Ming Qian Dragonwell Panan, Supreme 2010

This is our fourth year offering the Panan Supreme, and we believe this harvest is one of the best to come out of the Central Zhejiang town of Pan’an to date. That this year’s tea turned out so wonderfully is made the more special by the unsettled climate that wreaked havoc on other early harvest teas this year.

The tea garden from which we sourced our Panan Supreme is a 2 hour hike off the main road, nestled amongst pine trees at over 1000 meters above sea level. For three generations, the family that worked this land has crafted exceptional Dragonwells by hand, using completely organic farming methods, and following pan-firing techniques handed down from one generation to the next. Each tea leaf was meticulously hand-picked in early March 2010, then just as carefully roasted by hand on wood fired pans.

Panan Supreme’s appellation shows through in every aspect of the tea: brilliant green leaf buds, fresh floral aroma with hints of watermelon and spring grass, clear, perfectly smooth liquor with absolutely no astringency.

3 Tasting Notes

Payton

A really amazing tea. I can’t like it enough.

First infusion (85 degrees C/1 minute):
I sensed definite asparagus and artichoke notes with a light celery flavor. Very pure tasting without any hidden flavor to detect, but not blunt or boring at all. Aroma of freshly cut asparagus. The word that comes to mind is very “green”.

Second Infusion (85 degrees C/1 minute):
The sweet mouth taste of celery, with a creaminess and the aroma of brown sugar-roasted veggies. The flavor was really buttery with almost a salty butter flavor.

Third Infusion (88 degrees C/2 minutes):
This was more subtle, but still rich and actually more creamy with the vegetal asparagus taste pervading more.

Fourth Infusion(88 degrees C/2 minutes):
Lighter, but more like a 2nd infusion of most Chinese greens I’ve had, with nearly the same sweetness as the first infusion. Less vegetal for certain.

Fifth Infusion (88 degrees/2.5 minutes):
Very light, but still holding on with more of a Meng Ding vegetal top and the body of a Yin Zhen.

2010-04-24 20:46:54 -0400

185 °F / 85 °C

1 min 0 sec

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Tyler 2 tasting notes

This was more a vegetale tea like most Japanese green teas rather than a nutty taste of other Dragon Well teas I’ve had. Strong notes of asparagus and subtle notes of celery. This is the purest tea I’ve ever had. You can really taste the quality. It was smooth and had a slight sweetness to it that I couldn’t quiet put my finger on. Only wishing I would have bought more.

2010-05-10 02:28:00 -0400

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