Smooth Operator.
Overall no strong smell, hunches of: smokiness, barnyard, campfire, faint floral notes, hints of sweetness
The first infusion presented a silky and velvety mouthfeel with a gentle rich body. Herbal notes of ginseng or licorice wood emerged, accompanied by a soft sweetness reminiscent of rock sugar or brown sugar. But all of those notes are more a hunch, there is no particular flavour standing out. Its more about the mouthfeel than the taste. Following steeps revealed dried fruit notes alongside a subtle woodiness. The overall taste is characterized by its softness, smoothness, lack of bitterness or astringency, and velvety feel. A mellow and dark brew develops, with a slight stickiness to the sweetness and liquor like feel. A slight medicinal note is also present. Later infusions exhibited a hunch of resin, adding complexity to the flavor profile and a hunch of cooling sensation.
Comforting and centering, like a calm grown up.
First time tasting a tea from the Bingdao area â and itâs enjoyable! While it doesnât present a distinct flavor profile, or high complexity, it offers a thick, smooth sweetness and a calm, mature character. No tangyness, nor Astringency. It feels grounded and quietly expressiveâlike a tea that has something to say, even if it speaks softly.
I brewed it in a zini pot this time; next round Iâll try a hongni or shiboridashi to see if a less porous clay might bring out more higher notes.
Nice smooth and sweet tea!