I’ve been lucky enough to score several harvests of this wonderful Dian Hong. This time I decided to revisit the oldest in my stash, the awesome Autumn 2013 harvest (now 2 years old), to see how it’s holding up. I keep these well-sealed and out of the heat and light.
Looking at my older tasting notes I see a few changes. The vanilla and slight tart notes are now muted, but the mouthfeel has thickened considerably to an almost syrupy texture. The honey and bee pollen notes are still present, as are the hints of spice, cloves and occasional cinnamon. Overall it’s a little less lively, but the mouthfeel is nothing short of incredible.
I took this through my usual 15 steeps and the flavor kept up right to the end instead of tapering off like it used to. I meant to cold steep the used leaves, but accidentally tossed them in the compost bin (it’s hell getting older).
There are other Dian Hongs I enjoy, but this one still tops my list. It is a truly legendary leaf and I never would have found it without Steepster, nor gotten to try it so long ago without the generosity of Terri HarpLady who sent a sizable sample from her stash to a relative newcomer. I’m bumping my rating from 95 to 100.
A thing worth 1000 words: http://instagram.com/p/9dcoVMliw0
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Glad you love it as much as I do!
I need to place a verdant order, I’m running out of some things… :)
I’d be happy to send you some Spring 2015 Golden Fleece. I got a fair amount before they moved to China during their sale. I then pre-ordered from China expecting the Autumn harvest, but got more of the Spring. Also wound up with way too much 2014 Spring Big Red Robe.
Maybe we should plan another trade, lol, although I still haven’t drank everything from the first one, so it would have to be a really small one (at least on my receiving end!)
I’m in the same boat. Still have about a third of your swap box from a year ago (and about a fifth of boychik’s!). I would not mind a limited swap of specific teas. I would like to downsize my Verdant Golden Fleece and Big Red Robe since I overbought on both.
I have plenty of big red robe from last year, and actually some golden fleece from 13 & 14, but none from 15, LOL
Up until recently I hadn’t purchased any teas from 15, but a few weeks ago I did place that ridiculous order from YS, and Verdant will most likely be next…need to try this year’s zhu wrong & others, but not TOO much. I’m trying not to be a hoarder, just a tea drinker.
Yeah, I’m buying only small quantities this year and keeping my tea database updated so I don’t accidentally place double-orders any more!
If you’ve been following the reviews the China blacks have been really disappointing this year, mostly those from the south. Something about too much rain diminishing the chocolate aspect. Especially our beloved ZSXS, which does not even seem like the same tea this year.
My Verdant 2015 pre-orders are trickling in this week. Perhaps you may want to wait before finalizing your Verdant order. I just drank the Laoshan Black last night (will write up tonight). Although it’s cocoa note is somewhat diminished, it fared much better than anything I’ve had from the Yunnan or Fujian provinces this year.
Speak of the devil … the last Verdant box just showed up with the 2015 Golden Fleece, Zhu Rong and Yu Lu Yan Cha. Will be busy tonight!
Yay for tea!!
I’ll look forward to your reviews!!
Regarding all the rain & tea quality, I had heard that, which admittedly contributed to my lethargy in placing orders. That, and having plenty of tea to drink already, LOL.
Glad you love it as much as I do!
I need to place a verdant order, I’m running out of some things… :)
I’d be happy to send you some Spring 2015 Golden Fleece. I got a fair amount before they moved to China during their sale. I then pre-ordered from China expecting the Autumn harvest, but got more of the Spring. Also wound up with way too much 2014 Spring Big Red Robe.
Maybe we should plan another trade, lol, although I still haven’t drank everything from the first one, so it would have to be a really small one (at least on my receiving end!)
I’m in the same boat. Still have about a third of your swap box from a year ago (and about a fifth of boychik’s!). I would not mind a limited swap of specific teas. I would like to downsize my Verdant Golden Fleece and Big Red Robe since I overbought on both.
I have plenty of big red robe from last year, and actually some golden fleece from 13 & 14, but none from 15, LOL
Up until recently I hadn’t purchased any teas from 15, but a few weeks ago I did place that ridiculous order from YS, and Verdant will most likely be next…need to try this year’s zhu wrong & others, but not TOO much. I’m trying not to be a hoarder, just a tea drinker.
Yeah, I’m buying only small quantities this year and keeping my tea database updated so I don’t accidentally place double-orders any more!
If you’ve been following the reviews the China blacks have been really disappointing this year, mostly those from the south. Something about too much rain diminishing the chocolate aspect. Especially our beloved ZSXS, which does not even seem like the same tea this year.
My Verdant 2015 pre-orders are trickling in this week. Perhaps you may want to wait before finalizing your Verdant order. I just drank the Laoshan Black last night (will write up tonight). Although it’s cocoa note is somewhat diminished, it fared much better than anything I’ve had from the Yunnan or Fujian provinces this year.
Speak of the devil … the last Verdant box just showed up with the 2015 Golden Fleece, Zhu Rong and Yu Lu Yan Cha. Will be busy tonight!
Yay for tea!!
I’ll look forward to your reviews!!
Regarding all the rain & tea quality, I had heard that, which admittedly contributed to my lethargy in placing orders. That, and having plenty of tea to drink already, LOL.