New varietals are always fun for us, especially when they kick ass. This Zhuye (bamboo leaf) varietal tea (a Zhilanxiang/芝兰香 descendent) demonstrates just that, offering a very unique experience, especially when contrasted to with our other Dancong offerings for this year. Made from high mountain (1000+ meters), old bush material that has been charcoal roasted, this tea has the noticeable milky quality associated with higher end Dancong. Fragrance-wise there are notes of orchid, but also a slight woody quality. Although it’s a bit tough to describe, this tea has a warm tone of fragrance, making it feel quite rounded and settled. This quality is then contrasted by a refreshing and floral aftertaste that is accompanied by a pleasant huigan. While enjoyable on a warm summer day, as we initially experienced, this would likely also be a great tea for cold days due its warming nature. Please note that the 250g size does not include a tin. $0.62-0.73/gram Varietal: Zhuye/竹叶/Bamboo Leaf Region: Wudong Shan, Guangdong Altitude: 1000-1100m
