I’m drinking the spring 2020 iteration of this much-loved Shan Lin Xi. I’ve written notes on the 2017 and 2018 versions already and there’s not much to add, but I had to give a shoutout to how great it is.
Steeped according to my usual parameters, I get that lovely jammy cherry, orchid, cream, wheatgrass, papaya, spinach, and lettuce, plus some new-to-me notes of coconut and vanilla. That SLX balsam note comes out in later steeps, along with some honeyed florals. The creamy vanilla cushions the vegetal fade, which, as in other harvests, comes too soon for my liking.
I just chugged eight steeps of this tea in less than an hour and a half, which is kind of a record for me. In spite of its lack of longevity, this is one of my favourite oolongs and I’m raising the rating accordingly. Other teas can spend years in my cupboard, but I’ll be surprised if this one lasts more than a month.
Flavors: Cherry, Coconut, Cream, Floral, Grass, Honey, Lettuce, Orchid, Sap, Spinach, Sweet, Tropical, Vanilla, Vegetal
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This sounds delicious… was looking for this online but only see the fall 2020 version on their website?? :)
They probably ran out of the spring version. I’ve had the winter harvest of this tea and it was also good, though I’m not sure about the fall harvest.
This sounds delicious… was looking for this online but only see the fall 2020 version on their website?? :)
They probably ran out of the spring version. I’ve had the winter harvest of this tea and it was also good, though I’m not sure about the fall harvest.