Country of Origin: China
Leaf Appearance: dark greenish, needle-like
Ingredients: green
Steep time: 3 minutes
Water Temperature: 175 degrees
Preparation Method: glass teapot
Liquor: pale gold
I’ve tried a few different purple teas over the years but never a green one from Yunnan. The look of these leaves drew me to them immediately. They were comprised of mostly whole buds and had the most unusual color. I wouldn’t quite call it purple but they were very dark for a green tea. I wasn’t able to snap a picture but they were really beautiful while brewing. Many of the buds floated vertically and danced about in the pot. The taste was a bit unique for a green tea as well. While there was some grassiness it stayed in the background. Floral notes and a hint of smoke dominated the first infusion. The smokiness softened up a bit on subsequent brews, giving way to a subtle fruitness. These leaves resteeped well enough for me to make another pot or two. I recommend keeping them covered with a bit of water in between infusions to keep the strength going.
For more about purple tea, check out my article on The Daily Tea – Purple Tea: Innovation or Hype?
Yunnan Graceful Purple ‘Zi Juan’ Purple Varietal Green Tea sample provided by What-Cha.