Monday, January 2, 2017

Bama region's Puerh Tea 拔瑪古喬木

While Nannuo mountain is at about 1400 meter altitude, the Bama region resides at 1600 meter altitude. The term "Bama" means old/ancient trees in Aini tribe's native language. Average tea trees in the Bama region average about 270 years old. Therefore, tea from this region is quite taste and rich of minerals. 

I had recently gotten some tea balls from a tea farmer in Bama region. She hand rolled the tea buds and leaves into a ball shape. Each ball weights 6 grams and measures about one inch in diameter. 

When it comes to brewing, I started rinsing and brew first few infusion with slightly lower temperature, about 90 degree Celsius. The tea was surely sweet, mellow, and rich in flavor.  However, I did feel that the astringency was sneaking up after about ten infusions. Luckily, it didn't get much more than bitter than that even after many more infusions. The tone of tangerine was also there after about 30 infusions. I stopped brewing about 40 infusions, and the overall experience was great. 








Wednesday, July 31, 2013

1993 Yu Lan Pai - Jade Orchid Brand Oolong Tea

1993 Yu Lan Pai - Jade Orchid Brand Oolong Tea

July 30, 2013

It took a while to open this pewter tea caddy. After all, it was worth of time and effort. The base was marked with 1993 Yu Lan Pai, (玉蘭牌) Jade Orchid Brand. In addition, it was also marked of Shan Tou Province Product and will be expired in 18 months. It wasn't the first expired tea I drank, and it surely won't be the last.

The aroma, as expected with its age, it has a little up-front earthy taste, like typical aged lightly roasted oolong and a lot back throat aftertaste. Body, dry at first, then it transformed into a soft and sweet. Floral scent was faint. It's overall smooth and warm.






Wednesday, May 29, 2013