Cultivar: Qinxin Dapang
Harvested by hand: Summer 2024
Origin: Beipu. Hsin Chu county, Taiwan
Process: Jassid bitten buds, high oxidized, in stripes and light/medium roast. Competition brewing (3 grams, 6 minutes)
1. View
The dry leaves are very small. Most are white buds or black with some dark red leaves. The brew has a very clear and bright orange color. The open leaves are small and mostly red, which means a high oxidation level.
2. Scents
These freshly processed Oriental Beauty leaves still smell a little bit muted and dry due to the recent roast. However, they already come to life when you insert them in your preheated gaiwan and lightly shake it. Fragrances of Muscatel and honey appear. The brew displays these typical high quality Oriental Beauty honey notes in a very fresh and light way. This beautiful smell lingers on in the mouth.
3. Taste
The tea is very sweet, pure and delicious.
Conclusion: This imperial OB comes from the same farmer as the OB tradition, and it's more than twice as good! How? The leaves are smaller, it has more jassid bites and the oxidation is higher. Compared to my aged OBs, its taste feel lighter and the scents are less dark, more tea like. With time, they turn into perfume!