In a recent post I shared with you some information about Anji Bai Cha.

The dry leaves…

Were very long, slender, delicate and needle-shaped, and were a light greenish yellow color. They resembled pine needles and I thought and were very elegant. The dry leaves smelt beautiful – fresh, grassy, and perhaps a little toasty, with faint notes of grain or bread, also with a hint of asparagus?  They suggested both a sweet and savory flavor.

Brewing…

I measured out about a teaspoon and a half of leaves for a cup of water at about 170 degrees Fahrenheit – I used one of my small Yixing pots. The first infusion was just short of two minutes.

In my cup…

The first infusion…The tea liquor was an amazingly light pale green, almost colorless, but with the bright clarity of a classic high grown mountain tea. The aroma was incredibly gentle and “green” – delicate and very fresh – a mellow blend of a fruit like sweetness – and of course a vegetal presence. The flavor was mild, surprisingly sweet, and at the same time lightly savory. It was light, and refreshing with just the teeniest tiniest hint of a slight mouth -watering astringency.  I noticed now more of green beans and fresh vegetation, instead of the asparagus I noted before. It was velvety smooth, with a clean/pure flavor, and a buttery sort of taste that was straight-forward.

The second infusion was much like the first, with the same flavors and aromas and maybe slightly more herbaceous and vegetal. Maybe a tiny bit of honey aroma?

Anji Bai Cha offered a very clean and light liquor with a hint of pale greenish color, accompanied by the most refreshingly delicate and soothing cup. It was full-bodied, with a pleasant astringency. The taste was smooth and mellow with a somewhat sweet after taste. In the end – Anji Bai Cha tastes like an archetype of all Chinese greens, in a fresh a good way. Overall a very clean-tasting and drinkable tea. I recommend this tea for people who like green, light tea, refreshing tea, and sweeter greens over more astringent ones. A beautiful tea for those who want the experience of a green tea without the sharp grassiness found in other styles.

As you know I am not a fan of green tea, but this rated a 4 minus,  I liked it, but would not purchase it again.  I think the remainder of it will be on the table for our Annual Tea Exchange in January.  I know several people who love green tea and they will have to probably draw lots to see who will take Anji Bai Cha home with them!

Rating Scale

All teas will be rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 for dislike and 5 as love:

1. Dislike (I didn’t like the tea and would not repurchase)
2. Passable (I didn’t dislike the tea, but I didn’t think it was very good)
3. Average (I didn’t find it good or bad and would drink it again)
4. Good (I liked it but it and may repurchase)
5. Love (I enjoyed it lot and would repurchase

Next… Billy Tea

 

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