After a 15 second rinse, the tea leaves smell sweet and floral, a bit like chamomile, and with a bit of a fruit note. I’m already sensing some similarities in aroma with WYMM Tea’s Mangnuo Cane Tea, which is truly a prized tea to me.
I am drinking the initial rinse infusion of this tea, because after testing it, it tastes great. It is light and honey-like with a floral nectar kind of character to it. The liquor is a beautiful golden yellow and smells like honey too. There’s no bitterness present and the flavor is light and refreshing, leaving a slight cooling sensation on the tongue.
The second infusion has a bit stronger floral taste and isn’t quite as sweet. Again, I’m reminded of chamomile somewhat, though of course it’s also got the complexity and variety of “green” flavors that is unique to sheng Puer. Still, it tastes quite like I’m drinking a flower tisane.
By the third infusion I realized how clean this tea tastes and how clean it feels in the mouth. It isn’t really strong in flavor. It has just a bit of lingering bitterness at this point, but it’s a clean and enjoyable bitterness. The flavor overall is mild and sweet at first, then gives way to the bitter finish, which is to be expected from a young Puer. The next infusion is a bit sweeter, and despite the accompanying bitterness, there’s a lingering sweetness. Further infusions maintain a balance between a subtle floral honey-like sweetness and a lingering clean bitterness. A lingering sweetness follows much longer after the bitterness subsides. This Puer seems like one that would be really sweet and light after aging. I like how smooth it is, especially in the first few infusions. This one definitely has my attention. I think it has great aging potential!
Flavors: Floral, Green, Honey
