“Greetings Steepsterites. I am celebrating the fact that I’ve washed my floors by having a good cup of tea. In fact I have actually withheld said tea from myself until after the floors were done....” Read full tasting note
Highlights:
-Harvest: Spring (April), 2010
-Growing Region: Wu Liang Mtn, Jingdong County, Pu-Erh Prefecture, Yunnan
A good portion of the Wu Liang mountain range lies in Jingdong county of Pu-Erh prefecture, which is known officially as Jingdong Yi Autonomous County, is home to many members of the Yi ethnic group. Yi Mei Ren literally means Yi Beauty, and is named in honor of the approximately 4.5 million Yi people who call the high mountainous regions of Western & Northwestern Yunnan home.
This is an exquisitely crafted black tea, made entirely of Wu Liang Mountain large leaf varietal source materials. The processing of this tea was done like other black teas, in that it was wilted & rolled before being allowed to oxidize for a period of time prior to drying. There are some differences in the process for this tea, though. The leaves underwent several periods of vigorous shaking/tossing (similar to some oolongs) during wilting to bruise the leaves & start the oxidation process going before rolling. Then the tea was then rolled and allowed to oxidize to roughly 90% before firing & drying. The end result is a quite dark, twisted & beautiful dry leaf.
Yi Mei Ren, when infused, yields a beautifully clear, reddish amber liquor. The mouthfeel is full and mouth coating, and the flavor is wonderfully malty-sweet with a slightly floral element to it. To my taste, this tea has a very refreshing complexity to it that isn’t normally found in black teas made only from the buds of the tea plant, and it also makes great iced tea.
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