This tea is a beatiful tea, with elongated leaves that to me looked brownish, but the description states they are dark green. I’ll take a closer look next time. There is a numerous amount of white tips. When I opened the bag, I couldn’t believe my nose. I immediately smelled white chocoloate, with lesser almond aromas. What a terrific aroma! It truly did remind me of a 2nd flush Darjeeling, but a White tea as well. The huge leaves and the white furry tips reminded me of a snow buds white, but the nuttiness reminded me of a Bai Mu Dan. The wet leaves looked brown/olive green and smelled of woods, almonds, malty, and slightly chocolately? (I’m asking myself-yes, slightly chocolatey). I wasn’t getting any floral or fruity notes, but my clogged sinuses might be to blame.
Now the color in the cup reminded me of an Oolong with its’ yellow and lightly golden hue. The first cup was so sweet, VERY creamy, and delicious!! It tasted of nutty almonds (as if there is any other kind), like a second flush Darjeeling and a Bai Mu Dan white tea. I didn’t notice any floral or fruity notes in any of my three cups.
My second cup was similar in all respects to the first, except the flavors and aromas were at their strongest. The cup aroma was more in line with a second flush Darjeeling, and even more nutty, creamy, malty and delicious! Steeped 1.5 minutes at 195 degrees.
Last cup was weaker, but still quite smooth, sweet and delicious.The malty quality was still there and there was a light astringency in my mouth-and that’s a good thing. :)) I steeped this cup in boiling water for 3 minutes. The spent leaves are huge and I could still see the distinction of multi hued leaves. In a nutshell a truly pleasant, calming tea experience. I can’t say that enough! :))
Cupped and Reviewed: Saturday, February 11, 2012.
What an erotic adventure!