This is another special dian hong from Xishuangbanna, a mountainous region in southern Yunnan Province (famous for Pu-erh) that supports old-growth tea forest areas. This dian hong has plenty of buds and is a mao feng pluck (a bud and two leaves). The tea is made from ‘old tea tree’ leaf materials – evidenced in the impressive and beautiful size of the tea leaves.
The flavor of this tea is rich, creamy, well-balanced and satisfying. The aroma of the leaf is soft and has the fresh, caramel aroma of fresh baked ‘coffee cake’ or sweet buns. We love Yunnan black teas, especially teas from this area. With a short period of ‘resting’ under its belt at this time, this dian hong has yet to fully develop the cascade of buttery, caramel flavor notes that it will in time. It is still a bit ‘dry’, especially in the finish, with just a hint of raisin, toast, and mild cacao showing at this middle-youth stage of its development. There is much to look forward to with this leaf, so. buy as much as you can and put it in a safe, stable environment and you will have a great tea to visit regularly for many years to come.
Even most ‘tea-resistant’ coffee-drinkers love this tea – and we know that it is just fine with a little milk, too.
For truest flavor, drink it as the locals in Yunnan Province do – plain. It is smooth (no astringency) and really quite full and rich in mouth-feel. It is most delicious and enjoyable in the cup now or do as we have done, and set some aside for further resting and improvement.