2001 Yiwu Jin Yeh Hao from Nada Cha

One hates to pick favorites but this sample from Nada is one of the best teas ever brewed up in ones old little yixing pot. It shouldn't be that suprising that these big, juicy, 100% old growth, all hand processed leaves from the Zheng Shan region of Yiwu produce such amazing tea.

One opens the plastic baggie and dumps the sample into outstretched palms. Bring the palms toward ones nose, one took in the dank, freshly turned fallen leaf smell. It smells like a rotting tree just unearthed from being buried in soil. This scent immediately captivates.

The tea is prepared in a small yixing that only incurred a slight chip on the lid from the long journey from Korea to Canada. The energy of the little pot is a perfect match for the sample of big, full, dark chocolate brown leaves that are mixed with yellow and reddish varieties all of which look excessively healthy. The look of the leaves push curiosity to new levels.

This first brew is juicy and sweet and hints at unbearably complex underflavours, suggesting a nice long session. The tea is soft but immediately full in the mouth. Particularly, the nice light fruity air of this tea heightens expectations.

The following infusions draw out berry flavours from vague fruitiness that slip under this teas smoothness. Wet converts to spice on the tongue and lips. All of this takes place over a rich blanket of the taste of newly disturbed fallen leaves- such rich decadence. Fresh and juicy mingle with deep and rich. There is such depth in its earthiness.

The cha qi brings quick clarity and peace, its energy is undeniably soothing. One meditates deeply with this tea for hours- infusion after infusion after infusion.

One is strongly moved by the way this tea feels in the mouth. Someone with no sense of taste would even fall in love with this tea. The liquor is such a vibrant dark orange/yellow it makes the mini Sel Young Jin erabo style cup radiate with unrivaled pride.

Flavour modestly evolves and after the first 10 infusions is just starting to reveal its true self. Later infusions beget more of a woody caramel taste with just as much complexity as before. Actually this tea remains sweet and full bodied late into its twentieth to thirtieth infusions. Its mouthfeel remains somewhat full and a spiciness still haunts the breath.

Peace