TN: 2005 Haiwan Lao Tong Zhi Beeng

I got this from Jing Tea Shop about 2 years ago. Green 350g cake. I tried
it when I first got it, but all I could taste was astringency and smoke, so
I let it sleep.

I tasted it last night. Fairly hot water, gaiwan, perhaps 2 teaspoons of
tea broken off the edge. Hot, there's still smoke, but now I'm getting a
woody (as in old furniture) taste and smell. Interesting earthy (but not
the dirt of a shu) taste, too. I've heard people try to describe an odd
sensation in the back of the throat when drinking pu, and I noticed it on
the first steep - not so much on the later ones.

As the tea cools I getting a perfumed, almost incense-like note in the nose.

Like children, this is starting to get interesting as it gets older. I'd
expect the edges of the disc beengs to oxidise more quickly than the thicker
centers - do other's experience tally with that?

I'm an egg when it comes to pu, but I'm going to enjoy watching this beeng
age.

Regards,
Dean

Interesting review. Has anyone noticed this tea's problems?

Kevo

> "Earthy note": did you ever smell fully composted leaves?  There is a bit of
> dry leaf smell, but also a fresh garden soil smell; sometimes in wine it's
> called "forest floor".  In moderation this flavor/odor adds to the overall
> complexity of the tea (or wine).
>
> "odd sensation at the back of the throat": hard to describe - sort of
> tingly, but mixed with a slight numbness like novocaine.  This sensation was
> fleeting and I only noticed it on the first steep.  I'm sure I've read other
> people's comments noticing this and trying to describe it.  Perhaps it's
> just the residual pesticide, for all I know, although I did give it a brief
> (~5 sec) rinse. :)
>
> Dean

Hi Dean

Numbness & a tingly sensation might be normal, but it might also be a
sign that the tea has gone through high heat treatment.
My suggestion is that you keep trying this tea once every 6 months &
notate the experience. If there is a decline in the nuance of this tea
(strong flavors, shorter nuance), then this tea has not much storage
value.

My Lao Tong Zhi maintains much of the smokey note, but tastes flatter
each time I sample it, coupled with a green tea grassiness. Not good.

Kevo