More new tea! I love interesting teas, with interesting stories. This green tea comes to us from Pan’an County, Zhejiang, China, and is harvested on April 5th, the beginning of a two week green tea harvest period that wraps up on April 20th. That date is important because that is before the Spring rain, so this early harvest is specifically a “pre-rain” harvest.
These leaves looks more like a delicate white tea, with very small, flat, non-rolled, light green leaves, having been picked when the leaf buds have just barely opened. Red Blossom Tea Company is rather specific about brewing this one with a slightly longer steeping time and a lower water temperature, so following the directions on their website, I get a darkish, semi clear yellow brew. Almost straw-ie in color. Imagine a darkish, semi filtered Hefeweizen in color, for those beer fans out there.
Time for a taste.
Aroma is nice and light, with a hint of straw and grass. Just a bit on the sweet side. Veru inviting.
The first taste gives a smooth, almost buttery mouthfeel. The 1st second of that taste is nothing out of this world, but just be patient and wait for second number 2. Wow. That second taste is when the light, roasted straw-ie, grassy taste is matched with that sweet, buttery smoothness. Like two heavy weight boxers going head to head in the ring, but just before they pummel the crap out of each other, they hug and play a board game. Maybe cribbage.
This is a VERY good green tea. A little more specific in taste and feel, and brewing, for that matter, than normal green teas, so do trust the good folks at Red Blossom, and you will have a great experience with this one.
Off the top of my head, I would imagine this being a great early Spring brew, to sip while listening to the late Winter, early Spring rain while life begins again around you.
-E
Flavors: Butter, Grass, Roasted, Straw, Sweet, Wheat
