I’m surprised this one wasn’t in the Steepster database. The leaves are a mix of loosely curled and twisted darker green leaves and fuzzy white leaves. There are some broken pieces, not many and this is only a little sample size inside of a packet, so it’s probably in a bit better shape in the full size tin. Dry it has floral and chestnut notes. The floral notes aren’t like a jasmine, it’s obviously not added to the tea. It’s nice and light and not perfumey in any aspect. It’s reminds me a lot of Rishi’s Ancient Emerald Lily. The wet leaves smell more chestnut and slightly vegetal. The infusion in both smell and taste is a wonderful blend of the floral, chestnut, and vegetal notes, no one note overpowers the other(s). Delicious green tea I wouldn’t mind having everyday. Unfortunately one tin (1.41oz or 40g) costs $15. Rishi’s Ancient Emerald Lily is so similar to this and you get more tea for lower cost, I’m going to stick with Rishi.
White Monkey
Grown high in the mist-cloaked mountains of Fujian Province, White Monkey has a delicate, mellow flavor without a trace of bitterness, balanced with aromatic notes of lilac & toasted pine nut. Teas grown at high elevations are highly sought after because the leaf develops at a slower rate, storing up extra antioxidants & achieving an enhanced complexity of flavor. According to legend, Buddhist monks harvested high-elevation teas by training monkeys to pick the difficult-to-reach leaves from wild tea trees precariously perched along treacherous cliffs.
White Monkey is, despite its name, a green tea.
