This is the second of three products from Essence of Tea of which I bought a tong, this year. It comes in a close second to the Mansai.
Bangwai is in the Jingmai area, which is a region that I usually appreciate. As always, the maocha looks delicious, and well-treated. The aroma is a healthily strong green.
Highly energetic, clean, and sweet, this turns out a beautiful yellow soup (pictured below). It is so very thick on the lips, with a resounding kuwei [bitterness] that swells and leaves the mouth watering long after the swallow.
I like Jingmai for its dry nuttiness, of which there is plenty to be found in this production: it reminded me somewhat of the skin that grows around hazelnuts, mixed in with its buttery sweetness.
As with the Mansai, I have no doubt from the contents of the cup that this is a product of good origin. Old-tree tea is never rough, just clean, sweet, potent, and, somehow, just more. More of everything.
"Powerful but complex", notes Lei. It lasts very well, and is easily worth the £25 asking price, in my estimation. This is good Jingmai.
2 comments:
I find it remarkably (and perhaps strangely?) comforting to read your Nada-tea tasting findings are so similar to mine. I placed the Bangwai above the jingmai but as I said in a previous comment, it was a close thing. I'd put money on what your third tea choice is ;-)
Nada should be able to pay a month's rent/mortgage with your purchase alone. Ha! I am dreaming about the prices he charged for last year's tea now. Fair Play though, his 2010 tea is worth every penny IMHO.
Just to add a slightly different point of view -- for what it's worth -- I prefer Nada's Bangwai to Mansai: powerful qi & C, but unfolding his beauties in a more complex and variegated way.
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