There is no mistaking of that musty wo dui aroma, even in puerh that has been only partly fermented. In the dry leaves of Hua Yuan Jing Brand however, I am not taken aback by an immediate aversion towards it though. This is because the wo dui scent is quite weak, and it is enveloped in a more agreeable sweet and rounded freshness.
As soon as I see an almost black stream of tea pour from my teapot, my initial curiousity is all too quickly replaced by a familiar dread. Probably every tea drinker can relate to the traumas left by past misfortunate shu experiences.
The fragrance of the first infusion is not as bad as I feared though. One can hardly compare the slight spicy earthiness of this tea to a full blown shu aroma.
I did not have high expectations regarding the taste, but as soon as I took a sip of the brew, I was amazed. The taste is clear, sweet, well defined, fruity, and in every aspect quite 'sheng-like'. The taste covers the mouth and leaves and aftertaste of old wood, which changes to bubbling and almost minty fruitiness when I inhale.
I seriously hope I could find more aged half fermented tea. I've tasted only two examples of this rather unusual tea category, but both times I have been completely amazed by the fact how much I liked those teas.
Hua Yuan Jing Brand is no doubt a very high quality tea. It feels clean, complex, and characterful. This is of course paired with a strong qi, that lulls me into a sweet tea dream.
Link to Yunnan Sourcing product page
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