This one is among the more complex shengs, it has a thick creamy texture and induces a peaceful state of mind. If you like Mengku tea, then I am sure you will love the taste profile and the pungent aftertaste too.
The smell is sweet, vegetal and floral as one would expect. Specific notes include manure, sage, courgette, dry earth, nettle,
...Read MoreRead more about This one is among the more complex and green pepper. Just like in the 2017 vintage, I can detect a mixture of orchid and honey aroma in the empty cup.
The liquor is thick and active from the very first infusion, which is quite crisp tasting. There is a drying sensation throughout the session, which never gets out of hand and completes the mouthfeel in a very satisfying way. Bitterness also appears in moderation and it lends itself to a nice, sweet finish. The taste is generally fairly vegetal with decent umami and a slightly metallic tinge. Many flavours could be identified over the course of a full session, let me just mention nettle, sugarcane, peanut, kohlrabi, carambola, celery root, enoki mushrooms, and chard to name a few.
As I mentioned already, the aftertaste has a floral pungency to it that appears fast. I couldn’t quite pinpoint the specific flowers it reminded me of, but I think there are hints of chamomile and orange blossoms. There is also an interesting creaminess as well as a fresh sweetness of green beans/peas neither of which is very usual. The more usual honey sweetness is there, but subdued and light – akin to summer honey. Complementing all that is a clover leaf tartness, underscoring the fresh, green nature of the sensation. Read LessRead less about This one is among the more complex