Roasted TGY from Muzha, Taiwan from eco-cha. 2020 spring harvest

Info from vendor:

This farmer manages his own small plots of Tie Guan Yin, also known as "Iron Goddess", tea plants and processes the leaves in his home factory. This batch is 75-80% Tie Guan Yin tea leaves blended with a batch of Jin Xuan Oolong that he processed in the traditional Tie Guan Yin fashion.

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By the even, dark color of the balls, the roasting was consistent

Ball size is a bit heterogeneous. Also, stems are prominent

Almost no particles after wash. Overall quality is good.

Dried leaf smelled of raisins and toffee

Did 9 grams in 170 mL pot with boiling water. 45 sec and then +5 sec for subsequent steeps.

First steep had lots of dried fruit as well as medium smoky character that lingers for a long time. Smoke has a herbal/medicinal quality and reminds me of TGY from the 80s.

Second steep was a bit too smoky, bordering smoked lapsang souchong quality. Jin xuan butteriness comes through at this point. Would recommend shorter second steep - maybe 30 sec. Lingering aftertaste of heavily browned butter.

Third steep was less smoky but also less fruity. Some floweriness is more obvious. Has a subcontinent quality.

4+ steeps: lighter and lighter echoes of third steep.

Produced a good quality tea high in me half way through second steep.

Second session tasting noted:

This TGY is beautifully roasted with wonderful herbal and refeshingly cooling menthol notes. It is malty and fruity, with notes of sultanas, dried pineapple and coconut. The leaves are stemmy and rough, as consistent with the traditional character.

Steeped in both glass and lin's ceramic purion mug (picture). Smokiness is subdued in the mug

Comments

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