Hui Long Zhai is in the western part of Bao Shan Prefecture on the borders with Myanmar, so it is no surprise that the Assamica cultivar is grown there. Using it for green tea is a delicious and intriguing surprise. The region is mountainous and contains peaks up to 3000m. This tea comes from a garden at 2000m, and the relatively cool weather leads to a late first flush from the tea plants. The short but hot wok firing gives this tea a delightful aroma that combines well with the more astringent and stimulating mouth-feel of this Yunnan green tea.

Provenance:

• Origin: Hui Long Zhai Village, Teng Chong county, Bao Shan Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China
• Grower/Teamaster: Ji Dong Li
• Elevation: 2000 meters
• Harvest Date: Spring 2023
• Cultivar: Camellia Sinensis Assamica
• Cultivation: Natural (Organic, not certification)
• Plucking Standard: single leaf from first two leaves below buds, 15% bud
• Processing Notes:  picking, frying, rolling, wilting briefly, drying in wok by hand, roasting in oven
• Nickname: Hui Long cha

Brewing Suggestions¹:

• Water: 170-180˚F
• Tea: 2g per 4oz of water (about a level ½ TB²)
• Infusion: 2 minutes for 2-3 infusions or until tea is steeped out

Tasting Notes:

• Stimulating and astringent mouth-feel with nutty and vegetal notes.

¹ Brewing suggestions are just that. Try it the suggested way then experiment. Some tea drinkers like to use slightly hotter and longer times for each subsequent infusion. Also, try it Eastern Gong Fu style: 180˚-190˚F dosed at 1g/oz of water and infused for short times like 10 seconds, 15s, 20s, 30s, 45s, and then 60 seconds until leaves are spent.

² Weighing your tea is always the best way to control your dosage. I provide approximate volume measures for convenience but they can be problematic due to the variance in tea leaf shape and size. It’s best to use the single appropriate volume measure for the tea, i.e., don’t try to measure 1.5TB using two spoons meant to measure 1 TB and a ½ TB. Use an actual 1.5 TB measuring spoon. Yes, they make them! I like the oblong ones to handle longer leaf styles.