Adagio Teas Kai Hua Crescendo

Country of Origin: China
Leaf Appearance: jade green, needle-like
Ingredients: green tea
Steep time: 2 minutes
Water Temperature: 180 degrees
Preparation Method: Teavana Perfect Tea Maker
Liquor: deep gold

+Adagio Teas  is well known for their fandom blends but every once in a while, they offer a straight tea that really makes me sit up and take notice. I ordered a sample pack this tea because it was a rare case of something that I haven’t tried before. Most tea lovers are familiar with Long Jing (aka Dragonwell) but not many are familiar with Long Ding (aka Dragon Peak). The aroma while brewing was intoxicating. I kept sticking my nose into the tea maker, impatiently waiting for the required two minutes to tick by. The taste was sweet and complex with a heavy floral lean. Notes of orchid and stone fruit ended in a pleasant vegetal aspect that reminded me of sugar snap peas. I even picked up some creaminess in the finish. My second infusion was just as enjoyable. There was no bitterness and hardly any astringency. I get frustrated by reviews on their website sometimes because they are so often misguided. Bitter? Grassy? Bland? This tea is none of those things!

Kai Hua Crescendo sample purchased from Adagio Teas.