news / Yi Wu

Yuan Man is translated as “perfect” into English language. This cake from Yiwu leaves certainly embodies this translation in terms of value. Made from 2008 spring tea leaves of small trees, it has such good taste that it’s often mistaken as a big tree tea cake.

The Yuan Man cake itself has shiny tea leaves. It has bold fragrance of sweetness and it is transitioning to the savoury plum fragrance of old Yiwu teas. The orangey body of this tea is thick with very good viscosity contributed by tea oil. There will be much sweet aftertaste behind your cheeks. It leaves the tongue slightly dry therefore encouraging salivation.

A very satisfying tea!

This tea gives out light yellow and very clear broth. Dried leaves have strong sweet sun-dried leaves smell while the tea has sugar cane and honey fragrance.

As with previous years, you’ll notice the fineness of the tea once it enters the mouth. Tea penetrates deeply into the core and the returns with floral and honey like sweetness in mouth cavity. The aftertaste lingers and brings out a calming qi. The tea has very good thickness from all the minerals of very old trees. It stands up well to long soaking as it will only return a hint of fast dissipating bitterness from an abusive brew.

Dry leaves

2nd brew

Leaves at 2nd brew

Tea at 2nd brew

6th brew, 2 minutes soaking

Leaves at 6th brew

Tea at 6th brew

Spent leaves

Spent leaves arranged

These long gangly leaves from Gua Feng Lao Zhai (刮风老寨) produces golden colored tea. Somewhat darker soup than the rest of the new teas. It has on higher notes floral fragrance and on lower notes, the obvious sun-dried maocha (毛茶) fragrance.

The tea is smooth and consistent, lasting many brews. It’s something to slow start a day. The tea has no bitterness or astringency and taste very balanced. The tea slides down gently and returns a slightly sweet huigan (回甘) with some smooth qi. For stronger taste, soaking the tea will level up the goodness in the leaves.

Dry leaves

2nd brew

Leaves at 2nd brew

Tea at 2nd brew

6th brew (2 minutes soaking)

Leaves at 6th brew

Tea at 6th brew

Spent leaves