Imperial Grade Jin Jun Mei from Tong Mu Guan Village * Spring 2013

I’ve been sitting at my desk for the last hour or so, paying bills, reading emails, balancing bank accounts, & sipping this tea. The warmed aroma of toast drenched with honey is so enticing, and the cup of tea reminds me of boston brown bread.

I am a zombie this morning. I’ve been messing up the simplest tasks at work. Writing out a single check this morning took me three tries. :-( ! Recently, I’ve been going through and attempting to drink up some of my older teas. I’m going to need much, much tea to get through the harvest season this year at the winery.

I’m not even going to rate this tea yet, as I am such an idiot this morning that I way overleafed it. I plan to make a second pot later today. Maybe I’ll be back to say more about it.

Also from Nicole (and I suspect originally from boychik). I figured since I tried the “regular” version of this, I might as well try the imperial grade next so I could compare! These leaves look like miniature versions of the others, but they have less golden color, which I found weird. The dry scent is very mild as well, maybe with a touch more honey? I used the same brewing parameters.

I get the same dark bread and molasses aroma, but with maybe a touch more earthiness and a more toasted scent. The taste is very roasty, which is amazing! Like a slice of dark wheat toast with a little bit of roasted unsweetened nut butter along with the molasses. And I love that so much about this tea! I also get a hint of raisiny goodness. The earth note is still there, but it seems more mellow and refined, I couldn’t compare it to smoke anymore. And I think I catch a hint of floral in the aftertaste? Couldn’t tell you what kind of flower it is, though.

There was a little bitterness in this brew, especially when taking multiple sips in quick succession. So next time I make this I might try a lower water temperature and/or a 2m30s steep. Very good though!

Another from the endless Yunnan Sourcing box from boychik! :)

This one was a little too smoky for me to be a tea I’d order and keep on hand. However, the smoke was mild enough that I did drink it all. I couldn’t pick out any flavors other than a nice tea with a moderate woodsmoke. Glad to have had the opportunity to try it!