2007 Xiang Yi "Hei Cha Zhuan" Hunan Brick Tea

This is from the Xiang Yi Tea Factory in An Hua county of Hunan Province. Xiang Yi is the second oldest producer of Hunan Hei Cha after Bai Sha Xi Tea Factory. Hei Cha Zhuan (lit. Black Tea Brick) is composed of An Hua grown tea that's been picked and processed with frying, rolling, wilting and then sun-dried. The bricks are tightly compressed which allows for slow but determined post fermentation. T his tea may or not have golden flowers. A few bricks have it, but most do not. This particular brick was stored in An Hua County of Hunan from 2007 until June 2016. The smell of the dry leaf is that of dried fruit... very sweet and dense fruitiness happening. The brewed tea is sweet and thick with (not surprisingly) strong fruit sweetness (think dried plums). Tea can be infused 7 to 10 times if brewed gong fu style. We recommend loosening the tea using a pick into smallish chunks layer by layer. We also recommend using a clay pot and the hottest water possible. An incredibly unique tea that's also very very enjoyable to drink! 1 kilogram per brick 2007 Vintage ** Because there is a possibility the golden flowers were inoculated using wheat flour we cannot guarantee this tea is safe for those with Celiac Disease or those that have severe gluten induced allergies **