Yunnan is one of my favorite black teas for all kinds of reasons.
There’s something aesthetically pleasing to me about the shape and color of the dry leaf. Some are blonder than others, some are curlier than others, but they’re all pretty interesting visually. This one’s leaves give me an overall impression of being medium “blonde” (some very light, golden leaves, some medium green, and some darker) and more wavy than curly. They have a malty smell that I associate with Yunnan and a tad of smoke.
The tea is a medium red-brown, more on the red side, and the aroma echos the smell of the leaves, but there’s a fruity smell that is added to the mix. I want to say cherry?That’s another reason I enjoy Yunnans. The aromas can be full of surprises.But of course, mostly, I like the taste. I find it to be generally smooth, without the bite that can get me in the throat in certain other blacks, like Assam, but complex with a fair amount of depth. The flavor in this one at 205F for 3.5 minutes is milder than I expected given the description of this at the Tea Table’s site as their strongest Yunnan, but still very tasty (I might bump up the time a bit next time). It’s smooth, with just a tiny bit of astringency in the finish and a definite lingering peppery flavor with an undercurrent of maltiness. Very drinkable. Also, it makes my teeth feel clean. :-)
Flavors: Malt, Pepper
