Tasting of China Green Da Hao
amllist
David Hoffman, I bought what David described as "sleeper"
new green tea.This tea has been reported previously by both
Peter B. and Holly H-B.
Vendor - Silk Road - no Web site. Phone- 415-488-9015. Talk
to David or leave message for him.
Dry leaf - Long (1"0), twisted thin, olive green and some
white.uniform, beautiful, low-density leaf.
Wet leaf - Olive green, long, thin leaves, few stems,
very high-grade, perfect leaves, uniform.that
float (Specific gravity <1, on the water through 3
steepings.
Water - Crystal Geyser natural alpine water bottled at
the source, California, Sierra Nevada Mts.
Steeping Method - 2 Gaiwans (one for steeping, pour liquor into
second) , chop with lid during steep to provide
mixing, lid never completely closed. Hot water
never poured directly on leaf, but on interior
side of gaiwan.
Sample 1 -3.0 g/ 6 oz of water,
Steep 1, of sample 1 - 2 1/2 min,, 160.0 F (71 C)
Color - Clear, tinge of yellow green.
Aroma - Sweet.
Taste - Light sweet..
Steep 2, of sample 1 - 2 1/2 min, 170.0 F (77 C),
Color - Clear, pale yellow green.
Aroma - Floral sweet, distinctive.
Taste - Sweet, light vegetal, refreshing.
Steep 3 of sample 1 - 2 1/2 min., 180.0 F (82 C).
Color - Pale yellow green.
Aroma - Stronger (than steep 2) floral sweet, distinctive.
Taste - Sweet, light vegetal..
Sample 2 - 3.0 g /6 oz of water 175 F (79 C)
Steep 1, of sample 2 - 2 1/2 min,
Color - Clear, pale yellow amber..
Aroma - Distinctive, floral sweet.
Taste - Sweet floral over a light vegetal layer...
Steep 2 of sample 2 - 3 min
Color - Clear, pale yellow.
Aroma - Distinctive, floral.,
Taste - Distinctive, sweet floral over a light vegetal
base.
Aftertaste - Lingering light astringency.
Steep 3 of sample 2 - 3 1/2 min
Color - Pale yellow, tinge of green, clear .
Aroma - Wonderfully sweet floral..
Taste - Distinctive sweet floral over a light vegetal base,
rich, substantial, hint of spice.
Aftertaste - Lingering light astringency with a hint of
sweetness and spice lingering on the tongue.
Conclusions -
Holly H-B says " Taste is quite sweet, but with a balance of what I think
of as a hint of lemony pungency...and yet not at all overly astringent.
This tea has both a gentle edge, an almost tropical flower nectar hint of
sweet...and yet also a serious depth and fullness. You aren't hunting
around (if you use enough leaf!) to try and "find" a flavor/aroma that is
so subtle you have to fill in with your imagination. This tea is very
there, yet not "in your face." Beautiful cup of green."
Peter B says," Very heady aroma... a beautiful combination of gently
sweet floral and a vegetable/broth depth. I am reminded of a recent batch
of Drum Mt. Cloud and Mist. Dry leaf is the long, fluffy needle style...
very voluminous. Gorgeous leaf."
1. At first I estimated the optimum brewing temperature
with 2 1/2 min steeps, 3g / 6 oz of water, at 160 F,
170 F, and 180 F; deciding to continue at 175 F (79 C).
2. At 175 F, 3 g/ 6 oz of water, 3 1/2 min., the aroma
is wonderfully sweet floral; the taste is distinctive
sweet floral over a light vegetal base, rich,
substantial, with a hint of spice. The aftertaste is a
lingering light astringency with a hint of sweetness
and spice lingering on the tongue.
Alan M. Liebschutz