derk Send Message

197 Followers / 145 Following

20
drank Sweet Potato Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong Black Tea by Yunnan Sourcing
1548 tasting notes

Spring 2019 harvest from Leafhopper, thanks for sharing :)

The scent of the leaf both in bag and in hand is admirable in its spicy and floral characteristics that complement dry-roasted sweet potato, speculoos cookies, black grapes, rye and chocolate. And then there’s the warmed leaf which is an intense, rich mix of earthy, sweet and spicy chocolate-rye, red apple, varnish and cooked carrot.

Soft cocoa aroma in the cup.

First few sips are like drinking a raw, starchy sweet potato. It is astringent and medium-bodied but without much structure to the taste. I get a sour tomato-like finish followed by aromatic allspice aftertaste. When tea has cooled several degrees, it tastes morel like a mix of cooked potatoes, squash and carrots with a hint of clove and nutmeg. Tannic but not heavy; overwhelmingly drying.

Second cup is thin, savory and toasty, strangely sweet. Third goes back to only savory and is with the rye and malt impressions. I also notice fleeting mandarin orange and a hint of caramel before that sour tomato taste-feeling in the finish takes over. A flash of mouth cooling. Fourth infusion is earthy and sour.

Overall, there are some really nice components to the tea but it is severely disjointed and painfully drying. I suspect this tea is roasted with sugarcane and possibly has flavoring applied because of the way the rich and spicy scents do not translate to taste but then show up again briefly in the aftertaste. If I hadn’t taken the time to smell the dry and warmed leaf this tea would’ve been a big disappointment. I agree more with the assessments here on Steepster rather than at Yunnan Sourcing.

Flavors: Allspice, Astringent, Brown Sugar, Caramel, Carrot, Chocolate, Clove, Cocoa, Drying, Earth, Flat, Grapes, Mandarin, Nutmeg, Orchid, Potato, Red Apple, Rye, Savory, Sour, Squash, Sweet, Sweet Potatoes, Tannin, Thin, Tomato

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 0 min, 30 sec 5 g 3 OZ / 100 ML
2 comments
Edit
Leafhopper
Delete

I’m embarrassed to say I haven’t tried this tea yet. I just thought it would be something you’d like. Maybe Yunnan Sourcing isn’t the place to go for lapsangs.

derk
Delete

I do see a review from you! The aromas were spectacular, so I am grateful that your generosity allowed me to try this tea on a chilly morning :)

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

People who liked this

Comments

Leafhopper
Delete

I’m embarrassed to say I haven’t tried this tea yet. I just thought it would be something you’d like. Maybe Yunnan Sourcing isn’t the place to go for lapsangs.

derk
Delete

I do see a review from you! The aromas were spectacular, so I am grateful that your generosity allowed me to try this tea on a chilly morning :)

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Profile

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.

bicycle bicycle bicycle

Location

California, USA

Following These People

See More

Moderator Tools

Mark as Spammer