78
drank 2013 Gongmei by white2tea
1557 tasting notes

Unusually fragrant when opening the bag, it smells so much like hot cross buns, which is what I’ve experienced in a few other aging whites, but the intensity here is striking. Yeasty rolls, red fruits, icing sugar, citrus; cinnamon undertone but definitely not a distinct note.

Warming a rinsing brings in full force a potpourri of flowers both fresh and dried, more differentiated citrus notes, honey and whiffs of something like myrrh.

The tea does well with shorter and longer steeps in a gaiwan, my preference lying in the latter. Very hot water is needed to reveal the depth of aromas and flavors. The floral aroma slips underneath the first sips which are at first sweet with nectar and tangy with citrus. A full, underlying woody and dried autumn leaf character mingles with red fruits and apricot. A muted caramelized sugar note keeps the tea from going too woody or leafy. Citrus zest notes are prominent in the finish and continue to grow. The bottom of the cup smells so rich and sweet, like molten, bubbling sugar just beginning to brown.

I’ve also brewed this western a few times with pretty long steeps, 5, sometimes 10 minutes. The redfruits and citrus become muted and the tea becomes very syrupy sweet and woody. The syrupy sweetness reminds me of Costa Rican agua dulce.

It’s a good aging white with no flaws. Long-lasting tea, high energy but not too strong. A tea I could see myself buying another sample of but not a whole cake.

Flavors: Apricot, Bread, Brown Sugar, Chrysanthemum, Cinnamon, Citrus Zest, Dry Leaves, Geranium, Honey, Incense, Lemon, Nectar, Peony, Perfume, Powdered Sugar, Red Fruits, Sugarcane, Sweet, Tangerine, Tangy, Thick, Vanilla, Wet Wood, Wood, Yeast

Preparation
Boiling
gmathis

Sounds so nice!

Kittenna

Agreed, got my mouth watering a bit!

Leafhopper

I think you gave me a sample of this one. I’ve been trying to avoid caffeine because I haven’t been sleeping well, but I look forward to trying it when I can. White teas always seem to get me buzzed.

Martin Bednář

Sounds wonderful :)

derk

It’s probably the most agreeable aging white I’ve had.

derk

Leafhopper, you’ll probably want to avoid this one for a while if you’re cutting back caffeine.

Leafhopper

Derk, I thought that might be the case. I’ve been trying to drink caffeinated teas only in the morning, though I’m not sure it’s helping me sleep.

derk

If you want any suggestions beyond reduced tea consumption, let me know. I hate to hear of you suffering. Take care <3

Leafhopper

I think my bout of insomnia is due to stress and inactivity, as I’ve been avoiding going outside due to this COVID nuisance. However, suggestions are welcome.

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Comments

gmathis

Sounds so nice!

Kittenna

Agreed, got my mouth watering a bit!

Leafhopper

I think you gave me a sample of this one. I’ve been trying to avoid caffeine because I haven’t been sleeping well, but I look forward to trying it when I can. White teas always seem to get me buzzed.

Martin Bednář

Sounds wonderful :)

derk

It’s probably the most agreeable aging white I’ve had.

derk

Leafhopper, you’ll probably want to avoid this one for a while if you’re cutting back caffeine.

Leafhopper

Derk, I thought that might be the case. I’ve been trying to drink caffeinated teas only in the morning, though I’m not sure it’s helping me sleep.

derk

If you want any suggestions beyond reduced tea consumption, let me know. I hate to hear of you suffering. Take care <3

Leafhopper

I think my bout of insomnia is due to stress and inactivity, as I’ve been avoiding going outside due to this COVID nuisance. However, suggestions are welcome.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

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Bio

This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. And thus I step away.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile. Terpene fiend.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, Nepal and Darjeeling. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possess off flavors/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s pu’er, I likely think it needs more age.

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California, USA

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