Chun (Zhen) Mei

Do the eyebrows serve a purpose or are they an esthetic feature?  According to Face Reading, the shape of eyebrows may reveal one's personality. 

For Chun (Zhen) Mei or precious eyebrows,  the higher-end tea would have leaves that are similar in size and that look like crescent-shaped eyebrows.  This organic Chun Mei has some broken 'eyebrows'. 

There are other Chinese teas named 'eyebrows'.  Two examples are Sow Mei (longevity eyebrows) and Gong Mei (tribute eyebrows).

Chun Mei

 Type:  Green     Producing Country:  China      Preparation:  85°C 3 Min

Dry Leaf:  The thin curved needles do look like tiny eyebrows.  They are slightly smoky and herbaceous. 

Wet Leaf:  The wet leaves are also smoky and herbaceous.   

Liquor:      The amber tea is quite astringent.  The astringency is long in the mouth but then plum flavor emerges.  It is refreshing.   

Tee Score:  3 out of 5

Shan Lin Xi

Shan Lin Xi is a High Mountain Oolong.  To be classified as a High Mountain Oolong in Taiwan, a tea must be grown minimum 1000 meters (3300 feet) above sea level. Other Taiwan High Mountain Oolongs include Li Shan, Ali Shan and Yu Shan teas.   High Mountain Oolongs, in general, contain more amino acids and have lower oxidation levels.

Shan Lin Xi is a mountain location in Nantou county of Taiwan and is around 1800 meters above sea level.  It is an area often surrounded by clouds and mists, which build tea character.         





Shan Lin Xi

Type:  Oolong     Producing Country:  Taiwan      Preparation:  90°C 4 Min

Dry Leaf:  The medium and green semi-rolled pearls are buttery. 
Wet Leaf:  The wet leaves are savory and vegetal. 
Liquor:      The lime green tea is light, refreshing and savory for the first infusion.  The second or the third infusion is a little bit floral.   The aftertaste is reminiscent of a bamboo forest.   

Tee Score:  4 out of 5
 

Li Shan Cui Feng

Li Shan Cui Feng or Pear Mountain Jade Peak is a High Mountain Oolong.   It is grown in the Cui Feng area, at an altitude around 1800 to 2000 meters, near Pear Mountain in Taiwan.

In addition to high quality teas, Li Shan region also produces pears, apples and peaches.        




Type:  Oolong     Producing Country:  Taiwan      Preparation:  90°C 4 Min

Dry Leaf:  The small and green semi-rolled balls are faintly floral.   
Wet Leaf:  The wet leaves are also faintly floral. 
Liquor:      The pale lime green tea is creamy,milky, floral and smooth.   It is elegantly fresh and light.   

Tee Score:  4 out of 5
 

Ali Shan Charcoal Fire Medium Roast

Ali Shan or Ali Mountain is a popular tourist destination in Taiwan.  Although Ali Shan Charcoal Roast is a High Mountain Oolong, it underwent a complex charcoal baking process.   Therefore, it brews a stronger liquor.   One can also find a 'heavy roast' version of the Oolong.      



Ali Shan

 Type:  Oolong     Producing Country:  Taiwan      Preparation:  90°C 4 Min

Dry Leaf:  The medium and dark semi-rolled chunks have interesting notes of coco and honey. 
Wet Leaf:  The wet leaves smell toasty and floral (orchid).   
Liquor:      The tea is gold-colored.  Besides roasted notes, it is not easy to identify other flavors.  It is similar to drinking a Japanese Hojicha. 

Tee Score:  3 out of 5

Arnold Palmer

Arnold Palmer won four Masters and numerous events during his long career.  He also conceived a popular thirst-quenching drink enjoyed by many. 

Palmer started ordering an iced tea/lemonade mix in restaurants or bars when he was playing tournaments after having dreamed it up in his kitchen one hot day.   His fans took notice and began requesting the same 'Palmer' beverage. 

An 'Arnold Palmer' is a beverage of half iced tea and half lemonade.  There are variations of this mix and some are spiked.   The Arizona Arnold Palmer Lite is a concoction of brewed black tea, glucose, lemon juice, pear juice and some natural flavors plus additives.   The beverage is light brown in color likely because lemon juice (acid) can alter the chemistry of tea and lightens it.   It has a familiar lemon iced tea flavor. 

Arnold Palmer

Mi Lan Xiang

Mi Lan Xiang (Honey Orchid Fragrance) is a Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong from Wu Dong Mountain in China.  The intense honey aroma from the first steeping can knock your socks off, and the amazing gardenia flavor from subsequent infusions may charm your pants off.   It is a great oolong that reveals layers of flavor.       

Mi Lan Xiang

Type:  Oolong     Producing Country: China      Preparation:  90°C 4 Min

Dry Leaf:  The dark wiry leaves are very fruity and honey.   The scents can be described as guava and lychee fruits. 
Wet Leaf:  The wet leaves are very sweet and floral   
Liquor:      The amber tea is honey sweet for the first infusion.  Afterwards, it is mostly floral (gardenia).    

Tee Score:  5 out of 5

Mao Jian

Mao Jian or Fur Tip is similar in meaning to Mao Feng - both referring to the down- covered buds.  Mao Jian has slightly curled and thinner needles.  It has also been cultivated for centuries but in Henan Province.  

According to legend, nine fairies bestowed this tea on mortals.  Therefore, watch out for the dancing fairies when you brew the tea. 

Mao Jian

 Type:  Green Tea  Producing Country: China      Preparation:  85°C 2.5 Min

Dry Leaf:  Both the silver and green needles are slightly curled.  They are herbaceous but at the same time fruity.
Wet Leaf:  The leaves are vegetal.
Liquor:      The apricot-colored tea is creamy, light, sweet and (green bean) vegetal.  It has a pleasant lingering aftertaste.  

Tee Score: 4 out of 5

Huang Shan Mao Feng

Huang Shan Mao Feng or Yellow Mountain Fur Peak is one of the ten famous Chinese teas.   It has been grown and produced in Yellow Mountain, Anhui province for centuries.   Young leaves and buds are harvested in April for processing into Mao Feng.   'Fur Peak' is in reference to the white hairs covering the fresh leaves and the shape of the leaves, which are supposed to look like mountain peaks. 

Mao Feng

Type:  Green Tea  Producing Country: China      Preparation:  85°C 3 Min

Dry Leaf:  The straight green needles are spicy and herbaceous.
Wet Leaf:  The leaves smell like arugula.   
Liquor:      The tea is pale apricot yellow.  It is refreshing and clean with an arugula flavor note.  It has a nice lingering aroma.   

Tee Score: 4 out of 5