Yunnan "Black Gold Bi Luo Chun" Black Tea Spring 2019

HELLO! Whaddya know, I’m back.

Yes, I know. It has been an ETERNITY since I have been on here. Sorry. I’ve been dealing with ish, and my life has been so hectic lately that I haven’t had the chance to really sit down and try any new teas. Well, that changed this month when I made a haul from YS and it arrived a few days ago. Funny thing, actually spending my tea budget for the month on TEA!! Anyway, this is the first one I am trying from my Spring 2019 bunch that I purchased. I’ve never had black bi luo before, so lets see how this is.

For starters, fresh out of the package this stuff smells DIVINE. There is a strong sweet smell to it. It smells like a dessert tea actually. I’m looking forward to tasting it.
Brewed Western. 3g/12oz/2:30min/190F

Taste is… wow, that stonefruit flavor is intense. Just bringing the tea up to my nose, I can smell the strong sweet/musky smell. I wasn’t expecting stonefruit, but it definitely has that character. I’m also getting a bit of cherry as well. It thankfully doesn’t seem to have that “Meat” flavor that I remember the Bi Luo Green that I tried had. I didn’t like that meaty flavor. This however, is very fruity and delish. There is a bit of tannin flavor in it, but as I was conservative in my brewing, it isn’t at all bitter.

MMmm… as I get further down into the cup, (and as it cools) I’m getting an ever so slight leather note to it. Not unpleasant, it’s just a bit more complex as it cools. Also, as it cools, that signature golden-black cacao flavor is shining through. By this point, the stonefruit flavor has faded, but the cherry flavor is still holding on, giving it a slight “cordial cherry” flavor.

All in all I would say this is definitely a keeper. It’s a wonderfully fruity tea that, as it cools, becomes a more traditional golden black flavored cup. There is still some available on YS (the Chinese site, not sure about the US site) so I would say if you like this sort of thing, pick some up. It’s very good.