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derk drank Zheng Si Long 2017 Man Zhuan by Tea Encounter

1548 tasting notes

Very fragrant dry, warmed and rinsed leaf. Brown sugar baked plums, caramel, wintergreen, cherry, wood, apricot, banana. Interesting mix of aromas there.

First steep was delicate with a light upfront bitterness. Here began the oily, coating liquor that moved into a viscous thickness. Mineral and very mouth-watering, caramel plum aftertaste.

Strangely, besides a passionfruit undertone, I didn’t write down any specific tastes after this as I think I was lost in the mouthfeel and the invigorating, positive energy. The aroma became quite sweet and strong, the liquor a touch spicy.

Somewhere around the 7th infusion at 30s (this pot has a 12s pour, so I get less infusions than a pot with a fast pour or a gaiwan), the tea became more vegetal and astringent with an intriguing apricot-violet aftertaste. I don’t know if I’ve ever experienced those two flavors tied so closely together like that. The brew finally became thinner in the 8th steep, and the next at 1 minute was more bitter-floral.

I really enjoyed the happy afternoon-type energy provided by this session and hope it’s reproducible. The texture of this tea is spectacular with such a viscous, coating feel that still allows the light, upfront bitterness and mouthwatering qualities to play.

I’m excited to see how this cake will age.

Now that I’ve finally tasted all my Yiwu-region teas, it’s time to move on. Since I’m off for 5 days this week, I think I’ll make a “Trip to Changtai.”

[84-86]

Flavors: Apricot, Bitter, Brown Sugar, Caramel, Cherry, Floral, Herbs, Menthol, Mineral, Passion Fruit, Plum, Smooth, Spicy, Thick, Vegetal, Violet, Wood

Preparation

Boiling 7 g 4 OZ / 110 ML

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mrmopar
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Changtai! Hope you can enjoy the journey.

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mrmopar
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Changtai! Hope you can enjoy the journey.

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This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. And thus I step away.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile. Terpene fiend.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, Nepal and Darjeeling. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possess off flavors/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s pu’er, I likely think it needs more age.

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