Today I am reviewing Verdant Tea 2018 Shou Mei & Mandarin Peel Dragon Pearls.
Apparently this is an aged shou mei white tea pressed into dragon pearls with chenpi (aged mandarin peel).
Brand: Verdant Tea / Wu Family
Tea: Shou Mei & Mandarin Peel Dragon Pearls
Harvest: Spring, 2018
Location: Wuyangcun, Xiapu, Fujian, China
Elevation: 600 Meters
Tea Varietal: Da Bai
Table of Contents
Review
I decided to brew this tea in a small glass pitcher using bottled water.
First Steep
Steeped for 30 seconds.
The mandarin is certainly the dominant flavor, but it is fairly light, accompanied by a certain earthiness.
Not much color has shown either.
Second Steep
Steeped for 40 seconds.
The color is now a bit darker.
It has become a bit tart and almost drinks sort of like it’s food, rather then a beverage.
I can’t say it is the most flavorful tea I’ve ever had, but something about it makes me want to drink it.
It feels nourishing.
Flavor notes: Mandarin orange, tart, earth, sweet soil, and minerals.
Third Steep
Steeped for 1 minute.
The flavor hasn’t changed much compared to the second steep.
Conclusion
I really enjoy this tea, but I don’t know exactly why.
It’s not the most complex tasting tea, and it doesn’t in theory bring much to the table, but it has this food-like quality that makes me crave each sip.
