Overpriced, but complex Gong Fu so far in 15-20 sec increments going up each time. The style leans more into a Baozhong, but the taste is a little bit closer to a Tie Guan Yin. Orchid and dense vegetal florals are the most prominent note about the very light smell and taste of the tea. Like the black, it’s got a cedar profile that sneaks into the orchids, especially during steep three. It’s also long lasting and has a little bit more vegetal and fruity build up towards the end.
Unlike Taiwanese teas, this Michigan made tea is more floral than it is fruity, but it’s a different kind of vegetal that I notice in more Chinese teas. I’m half tempted to put peony in the florals for the notes. The later notes are also more complex whereas the earlier notes are softer and more floral. It’s forgiving, but some complexity can be lost when I push the tea too far.
So far, it’s certainly stands its ground in taste and complexity against Taiwanese and Chinese teas. In terms of price, I hesitate more. I got this one to try out Michigan Terroir and support a cool business. I prefer the black tea a little bit more even if I prefer the softer profile of this one. The black tea stands out a little bit more overall, so I’ll see if I change my mind as my snobbery fluxes.
Simply put, I like this tea and impressed by the tea, but I’m not sure if it stands out enough from its predecessors to justify the price.
Flavors: Apricot, Cedar, Floral, Freshly Cut Grass, Incense, Orchid, Peony, Wood
