257 Tasting Notes
From my Verdant order that I placed to secure some Dragonwell after a disappointing first effort. I decided to add a sample of this tea, a style I’ve had my eye on for some time but have yet to try. It is definitely a unique flavor!
Unfortunately, there is no “okra” descriptor, as that is the exact smell the dry leaves give off! On the palate, that has evolved into artichoke for sure. The broth is somewhat sweet (medium low) and thick as milk. Definitely a nice green!
Harvest: Spring 2025
Location: Guixi Village, Qimen, Anhui
Elevation: 200 m
Cultivar: Shi Da Ye
Flavors: Artichoke, Milk, Sweet, Vegetal
So ecstatic for my fresh order from WFT! In their infinite kindness, they sent me 30 g of this tea as a free sample, a value of $22! And a great tea it is indeed.
The sweetness is there from the get go and evolves into a more savory flavor as the infusions progress. Definitely get a mung bean flavor throughout. No bitterness or astringency. Nice potency and decent longevity for a green – about 4-5 infusions.
Harvest: Spring 2025
Location: Sanxia
Cultivar: Qing Xingan Zi
Elevation: 400 m
Flavors: Chestnut, Creamy, Mung Bean, Seaweed, Sweet
Another one I forgot to review. I don’t think I had ever even tried this one as I don’t remember it at all. It is very very nice!
The sweetness is very palatable and intense, especially in the earlier infusions. Wish I could get a cake of this as it’s very affordable, but will hold off until the tarriff situation blows over haha.
Flavors: Camphor, Honey, Sweet, Wood
In preparation for the arrival of my 2025 stash of greens and oolongs, I did some spring cleaning of my old tea samples and came across a few samples I had seemingly tried but not rated on Steepster. Whoops!
This one is certainly one I remember and tried awhile ago, and I recall enjoying it at that time as well. There is maybe a touch of sweetness. No bitterness or astringency. Very woodsy flavor in a warm and calming kind of way. Definitely not worth $0.85/g, but a pleasant drinker for sure.
Origin: Baoshan, Lincang and Xishuangbanna in Yunnan, China
Flavors: Orange Zest, Wood
I seriously debated for weeks about whether to purchase this tea, some more of Mrs. Li’s Dragonwell from Verdant, some of the disappointing One River Tea’s stash because they supposedly have good greens, or splurging on the exorbitant offerings from Bitterleaf that garner so much praise online. Safe to say, I settled for iTeaworld’s offering and I cannot be more disappointed. The tea is not repulsive, but has none of the characteristics that I think represent Longjing and is a sad excuse for a green tea overall. I’m surprised to see positive comments about this from other reviewers here. Maybe this year is just a bad batch? I mean, this is far worse than all the other’s Ive tried, including TeaVivre’s.
Anyways, because I can’t go another whole year without some Longjing, I went ahead and made an order from Verdant. Let’s hope that one is much better.
Harvest: March 25, 2025
Origin: Shengzhou, Zhejiang, China | 600-800m Elevation
Next time, consider Seven Cups. Their Longjing is expensive but good, and their First Pluck Bi Luo Chun is amazing in my opinion. They also have many unique greens to try.
I definitely will give them a try! I need to just bite the bullet at some point and get some really good stuff haha
Yes, their Longjing is a bit pricy. However, whenever they get new tea in stock, they offer a 20% discount on it that weekend. The best way to know when the sales are is to subscribe to their mailing list. I think they have a low shipping threshold in the U.S. as well. I’ve also heard good things about Bitterleaf’s Longjing, though I’ve never tried it.
I once received a sample of Teavivre’s finest Longjing. Ashman took a sip and said, “This is really good.” Paused, and then…”It’s expensive, isn’t it?” Ha ha! I told him, yes, it is very expensive, but I ordered some just for him after that.
Another great puerh from YC! I just figured I’d throw this sample in my order as well, and it proved fruitful. I think this tea is really yummy with good staying power and hui gan.
The mouthfeel is decent. Not thin, but also not crazy good. The sweetness has great depth of character and lasting quality. The tea begs to be drank.
The price is quite nice too at $0.15/g. For arbor tea (qiao mu) that tastes this good, that’s a great value.
Tea Producer: Yi Cun Guan Yin (see below)
Location: Pressed in Lo Jiao Village, then stored in Kunming
Yi Cun Guang Yin ( 一寸光阴）
“In 2010, a young couple started off their own new brand of tea, named Yi Cun Guang Yin.
Before they were working like sales people tea brands or tea manufacturers like Da Yi , Lao Tong Zhi or Long Sheng. During those years working this kind of ‘no future job’ they’ve got an opportunity to get in touch with farmers, tea producers etc. Didn’t take long when they started to learn how the tea business works and opened up their own.”
So I haven’t had a traditional ZSXZ technically haha. All the examples I’ve tried have been unsmoked. I know it is hard to compare just one experience, but I think this one is not quite as much my style as some of the unsmoked versions I’ve had. That said, I definitely enjoy it and it is very unique with the piney flavor! Much more potent smell and flavor than the unsmoked version.
Moderate sweetness (in that umami teriyaki beef jerky kind of way). No astringency or bitterness. Mouthfeel is nothing special. Fairly complex. The roast is well done!
Flavors: Beef jerky, meat, pine, roast, umami, teriyaki, sweet
Flavors: Meat, Pine, Roasty, Sweet
Decided to try a couple of YC’s blacks while I was at it. This one got good reviews in the past, so I figured I’d try it. Not much info about in YC website and I was unfamiliar with the name of this black tea. According to KTM, it is a style that means “Chinese Red” and was developed in 2007 as a blend of 10 varietals. It was supposedly given as a state gift to Prince William in 2015.
Anyways, it is quite nice! Has a bit more depth than most black teas, though this will never be my favorite category of tea I think. However, a good Dian Hong is something I like to sip on from time to time. The aroma and complexity of this particular specimen are quite fine. Good blackberry jam smell to the dry leaves, with chocolate and nut flavors to the liquor.
Harvest: Spring, 2025
Location: Feng Qing, Lincang, Yunnan
Flavors: Blackberry, Chocolate, Honey, Jam, Roasted Nuts, Sweet
Ever since falling in love with the Haiwan 7458, I have wanted to try this famous cake of theirs. I found this older example from YC, and it is the primary reason I placed an order from them. I must say, this does not disappoint! A wonderful tea for the price :).
“Shen Shan Lao Shu” means “remote mountain, old tree.” The YC website acknowledges that this seems to be a blend of gushu and arbor trees. Nonetheless, it is an exquisite puerh. Thick, oily mouthfeel. Hui gan lasts minutes. Minimal, tickly astringency in some of the middle steeps. Longevity is great at 12-15+ steeps.
I want SO BADLY to buy a cake or two of this beauty. I would gladly pay $0.18/g as that is a steal. However, I am afraid to buy any at the moment as I refuse to pay the 145% tariffs that will likely be levied against its importation >:((((.
Flavors: Apricot, Astringent, Fruity, Grapes, Green Wood, Oily, Pleasantly Sour
I thought the tariffs were on a 90 pause for negotiations.
The 90-day pause does not apply to China.
Also, the United States’ duty-free de minimis exemption ends May 2, for parcels valued at $800 or less shipped from China and Hong Kong. Hefty duties will be applied starting May 2 and will increase on June 1.
Will China/Hong Kong parcels valued $800 or less have 145% tariffs applied in addition to the duties to be paid starting May 2? Or is the 145% only for larger imports valued more than $800?
That was my understanding as well – the 90 day exemption does not apply to china. It’s a sad time we are living in…
If you need a mediator living in the EU; which would a) lead to 90-days-pause; b) lower tariffs, I can do my best.
But those times are sad and scary…
Martin – thank you so much for the offer! I’ll definitely consider it and let you know :)
Marshall – there are some tariffs between China and EU, and EU and US but in total I assume they should be a bit lower.
I got that one, the Long Feng, and the Lishan they have. I wanted to go with them for this years harvest. I’ve read it’s decent/anticipated because of the delayed harvest with cooler weather.