Yezi Tea

This was a pleasant enough black tea. It reminded me both of Laoshan Black and VT’s Yu Lu Yan Cha. It tastes of cocoa powder and peanuts, malt and wood. Despite having flavors you would consider “heavy” it’s relatively light in body. It’s thin, and doesn’t leave a full taste in your mouth or a coating behind. There’s the light taste of nuts and that’s about it. It seems to fall flat, but it could be the age of the tea. I’ve been holding on to it for over a year. Yeah, I know. ): It’s decent but it’s not for me. It doesn’t fit my preferred flavor profile.

Method:
2tsp/10oz
Preboiling
First steep: 1min 30sec
Second steep: 2min 05sec
Third steep: 3min

The first steep tastes of cocoa and malt, along with a grapey fruitiness. There is a nuttiness and a roasted component as well. The body is medium-full with a savory, chewy flavor and texture. The finish is surprisingly clean: it has no particular overwhelming flavor, and there is no flavor or mouth coating left behind. The second steep is very much like the first. There is a light honey sweetness that I couldn’t detect before. It’s brisk and breakfast-y without being astringent or bitter. It vaguely reminds me of a Keemun but without the smoke. There are notes of toasted grain, too. This steep leaves a malty, nutty fruit taste in my mouth after sipping. Third steep has barely any cocoa, but it does have more fruit, more honey, and baked bread flavors. It’s very light compared to the first two steeps. (…it does, however, remind me of light and fluffy buttermilk pancakes. Maybe I’m just craving pancakes.)

(:

Good, but not a keeper. It’s definitely high quality. I kept a small sample in a folded, unsealed pouch for over a year in my cupboard, and it still retained a lot of flavor. I need to stop being so negligent. I bought A LOT of teas when I first started drinking loose leaf, and I haven’t gotten close to drinking them all.

Um… This is weird. This tea bears no resemblance to the jin jun mei sample I had from Yezi about 8 months ago. It came in one of their $6 sampler sets, but I’m not very happy that I just ordered 4 more ounces because of the 20% off sale. Even at 20% off, it’s a lot more expensive than what I would normally spend per ounce of tea. I remember this tea being sweet — tasting like sweet potatoes and marshmallows. I’m not getting any of that now. It’s more bitter, not as complex or interesting… And if anything, I probably steeped it at a higher temperature for a longer amount of time back when I tried it before, so it’s not an issue of steeping at a higher temperature.

Yezi just sells it as “jin jun mei.” They don’t include a year or harvest season on the packet — at least not on the samples, which are all I’ve tried so far. So I have no idea whether this tea was grown in the same place, or whether the harvest time was much different. But this is not nearly as good as the jin jun mei I remember. It’s not bad, but it’s sort of a generic black tea with nothing special about it. Not cool, Yezi. I got this because I thought I could at least count on it being as good as the last product — and similar to it, if not identical.

I’m mad at myself for buying several ounces of this before making sure it was the same jin jun mei I wanted. I’m gonna cross my fingers and hope this was a mistake in the sample bagging.

It’s a sample I just got from Yezi — and I really appreciate the samples. There’s a strong sweet potato taste, with hints of caramel — and very toasty. I haven’t had other jin jun mei teas, so I can’t compare it to anything else. It’s good, but I wouldn’t say I must have it around as opposed to other Chinese black teas. The sweet potato flavor is new and interesting for me. All in all, it’s a very good tea, but not a great one. The taste of sweet potatoes does, however, make me interested in trying out some different jin jun mei teas. to see how they compare. I’d buy this in the future if I found it on sale.

Okay, I must have done something wrong. I have never had the same experience with a handful of black teas as some other users on Steepster where the only flavor is dirt. But. Now I can say I have.
All I taste is dirt.
Like, take a sweet potato, burn it in a fire on some dirt and ashes, and make me drink it. Physically impossible, but yes, that is the flavor profile I can narrow it down to.
I don’t want to think that it was a bad sample, I have and love all of the other Yezi blacks I own. But like, what the fuck? It must be on my end. Ah well, sorry Jin Pin. I will have to put you on my ‘get as a sample with next yezi order’ list.

Yezi is having a sale for CNY, and I came across this tea once again. Now I’m thinking about getting more of this, ‘cause it came highly recommended. I got a sample in my Black Friday order and hadn’t tried it out until now. I used the whole 5g sample in my 150 ml gaiwan. i did a short rinse of 5 sec and then started with 5 sec increments. Methinks it could have been better with a slightly longer initial steep after the rinse. Ah well.
So! This sample answered my questions! … well, almost.
1. Is this any good? Yes, very.
2. Should I get more of it? Yeah, couldn’t hurt.
3. Why do they only offer it in 3.5oz and full cake size???

Le sigh.

Yezi is so odd with their sizes. Some of their teas sell by the single oz, some start at 2oz, and with most of their Puerh, the bidding starts at 3+ oz. I guess I am getting another sample. Maybe one day I will cave in and get the whole goddamn cake.
But not this time.

The warm leaves in the gaiwan have a scent of orchids and mountain air, very sweet and fragrant. I’m really eager to try this tea.

After the first infusion, the wet leaves are giving me big whiffs of floral with hints of honey, wheat, and grapefruit. There’s also a vegetal scent. The flavor is light with mostly floral notes and a bit creamy, but there is a sourness to it that I’m surprised about. The finish isn’t as enjoyable as the onset.

(I made sure at this point that my kettle was producing clean tasting water and wasn’t in need of cleaning, and the water tasted normal. )

The next infusion has quite a sour taste to it as well. There’s a drying quality to the tea that is really difficult for me to tolerate. The flavor is floral and has a pungent kind of sourness like grapefruit.

By the third infusion, the flavor is more round, floral and vegetal, but it’s bordering on bitter or sour tasting. I am brewing this tea lighter yet than I typically brew these types of rolled high mountain oolong teas, so I’m pretty certain I’m not overbrewing it.

I am bummed that I’m not enjoying this tea. The scent is great, the kind of luscious floral you’d expect from high quality high mountain oolong, but the flavor is kind of harsh. It doesn’t have a clean mouthfeel. It is pungent and sour. I love Yezi teas and feel bad leaving a less than positive review for a company I enjoy so much, but I believe reviews should be honest and unbiased. Personally, this helps me to look back at what I’ve tried and know what things to purchase or try again in the future. I suppose it can also help vendors decide which of their teas are well-liked and which ones may be more of a risk to sell.

I gave this tea a second chance with what I had left of the sample, making a fresh batch, and I had the same experience, overall good flavor, but marred by pungent sour and bitterness that sneaks in in the finish.

My brewing times were 45s, 25s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 60s, with no initial rinse.

This tea is reminding me a lot of a classic Bailin Gongfu. The flavors are mellow, malty, bready, a little sweet.

This tea lasted far fewer infusions than I’m used to with a red tea. The flavor was enjoyable but not as complex as I’m used to from other high quality reds. I was really impressed by Yezi’s Jin Jun Mei a couple days ago and in comparison to that, this tea is missing the mark for me. There’s nothing wrong with it, but as far as red teas go, I also feel there’s nothing that particularly sets it apart from the crowd. The flavors hang on the woody, roasty, grainy, malty, side of things, and don’t dip down into the darker more fruity or chocolatey tones as much as some of my favorite reds, nor do they rise into the more bright honey sweet and floral tones. At least that is my experience with this sample.

Had it this morning with my attempt at French toast, sans milk.

This smells go good. Mostly like yams, and some cocoa. There is a nice malty chocolate flavour with hints of dried fruit (apricot perhaps). Still one of my fave morning teas.

I have a conundrum, I am very hungry and need to get out of my chair to do some things, but there is a sleeping cat in my lap. When I try to move she makes this pitiful mew and starts whapping me with her tail, for such a tiny cat her tail is ridiculously strong…so here I sit with my leg and backside falling more asleep because I don’t want to wake my cat up. I am hoping that me typing (and therefore making the arm her head is on move) will wake her up and send her to find a more comfy spot, but consider she is drooling and super content, I think I am stuck for a while.

Today’s is Thursday, so that means it is time to plunge into the depths of my notebook piles to have a Throw Back Thursday review, specifically Yezi Tea’s Wen Shan Pouchong Oolong Tea. This #TBT reminds me of three things: 1. I need to drink more tea from Yezi, 2. I need to drink more Pouchong (or Boa Zhong, dialect depending) and 3. I need to dedicate a Yixing to Pouchong because having a Yixing teapot dedicated to each kind of Oolong is a fantastic idea. So, this Pouchong is from the Wen Shan district of Taiwan, which explains the name. The aroma of the curly green leaves is like a spring themed explosion in my nose, there are intense notes of orchid, honeysuckle and lilac accompanied by fresh vegetation, mown hay, and a hint of sweet chestnut at the finish. It is powerful and heady, like being in a humid conservatory where everything is floral and intense.

Into the gaiwan it goes, this was back when all I had was one gaiwan, before my crazed addiction to gaiwans really took off. Once giving it a steeping I can say that the entire room smells like flowers, my notebook is very clear that it was intense, and also the letters list off the page a little, I remember this tea having an affect on me, it was my first Pouchong! There are notes of orchid, honeysuckle, wildflower honey, and a hint of orange blossoms, it is so sweet and heady. The liquid is unsurprisingly very floral, the expected notes of honeysuckle and orchid are present, but there is still the hint of orange blossoms and chestnut, blending the wet and dry leave’s notes.

First steeping, the taste is sweet and floral, I would even go as far as to say this tea is sublime…even if saying that feels a little silly. The mouthfeel is smooth, not as creamy as some oolongs can be, but more like the smoothness of a green tea, the taste while being intensely floral is also delicate, that is probably my favorite things about Pouchongs, how they balance the heady and delicate so elegantly. There are notes of orchid and honey suckle, along with orange blossoms and fresh vegetation.

The aroma of the second steep is much headier, the orchid note is the most prominent followed by honeysuckle and lilac. It smells pretty, a very evocative tea that fills my mind with flowers. The taste takes its cues from the aroma and steps its floral game up, along with its sweetness, and its vegetation. Come to think on it all the flavors from the first steep are presents, just all of them are more intense.

Third time’s the charm! The aroma of this steep is no where near as intense as the previous, it is still very floral but it is in the same intensity level as the first steep. The notes are a blend of orchid and orange blossom, with just a touch of honey. The taste is quite mild and surprisingly buttery this time around, the initial buttery and slightly vegetal notes fade to honey sweetness and a lingering orchid taste. Gotta love teas that have a floral note that sticks around after you are done sipping it!

For blog and photos: http://ramblingbutterflythoughts.blogspot.com/2015/02/yezi-tea-wen-shan-pouchong-oolong-tea.html

I got this sample from someone, but I don’t remember whom. Sorry. All of my samples got all mixed up by my well meaning spouse. He was just trying to help. Unfortunately, I don’t know who sent what anymore.

On to the tea.

Sweet and floral, light, kinda buttery. Delicious. Very delicious.

Don’t remember much about this as I had it at work and my attention wandered. I do remember caramely goodness and then as it cooled a very deep woodsy feeling with a teensy bit of smoke hiding out. Ost sent me this in a swap – thanks so much! I may not remember many specifics but I do remember that it was extremely tasty.

My last Yezi black tea sample! I’ve enjoyed all their teas so far, though they tend to be a bit expensive for my tastes. This is actually one of their cheaper black teas, so hopefully I enjoy it as much as the pricier ones. The leaves are medium-sized and while they’re long and slender, they’re not wiry-looking. The color is a medium to dark brown with some golden tips included. Dry scent is hay and potatoes.

The steeped tea… smells exactly like French fries to me. Excuse me while I sit here and sniff it for a few minutes… Wow, it tastes very potato-y as well! Totally French fries. There’s also a light sort of green vegetable flavor as well as a slightly sweet and rich caramel/molasses touch. Mostly though, I taste French fries. There is perhaps a touch of fruit near the end, some kind of dried fruit, perhaps prune? Overall, this is a nice mostly savory and thick tea. It’s almost bitter, but not quite there.

This was one of the samples I purchased from Yezi when they had free shipping and a percentage off for Cyber Monday. The leaves are on the small to medium size, and they’re slender. Mostly dark grey/brown with a fair amount of golden tips. Dry, they smell very sweet, almost like sugarcane. There’s also a strong hay aroma.

Mm, the steeped cup smells both sweet and savory, like ham with a thick brown sugar glaze. The liquor feels thick and silky in the mouth. It tastes mostly savory, like thick rye or wheat bread with malt. But then there are also nice complementary sweet notes, like molasses and dark dried fruits. There’s also a dark caramel undertone providing richness. Overall, a yummy thick and satisfying cup, though I’m not sure I’d pay the price Yezi is asking for it.

The first tea to debut my new 3 oz gaiwan!

5g tea
90 ml water, 212F
3 infusions: rinse, rinse, 2s, 5s, 10s

This tea packed a punch for it’s little 5 grams. You could just see the flavor jetting out of it right away as the water was still pouring. A bit of a chocolate taste going on in the background, but note much as to speak of. Almost generic tasting, but in a good way. I guess you could call it “a well rounded blend”? I like shou, so tasting like shou’s not a bad thing right? :P My point is that while it’s not very complex in taste, it was still very enjoyable. After only 3 steepings I could tell that there were many many more to come so I’ve left it to enjoy again tomorrow.

Quite nice. This is the only Jin Jun Mei I’ve had so I’m unable to compare it to anything, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I didn’t find it as anything terribly special about it, just a nice cup of black tea with typical malty notes of grains and cocoa, but enjoyable none-the-less.

Ost included a sample of this in her Christmas Card. Thank you, Ost!!

Brewed in a test tube steeper. Steeping times: 20, 40, 60, 120.

The dry leaf smells uncannily like caramel-filled chocolate candies, while a rich smoky and somewhat chocolately aroma arises from the wet leaf. The liquor is a beautiful golden orange color, and has silky smooth texture. Very clear, except for the fuzzies from the leaves – makes for a nice sight when you hold the steeper in the light. Flavorful and full-bodied. Offers fudge and caramel with a bold smokey note.

I’ve come to learn that smoke in teas doesn’t appeal to me unless it’s lapsang souchong, but this is a delightful and well-made black tea nonetheless.

Steeped this gongfu, of course, and couldn’t be more pleased with the results.

Although Yezi recommends an initial steep of 30 seconds, adding 10-15s per additional steep, I opted for far shorter initial steeps: 10s rinse, then 5,10,15,20,25,30,40,60,90,120,240, and 360 seconds.

I had a black cherry aroma mixed with something else, something earthy and old; when I say old, past-their-prime tangerines, I don’t mean it badly, but maybe that was it… it’s got that great earthy pu-erh aroma as long as you look for it. As pu-erhs go, this is pretty light.

This tea can get bitter quickly if you don’t keep an good eye on it, but if checked it’s fantastic.

Lovely stuff! Ridiculously thick leaves give off an incredible floral aroma; the dry leaves are nothing short of intoxicating.
The tea’s liquor is buttery are soft; light but compelling.
Highly recommended.

Thanks Yezi!

so what’s really terrible is that I have been overwhelmed lately with trying to get the house in order so that it’s one lest thing to worry about next year in addition to wedding planning, and my mother cale up this weekend to go dress shopping…etc…etc.. so i had this sample probably 4 days ago…and didn’t get a chance to log it…and my notes have disappeared from the office. SOOOOOO all i can remember was that this was a very light brew…and refreshing. Something i’d be willing to pick up again…if nothing else just to be able to write a proper note on it lesigh

Only my second Da Hong Pao, and if I remember correctly the first doesn’t impress too much and took a bit took get right. Maybe I’m more “capable” around tea now or maybe this particular Da Hong Pao is more user friendly…

Great aroma, touch of spice with some vanilla maybe. I like it. The taste has a roasted hint to it and some more spice. I had about 4 steeps with it staying this resilient.

Thank to Yezi Tea for the sample

Pretty good basic Bai Mu Dan – got 3 good brews from it.

Free Yezi tea sample.

Aroma is light and green; vegetal is too strong a descriptor, this is far more delicate… it’s also mildly sweet.

Taste is where this oolong shines, not only does it withstand a good few infusions, 4 before I found the taste to be too far removed from the first steep, but it also stays right with the aroma; something not enough teas manage. I’ll definitely be buying more of this