrot, Cinnamon, Cut Grass, Drying, Fennel, Floral, Herbaceous, Malt, Metallic, Nutty, Plant Stems, Spicy, Straw, Sugarcane, Tangy, Tart, Umami, Vegetables
YS has a great variety of green teas! I never liked a lot of green tea until trying some of theirs.