Review of Traditional Process Dian Hong Black Tea of Feng Qing

AromaFlavorValueTotal
10 of 105 of 55 of 595 of 100
OutstandingExcellentOutstanding

A delightful and robust tea that I could happily drink day after day, and that has been one of my favorite teas to start the day with lately.

I found this tea interesting to compare to the "Classic 58" which I also ordered in the same batch. It looks very different in terms of leaf appearance, but is surprisingly similar. I think I prefer it though, and it's also easier to brew.

The dry leaf is curly and has a beautiful fragrance, malty and floral. It smells very similar to the aroma of the Classic 58 but I find is perhaps a bit stronger and slightly more complex.

Cup has a gentle, floral aroma, but a strong, crisp flavor. The overall character is also similar to the Classic 58, but I find it slightly bolder tasting and more aromatic. There are more floral and herbaceous notes in the aroma, and it's a lot less malty than the aroma of the dried leaf suggests, but there is still considerable maltiness. There are also "barnyard" notes...it smells a bit earthy and dirty, but in a good way, and also some "fiery" notes, like it's toasty and has a hint of smoke.

Really satisfying mouthfeel. This is a bit on the astringent side, but never too much for me. Makes an outstanding breakfast tea, easy to brew (tastes great both stronger or weaker), and resteeps well. If you drink it slowly in a big mug, I recommend stirring because some of the astringency can sink to the bottom of the cup. Besides that it's pretty ideal for me.

This is a bit of a "rough and tumble" tea that I could imagine not everyone would like: it has a potency and astringency that lovers of more delicate teas may find a bit harsh, but it also has some more earthy and vegetal notes. But I love all of these qualities.

I also love how I feel after drinking it. Picture like a soft, gentle awakening in which you become energized in a deep, sustaining way. And, as is the norm with Yunnan Sourcing, the price is great. Yunnan Sourcing says that this tea ages well; the problem with that is that it's so good I don't think it's gonna last more than a few months. I may buy a lot more next time if I actually want to hang onto some.

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