Deep reddish brown color, and very clear. More delicate than typical for a Shou Mei, but still fairly rich and full. Very smooth flavor; no bitterness, and a clean, cool aftertaste.

Unlike Upton's other Shou Mei's for which I found the brewing instructions to be right on, this one I like to brew differently. I brew it much longer (10+min.) and at a slightly higher temperature than recommended (only slightly--this tea scalds easily).

This brings out, in my opinion, a slightly more complex aroma: particularly, there is a sharp, pungent, clean herbal quality that comes through at slightly higher temperatures, that I find makes a good addition to the warmer characteristics of this tea. Brewing it much longer makes it more richly aromatic, it does not add any astringency or bitterness or any unpleasant characters.

About twice the price of Upton's three lower-grade Shou Mei teas (ZW20, ZW23, ZW62). It's hard to say whether I prefer this or ZW23 (my fav. of those three). In my opinion the only thing you are getting by paying more for this tea is a cleaner taste with much less astringency.

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