Sunday, October 25, 2009

2009 'Dan Seok' Emperor's Jiri Mountain Yellow Tea


The dry leaves smell of frosty mountain pines. Sweet, sour, citric almost like marmalade.

Although these leaves can handle hot water, one instead uses more leaf and lets the water temperature drop before pouring it into the pot.

The result is a smooth creamy, subtle chocolate soup, that is quite nutty. The mouth is covered in light silk, the breath is witness to its hidden chocolate and more overt nutty tones.

More infusions take place to round out its flavour. Making it fuller in the mouth, more nutty.
The energy of this tea is comforting as it warms the stomach and innards as one sits cross-legged in meditation on the floor. One is coated in the relaxing blanket of this tea, as cool autumn winds blow yellow leaves from the trees outside.

As infusions resume, hotter water is used which brings out more of the nutty profile. Faint chocolate is now long gone. The taste becomes more roasted.
Late into the session ones alert mind senses more woody, earthy tones. The finish in the mouth becomes more dry and more citric. This tea lightens up.

One lightens up.

Peace

8 comments:

Tuo Cha Tea said...

Beautiful post, as allways.

Matt said...

Thomas,

thanks.

Peace

Unknown said...

Wow, granted I have only had one Yellow Tea so far, but those leaves look nothing like the one I have had or seen. And the broth is so dark. Either way sounds like an Amazing tea,

Matt said...

Adam,

This yellow tea's broth is more orangey-brown, than yellow. This is often an indicator of how much oxidization the tea has undergone. Its leaves are fairly standard Korean yellow tea leaves.

Over the next few weeks one will be posting more notes on Korean yellows. It should give readers a good understanding of what Korean yellow teas are all about.

Peace

Anonymous said...

Nutty and roasty...I like the description of the energy-feeling of this tea. I've never yet had a yellow tea though I certainly will in future days. Makes me want to try some. --Spirituality of Tea

Matt said...

Jason,

Yellow tea is definitely the most unknown out of all the tea varieties (green, yellow, white, black (red), oolong, and puerh).

You aught to give it a try.

Peace

T.alain said...

-Splendid post...for a splendid tea.It smell so good,leaves are splendid,i think this tea is an upper grade of the one i drank...

Thanks a lot Matt.

Matt said...

Alain,

This is the same tea sent to you. Hope you enjoy it.

Peace