November 20th, 2020
The maocha I had on hand has changed massively over the year and is now visually darker, fruity and sweet without any of the green 'asparagus' character from when the maocha was very fresh. The cha qi is also surprisingly powerful. I am almost out of this tea and will restock from my supplier in Kunming soon. This tea has really held up beautifully and opened up wonderfully over the year.
This is a lovely fresh maocha of mixed grades from a renowned producer in Yunnan. There is everything from tips to broken mid-grade leaves in the blend. The dry leaf has an interesting floral/fruity aroma that reminds me somewhat of Jingmai maocha. After the first rinse, I get a note that reminds me of asparagus, which is a first in maocha for me!
The liquor is sweetly aromatic and thick. While not very complex, there is pleasant and light
kuwei (sweetness that follows bitterness). There are floral and fruity flavors in the cup as the liquor cools (something like orchid/osmanthus), as well as some cantaloupe. This tea is definitely not very bitter at all. There is some asparagus in the cup as well, which makes for an interesting drinking experience, coupled with the sweet aroma and
kuwei! As the liquor cools, I also detect some umami.
The cha qi is nice and calming, which is often the case with fresh maocha, and why I love drinking it! Fresh maocha has green tea-like effects, along with the exotic aromas and flavors you only get from pu erh. Last year I said I'd be switching to maocha for my morning greens, and considering how much fresh maocha I've purchased recently, that definitely seems to be the case.
This maocha is excellent value and I'll definitely be bringing some home for my own consumption!