These dry leaves are the tiniest one has ever seen in a yellow tea. That doesn't come as a surprise as the tea is produced from the first spring growth.
The smell of the dark brown dry leaves could as well be the smell of Christmas baking from grandmas house. The smell is wonderful milky chocolate and roasted nut, the most savored of oxidized tea smells in Korea. It's a real festive treat for the nose as it taunts the tastebuds. This tea couldn't smell any better. With tea smelling this good, its hard to believe that its taste could live up to its smell.
Just like Santa on Christmas eve, this tea doesn't disappoint. The brew is very smooth and coats the mouth in creamy milk chocolate and nutty tones with a subtle undertone of spice. The mouthfeel mirrors taste and is creamy, rich, and smooth. The first few infusions leave a festive spiciness on the breath. Later infusions seem to leave more chocolate than spice.
As the session progresses the liquor develops a noticeable, but not at all distracting, citric sourness that is mostly cloaked by prevalent chocolate and nutty tones. Its mouthfeel develops a slight fuzzy feeling, emulating the warm fuzzy feeling you get when drinking this delightful tea, or when spending time with loved ones on Christmas morning.
This tea has a lightness and vibrancy to it that only such young leaves could possibly emit. Its energy is a beautiful balance between fresh, young exuberance that is typical of Korean green ujeon teas and grounding, settling, stability that is found in most Korean oxidized teas.
In the end you can't help but walk away from this one smiling.
Merry Christmas to everyone.
Wishing you lots of holiday cheer.
Peace
*** Housekeeping note- Please halt all generous tea shipments. One will be leaving Korea in a few weeks and embarking on a journey around the world. One will not have a permanent address for, at the very least, a few months as one travels in search of experience, knowledge, and probably more tea. Also those who were expecting some Christmas goodies may have to wait a few months. Right now one doesn't know where one will settle back down. Most likely it will be someplace other than Korea.
Double Peace
Wishing you a Happy Holidays! Thank you again for teaching me all these wonderful knowledge and experience from the EAST. And which direction are you heading, if I may? Warmest. T
ReplyDeleteA Third Jirisan yellow tea: how a better christmas wish could be? So, Merry Xmas, Happy new year! I sincerely wish you a good trip around the world and, I'm looking forward from hearing from you soon!
ReplyDeleteFarewell, Peace and a very lot of thanks for all the experiences you shares!
Toki,
ReplyDeleteOne is heading west but not too far west. First stop is Vietnam. One hopes to hit the tea fields to the north, especially after hearing so much about the fabulous border tea that can be found there.
Soiwatter,
Yes, one has been on quite the tare of Jiri Yellow teas as of late. They just seem so right this time of year. Thanks for your ongoing support.
Peace
Happy Holidays! I will miss hearing about Korean teas, but sincerely wish you all the best on your travels.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your wonderful posts and photos.
Nutmeg,
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Peace
Safe travels. Thanks for your tea recs in Insadong too. I picked up some very interesting Korean roasted green tea and quite a good Korean oolong from Tea Story.
ReplyDeleteWill you be stopping by Taiwan or Hong Kong within the next month? If so, please let me know - I have interesting stuff to share.
Rich
Rich,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the well wishing. You must have had a heyday in Insa Dong! :) One will let you know if Hong Kong or Taiwan are on the itinerary.
Peace