2 Tasting Notes
I heard a lot about this tea and was very curious to try it. So I ordered two packages. I tried a lot of different Long Jing teas before. Some directly from China, some from local distributors. Price range between 15 – 25 € per 100g. The tea from Meileaf is rather expensive.
The first steep was overwhelming. It was very distinct, very special, very tasty. Others talked about it already, nothing else to add. Highest leaf quality.
Disappointment comes at latest with the third steep. The taste disappears almost completely. This makes me wonder why? Is this tea scented?
This tea is not suited for long Gong Fu Cha sessions. Not only because it’s too expensive for only two steepings, it’s also very dissatisfying. This is the first tea I ever tried, that looses taste so quickly.
Upside: Very interesting nutty taste
Downside: Holds taste only for the first two steepings. Third steep, almost no taste at all.
Bottom line: I prefer high quality Long Jing teas, with a rather “normal” taste, but on a very high level, good leaf quality and a long lasting taste. This tea has an unsusual taste, you may like it. But he can’t hold it, which seems like a fraud.
I found that their Long Jing holds up better under lower temperatures. 158-168º F, I did not like it any higher than that. I could get more steeps and more interesting flavors at a lower temp.