Manaslu Tippy Green

Tea plants do not grow on Manaslu, the 8th highest mountain in the world.  Manaslu or Mountain of Spirit is located in the central west part of Nepal.  Trekking is popular in the Manaslu region.   Along the many trails there are tea houses that serve meals and beverages, including Nepali spiced milk tea.

Nepali tea was first commercially planted in the Ilam district over a century ago and has since been cultivated in many other districts.  This tea comes from the foothills close to Manaslu and is designated as a green tea.  However, it can easily be mistaken for a first flush Darjeeling black tea.   The lovely floral and citrus flavors are as good or better than a Darjeeling's.   So call me Oolong maybe...

Manaslu Tippy Green

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

Dry Leaf:  These twisted dark green leaves are tippy, toasty and floral.
Wet Leaf:  The young buds and leaves are floral.
Liquor:      The orange-colored drink is clean, refreshing, sweet, citrusy and floral.  It is lengthy in the mouth and there is some astringency just like a good first flush Darjeeling.

Tee Score: 4 out of 5

Huang Shan Yun Wu

The well-known Lu Shan Yun Wu (Lu Mountain Cloud Mist) tea is from Jiangxi province, China.  This Yun Wu is grown in the foothills of Huang Shan or Yellow Mountain in Anhui province, China.

Huang Shan is renown for its majestic scenery and is a UNESCO world heritage site.  Its mountain range has some peeks towering over 1800 meters and shrouded in clouds. Huang Shan has always been a favorite subject in Chinese arts and literature.

Huang Shan Yun Wu lives up to its name; it is soft and heavenly.  It may contain more theanine as it is sweet and uplifting.  Everything about the tea is light.  It is a perfect Spring beverage.

Huang Shan Yun Wu

Type:  Green      Producing Country: China   Preparation:  85°C 2 Min

Dry Leaf:  The olive-green wiry leaves have a faint smell of hay.
Wet Leaf:  The tender young buds and leaves are soft and savory.
Liquor:      The tea color is pale-straw.  It is light, smooth and delicate.  Its sweetness is honey-like with a floral or cashew base note.   Almost no astringency is detected.

Tee Score: 4 out of 5