Verdant Tea

2021 Original Tieguanyin Revival

2021 Original Tieguanyin Revival

CURRENTLY OUT OF STOCK
banner
Loading...

Crafted By Master Zhang

Master Zhang’s family has tended the Tieguanyin of Daping Village for generations. His tea is fed by sweet mountain springs and grows on the cloud-enveloped peaks of Anxi.
  • true
    savory
    75
    basmati, sweet potato
    true
    spice
    75
    cardamom
    true
    floral
    85
    saffron, lilac
    true
    fruit
    55
    grapefruit
    true
    vegetal
    40
    fresh mint, basil
    true
    juicy, lingering aromatics

    Tasting Profile

    • savory - basmati, sweet potato
    • spice - cardamom
    • floral - saffron, lilac
    • fruit - grapefruit
    • vegetal - fresh mint, basil
    • texture - juicy, lingering aromatics
    • DATE OF PICKINGSpring 2021
    • Daping VillageAnxi, Fujian
    • ELEVATION1000 M
    • TieguanyinTea Varietal

    This unusual tea is based on Master Zhang's ongoing research into early Anxi oolong teas with a half-rolled / half strip-style shape, and a very meticulous turning and fluffing process that goes further than most modern tea would. In this experimental offering, he applies this research to the Tieguanyin varietal and provides enough roast for a deep, rich aroma. The result is a very well-balanced tea full of toasted sweetness, delicious complexity, and a juicy, lingering aftertaste.



Zhang Rongde also recommends:

  1. 1990 Aged Tieguanyin
    1990 Aged Tieguanyin
    This limited 1990 harvest of aged Tieguanyin stands out as unique from the others because the leaves were hand-processed by Master Zhang using traditional Oolong Revival style, where one end of leaf is slightly curled and the other is extended. Master Zhang describes the shape as a ‘dragonfly’. These leaves were turned and fluffed three times the normal standard for modern Tieguanyin. The result of this unique processing and the 25 years of age creates a deep shu pu’er-like earthy flavor most similar to the clean fermentation of Xingyang shu pu’ers. We have never tasted anything like this in an oolong. It has the foresty richness of shu pu’er but the sweet caramel aftertaste of oolong.
  2. 2022 Yun Xiang Tieguanyin
    2022 Yun Xiang Tieguanyin
    Yun is a complex concept. While it can be literally translated as “charm," the yun of a tea is more than simple appeal – yun is what makes the tea powerful and lingering beyond the common concept of aftertaste. Only the finest teas have a perceptible quality that would be described by professional Chinese tasters as yun. While there is no complete agreement on how to put "yun" into words, we notice a light cooling sensation and a tingling almost electrical texture on teas that have yun. This feeling builds up with every sip, making subsequent steepings more and more commanding. Master Zhang creates this through careful charcoal roasting over several long sessions and many days, relying on his experience and senses to get the finish perfectly right.
  3. 2005 Aged Wulong Revival
    2005 Aged Wulong Revival
    The “Dragonfly” style was the most traditional oolong finishing technique in Anxi before the rolled ball became popular. Master Zhang has been experimenting with this style for years as part of his work as a teacher and community leader for other farmers in Daping. Every year Master Zhang sets aside any interesting standouts for long term aging, which requires re-roasting every year to keep the moisture level as low as possible. The slow process of change brings out deep complexity and dark sweet undertones over many years. Master Zhang is sharing a portion of his personal reserve from early experiments for his revival project, giving us the chance to taste the first truly aged Revival Style Anxi oolong from Daping.
  • 'Master Zhang calls these teas his little experiments, and this year-long work means he is always working to challenge himself, collaborate, learn and explore. These teas don’t make it to market, shared only within a close personal network of trusted friends. Out of all of his experiments this autumn, Master Zhang hand picked these five new teas to share with all of you'

  • 5
    6-8
    208
    20 seconds
    10
    5
    6
    208
    6 seconds
    3
    5
    12
    room temp
    8 hours

    Steeping Instructions

    Western

    5 g.6-8
    oz.
    use 208° watersteep 20 secondsresteep many times
    add 10 sec. each infusion

    Gongfu

    5 g.6 ozuse 208° watersteep 6 seconds
    add 3 sec. per steeping
    enjoy many steepings

    Iced/Cold

    5 g.12
    oz.
    use room temp. waterrefrigerate overnight
    8 hours
    add ice & enjoy

Product Photo Gallery