Huangshan Mao Feng from Life in Teacup
Huangshan Mao Feng has the special distinction of being of China’s famous Tribute Teas, teas which were hand-picked by Chinese emperors to become their tea of choice.
Huangshan is a mountain range in southern Anhui Province, and as such, Huangshan Mao Feng is a location-specific tea. Mao feng is produced elsewhere (I will be reviewing one from Zhejiang Province later this week), but Huangshan Mao Feng can be considered the heartland of mao feng teas.
Life in Teacup’s mao feng (received as a free sample) is markedly different to that of Oriental Tea House. The latter was characterized by long, spindly leaves twisted into curling shapes, while today’s mao feng features much smaller leaves. There are also many more pairs, suggesting that this might be a truer example of the mao feng variety.
The most surprising aspect of this tea is its similarity to genmaicha. While it is much lighter in flavour, and is not astringent in the least, it has a mild roasted flavour that reminded Bec and I of the Japanese green. But it also has a sweetness – a nutty, gentle sweetness – that was absent in the mao feng from Oriental Tea House.
As with yesterday’s mao feng, the character of Life in Teacup’s mao feng is light and mild ? the word “serene” comes to mind. One to drink and be still with.
You can get 2010 pre-Qingming Huang Shan Mao Feng from Life in Teacup. Browse more tea from Life in Teacup in the Marketplace.