Another unique and enjoyable tianjian from YS. The dried leaves are smallish and have a nice black cherry aroma and slight hint of pine wood charcoal. The tea soup is incredibly clear with a light yellow hue.
This one starts out like a black tea and gradually evolves into a sheng pu’er in later steeps without astringency or bitterness. It’s a bit more subtle in flavor than the other tianjians I’ve had. I picked up some fruity black tea, black cherry, stinging nettles, and pine resin. No noticeable smoky flavors here. This one has a nice granite/limestone mineral base that lasts throughout the session. The mouthfeel and textures are excellent here and get better with each steep, making it comparable to a nicer sheng pu’er. Good energy and longevity in these leaves too. I got over 10 full-flavored steeps and lost count.
I’ve noticed how tianjians evolve quite rapidly in almost every aspect, which is part of their charm. I’m glad I purchased 2 bags.
