Yunnan Gen Ben Shi

I’m sure a lot of women I know (and some men) will not be able to relate to what I’m about to say, but I’m always looking for the holy grail of shoes, one pair I can wear for most occasions—work, a night out, at home in the country and city. I guess this is a quest that spans many areas of life: skiers want one pair of skis that will excel in powder, ice, moguls, and trees; motorcyclists want one bike that can go touring, race through the back roads, or putt around town. It is this impulse in humans that is the genesis of the Desert Island list (what is the one book/album/food/famous person you would take to a desert island?)

Now I know it would be heresy to suggest that there is only one tea that would satisfy all tastes, but there are those teas that I regularly turn to when I’m not in the mood for something specialized. A good mid-priced Assam or Ceylon, or now, this Yunnan from Upton, back in stock due to popular demand. It’s fancy enough for an elegant night out (chocolate and fruit) but unpretentious enough for a trip to the corner pub (malty, frothy, cherry pipe tobacco).

I wish I had found this earlier, but I guess I was too busy being wooed by the flashier golden-tipped Yunnans I love so much. But as every romantic comedy has taught us, sometimes the best partner is the guy or girl next door who has unobtrusively been there the whole time.

Well hello there friend. I received this tea from Ellen as my sweetea. Yes that was quite a generous package. Not a bad tea. Unfortunately Upton has discontinued this tea. Which to my dismay I’ve been finding some good teas that are no longer available from good companies. I should be content in being able to try this tea, and I am. Which is an overall outlook that I try to keep in life being content in my circumstances. This tea has the that nice flavor that you can pick out from the Yunnan providence, but has a little bit of a peppery kick. A very nice surprise.

Upon opening this sample I noticed the faint smell of cocoa. I brewed a gererous amount of leaves. Approximately 1.5 tsps in the Yixing yielded a smooth brew. Somewhat lite. Cocoa notes. A good tea. I may or may not get a full order….