Wild Tree Purple Varietal Black Tea of Dehong

First experience with a Purple Tea.

I used 5 grams, in a just under 100ml Gaiwan. I gave it two quick rinses, and drank from the 3rd steeping on. I got a very subtle menthol note; almost like a good Red Jade from Taiwan. Beyond that, it was sweet and robust in flavor; but never strayed into the territory of being overpowering. All in all, a good first experience with a Purple tea. Next session with this tea, I’m going to kick it up to 5.5 grams. Needs just a bit more “oomph”.

1st steeping: 30 Seconds
2nd-4th, added ten seconds each time.
5th-7th, added 20 seconds each time. Kicked temp up to 200F
8th-10th, added 40 seconds. On the 9th session, I kicked the temp up to 212F
10-12, added 1 minute.
End of session.

It feels kind of weird writing a tasting note TWO YEARS after this tea was released. I must admit I do feel a bit guilty about having some of this left in my tea collection, but in my defense I bought it in December of 2014, received it in February of 2015, and forgot about it during a move in April.

I have to say it doesn’t seem to have really decreased in taste or smell at all. Of course memory can play tricks when it’s been so long so it’s possible it was better before. Still a very fruity, plummy black tea (as I think might be typical of purple varietal leaf) that lasts surprisingly long. I’m looking forward to sipping down the rest of it. Now that it has a permanent spot on my desk I’m far less likely to forget it again.

One of my favorite teas of all time.

I steep this tea over 10 times. Sometimes overnight. When I do a 2 hour+ steep it really brings out the plum flavor for me.

Love. this. tea.

Clearly I’m missing something here. I ordered Yunnan Sourcing’s Wild Tree Purple Varietal Black Tea of Dehong Spring 2014 because of the rave reviews here and elsewhere and, well, I just don’t see it. [Note: it’s hard to tell from the listing – it’s possible that the deliciousness was last year’s version and the 2014 that I have is different.] Last night, I gave it the full gaiwan multi-steep treatment and was generally underwhelmed. I found it just a tad smoky and just a tad sweet, but generally ordinary. “OK,” thought I, “Perhaps it needs a full Western steep.” So that’s what I tried this morning, a couple of heaping teaspoons in an 8 oz cup and a full 3½ minute steep. Nope, it’s still not doing anything for me. Terri and other reputable tasters love this stuff, so maybe I’ll just put it aside for a while and try again. In the meantime, I have a lot of it, so if anyone else wants to give it a shot – to confirm or debunk my impressions – just drop me a line and I’ll send some right over.

Oh yum. Thank you Terri HarpLady!

This is super rich and fruity! Very complex. This is something I would totally drink again. Sweet stuff. There are notes that remind me of a Dancong oolong. I loves me some Dancong. It is like a cross between a Dancong and a Yunnan black! I love the lingering stone fruit taste it leaves in the back of my throat.

The twisted black leaves of this tea smell like raisins and plums when dry, and the promise of stone fruit and sweetness is fully fulfilled when brewing. Surprisingly, this tea brews rather light, and doesn’t take on the bitterness that purple tea takes on when brewed carelessly. This is a free spirited and gentle tea, that allows for mistakes, and rewards with a juicy fruitiness that, while not mind-blowing, is very comforting. A good mid-morning brew to share with work colleagues, or while relaxing and reading the newspaper.
A great introduction to purple tea, and great value for the price.