2003 Jing Mai Round Cake Tai Lian Tea Factory Review (Yunnan Sourcing)

The initial aroma of the first infusion is definitely nutty, but also grassy and overall quite faint. As the tea cools down a bit, the fragrance concentrates and some notes of bark appear. After my senses become accustomed to the grassy scent, very faint notes of berries prevail.

The taste is slightly bitter with fruity notes instead of a grassy character I dreaded this tea would have. At first the taste seems weak, but as usual, as the tea cools down, the flavours and the mouthfeel concentrate. Here I think I can distinguish the "nutty" profile of Jing Mai tea, which is mainly felt in the back of the tongue and the throath.

The second infusion is denser with deeper flavour and clearer dark fruity notes. Here the intense but shortlived fruity aftertaste is also apparent. Grassy notes are still present, but only in the edges of the taste. Honeylike and fruity notes are in the focus, as is also the smooth nutty mouthfeel.

This tea definitely needs to be brewed strong to get the most out of it. It reveals itself slowly, but once the tea shows its true character, it is worth the wait. Link to the Yunnan Sourcing product site