2016 JinGuo Golden Fruit (ripe)

It seemed like a nice version of shou, especially for the price (listing at $22 by Yunnan Sourcing now). As far as aspects go it was clean flavored, somewhat complex, reasonably full in feel, and well balanced. Flavors were on the rich side, but not earthy, so the overall effect was a bit light. To me it seemed to include molasses like sweetness with some degree of fruit, probably in the range of fig, dried persimmon or dried tamarind, maybe not peach so much, transitioning to include some spice tones. Without negative aspects of any kind to work around, astringency, of course, or pronounced earthy flavors, it works well brewed at a range of infusion strengths. As far as limitations go it could’ve been a little more complex, but I guess it might fill in a bit with more time. I don’t drink that much shou so it’s hard to place it on a scale but it’s the third relatively inexpensive version I’ve bought this year and the best of those.

Well, I am a bit sad, as I used to have a very nice schedule for drinking tea where I would wake up before everyone else at 5:00 on the weekends make myself a light breakfast, then sit down and watch the sunrise with my tea.

However, I sat down with this tea anyways yesterday, it was 10:00 and I had just finished breaking my fast with a huge meal. I thought that maybe I could give this tea a try. The tea session however was a mess, in the dark I really could not focus on the tea and I did not enjoy myself as I usually would with such a nice tea. It might be from the new found energy from the food, but I was extremely jittery and could not sit in one place to focus on the tea. As well, I felt although I was just trying to get the session over with and not really appreciating the tea. This is where I made up my mind and decided not to waste any other teas.

The Tea for such a young tea was actually very nice. There was nothing off-putting about it, but I really did not pay any attention to the specifics, as I said before I could barely sit still. I do, however, remember that it was very smooth, and with indeed, a peachish like taste with stone fruits along with it. When I say peach ish, it was like you were cutting peaches in a bowl then left that bowl in the sun and tasted it. meaning it did not have the acidity of a peach, but had some of it’s flavor. It was wonderfully balanced swell, but there was a bit more earth than I would have liked. The tea fell really quickly, and by around the 8th stepping it had lost most of it’s flavor.

I don’t know how teas like this age, but I am sure it would be amazing after a few years if it is already very pleasant today.

After Ramadan I will definitely want to finish up the sample and add more of my thoughts, but it will definitely by a very long wait until then.

Courtesy of a exceptionally kind Steepster friend, my wife & I were able to experience this young shou.

Leaf Color – Chocolate brown with some gold tips throughout.
Fragrance – faint fruity
Aroma 60 sec. warmed leaves – Mod strong pu-erh up front with fine pipe tobacco in the background.
Aroma 20 min post rest – mild fine pipe tobacco w/pu-erh in background.
Brewed aroma – Not noted.
Liqueur – Cloudy amber initially

Taste – Ultra-smooth, rich, round, and very clean. There wasn’t any bitterness, astringency, fishiness or funk, which is surprising for a 2016.

Flavor profile – Initially, there wasn’t an obivous flavor except mild cocoa at the end of the sip. Unfortunately, the third round ( 15s & 30s steps combined) weren’t like the previous very enjoyable cups. The flavor profile morphed into a tart acidic citrus that overshadowed all that we enjoyed in the prior cups. Before I could finish this cup I had stomach upset. Tasting session ended.

Impression – This “bipolar” shou isn’t a morning cup. Given the name " Golden Fruit", and the tart acidic citrus flavor, this shou reminded me of Earl Grey. Not our cup of Shou!

10.5g / 6 oz / 205° / 60s preheat / 60s warm leaves / 10s rinse / 20 min rest / every 2 cups combined / 5s / 5 / 5 / 5 / 15 / 30 / stopped due to stomach upset.

$26 on King Tea and part of the 2016 lineup… had the word fruit in it so I had to try it.

This tea is ready to drink now, which is not usual for same year shou for me; Green Miracle was the first exception before this.

There’s not really a fruit taste to identify in this tea, but there is a sweetness upfront and at the end that makes it unique and enjoyable. Sweet in the sense of the ginseng ripe Bana has. Very light brews with this which appeals to me. Light brown color with a hint of red, not dark as you can see through it and no texture to speak of. This is a mid day type of shou and not the ending night or morning type; unless you prefer your shou on the light side.

Would like to do another session with double the leaf to see what happens. Must say that it taste quite clean for what it is. Huge points on that part of the teas attributes.