2018 EoT Wuliang Wild brewed in a clay gaiwan. Light and refined woody ‘wildfruit’ and grassy pear taste with no smoke or bitterness. Active in the mouth with tangy minerality and drying/mouth-watering qualities. I can feel it going down. The straw-like astringency grows stronger and leaves a pleasant bite in the throat. Kind of nutty/mushroomy/very light iodine aftertaste. Camphor and mild returning sweetness are quick to show. Beautiful floral aroma — don’t forget to smell the lid.
This is a wild tea with a more ephemeral, contemplative almost oolong feel than the aggressive nature of others I’ve tried. That chest-forward energy is there, though; gonna say it’s not suitable as a night-time brew. I’m happy with this tea even if it is short-lived.
Edit: I oversteeped several cups and it still turned out lovely with only a mild background bitterness. I do want to compare brewing the leaf in a porcelain pot and again in the gaiwan with longer infusions. This tea seems like it has wiggle room.
Flavors: Berries, Camphor, Drying, Flowers, Fruity, Grass, Iodine, Mineral, Mushrooms, Nuts, Pear, Smooth, Straw, Tangy, Wet Wood, Wood
I broke my Yixing gaiwan, think I’ll buy a new one. That doesn’t count as breaking my no-buy, right?
You might have to look elsewhere for justification. My lips are sealed (around this Yixing cup that partners with the gaiwan).
Lmao, that’s cold.
Oof, sorry! :$ Really, though, I love this thing: https://yunnansourcing.com/products/yixing-purple-clay-easy-gaiwan-and-cup-set
It’s cheap.
I’ve never had a gaiwan with a pouring lip! Taking note – I’ve favourited the page so I can make my way back to it when the time comes to buy more tea (: Yunnan Sourcing is going to be one of the first companies I place an order with when I can, so hopefully I can stay patient enough to wait until then!