Feng Qing Premium Black Gold Pearls

Recently got this from Yunnan Sourcing’s US site. This tea is basically a yunnan black (Dian Hong) rolled in to a pearl.

The pearls are huuge, I expected them to be around the size of jasmine pearls but they’re almost double in size. The pictures YS has are very pretty, pearls having lots of “gold” to them and a vibrant color, but in fact, their appearance is closer to that of Adagio’s Black Dragon Pearls. That doesn’t mean they’re not attractive at all, simply not as pretty as in the picture. Aroma-wise they are very spicy.

I brewed this tea following typical black tea brewing guidelines since YS does not provide one. Used freshly boiled water and 3 min steep time in a gaiwan.

So far this tea tastes like a regular Yunnan black, the spiciness, pepper notes, and cocoa hints are there but in less strength than a pure Yunnan gold. I also noted this tea has a slight astringent finish. Using two pearls I was able to get several infusions.

Once the pearls unfurl, they reveal to be long thin leaves with a brown clay like color with a strong aroma.

Overall this is your typical yunnan black tea, but what makes this tea special it’s the incredibly affordable price ($11 for about 3.5 oz), ease of brewing (drop 2-3 pearls in your gaiwan or mug depending on strength desired), and great taste. My current “lazy morning” choice whenever I don’t feel like correctly brewing a more “premium” black.

Here’s Hoping Teabox – Round Seven- Tea #15
One of those big pearls that serves as a single serving. Two would be too much. But the flavor is so mild, it almost tastes like nothing until the cup cools and there are slight honey notes, even though the leaves aren’t all golden in this big ol pearl. Not enough flavor for me though. Possibly I should have used two pearls, but I shall leave them in the teabox for someone else to try.
Steep #1 // few minutes after boiling // 3 minute steep
Steep #2 // just boiled // few minute steep

This are gorgeous, although blacker than they look in the photograph. Two of these in a gaiwan, steeped gong fu, saved me after a rough day and a raging headache. There is something about taking the time to steep them thoroughly, watching them unfurl, that is supremely soothing. Sweet, malty, chocolaty and smooth, with no astringency, even on longer steeps (although it can have a dark chocolate bitterness to it), this tea is almost too good to share. Like a piece of chocolate that you sneak when nobody’s looking.