As far as green tea goes this is higher on the oxidation chart. Many of the leaves have oxidized to the point of looking like black tea. American-grown tea has always been a bit dull to me compared with other countries. Not to say that this tea is lifeless but I would say it is better for blending. The flavor reminds me of fall leaves, a bit of compost, green wood, and a bit grassy.
Fairhope Tea Plantation Part Two: After the educational sit down with a cup of his favorite blend Donnie will take you around his tea farm. It didn’t occur to me till later that we didn’t get to see the stuff he processes his tea with. I was too enamored with the tea bushes. His green tea reminds me more of Chinese green. As it is yellower in color. Which makes sense as he learned much of what he did from Chinese farmers. He’ll get on his golf cart and invite you on too. Telling you each time before he presses the gas pedal so that you don’t go flying off the back. To be honest, the golf cart isn’t needed. It’s all within walking distance. But it was amusing. Donnie keeps his height near his waist. It makes it easier for him to grab the leaves. The way he showed us how he plucks reminds me of an elephant grabbing leaves. Again, I won’t spoil much but the one thing I did find interesting was his wild leaves. They were clearly darker than the others because of the forest that surrounded them. I wanted so badly to tell him to make matcha out of them but that in it’s self is a process that is hard.
Thanks for sharing about the plantation!