Country of Origin: China
Leaf Appearance: dark brown, slightly curled
Water Temperature: 212 degrees
Steep Time: 5 seconds
Preparation Method: porcelain gaiwan
Liquor: gold
One of my favorite things about oolongs is the variety that can be found within that one category, especially when it comes to dancong from China’s Phoenix Mountains. Azenbor specializes in this specific type of tea. I previously enjoyed their Ginger Flower Fragrance, so I’ve been eager to dig into their other offerings. Xing Ren is an interesting one because some people refer to it as almond, while others call it peach kernel. It turns out almonds and peaches are part of the same botanical family tree. They both contain an aromatic compound called amygdalin
Leaf
The dry leaves of Azenbor Almond Fragrance were very dark and slightly curled. I noticed a sweet and slightly smoky aroma. I prepared the tea gongfu style using a porcelain gaiwan and fully boiling water. I followed Azenbor’s recommendation for flash steeps during the first three infusions and then added 5 seconds for each subsequent infusion. This type of tea performs well when brewed in this manner. I also decided to use an aroma cup to help me appreciate the fragrance. The leaves remained fairly dark in appearance, even after brewing.
Liquor
Azenbor Almond Fragrance brewed up an amber liquor. The taste was initially smooth and nutty. It had an interesting viscosity as I noticed it coated my teeth after each sip. The second infusion had a more fruity and smokier character. A super sweet aroma was left behind in my dry cup. This tea was almost like a dessert in a cup!
As the session progressed, I picked up complex notes of peaches, dark honey, vanilla, and toasted almonds. There was no bitterness and only the slightest bit of lively astringency. I found myself still drinking even after the leaves had given their all (which took many rounds) because it still tasted really nice.
Have you tried Azenbor Almond Fragrance? Let me know your tasting notes in the comments below!
Almond Fragrance sample provided for review by Azenbor.
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