2008 Dancong Milan AAA
Posted on 17 February 2009
A pretty orchid
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Following yesterday’s post, here’a another Dancong from Jing Tea: the 2008 Dancong Milan AAA. Milan = Honey Orchid. A colloquial name apparently, since honey orchid doesn’t seem to be used outside the tea world. Milan Dancongs are usually among the lightest, most floral types as opposed to the darker-coloured, spicy Huangzhi styles.
Brewed in: zisha teapot
Dosage: 2.5g / 120ml
Dry leaf: rather smallish, straight and twisted. Considerably darker in colour than the AAA Yulan from Jing reviewed yesterday. Lovely aroma of orange spice and roasted almonds.
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Infusion #1.
Tasting notes:
30s: Aroma cup is unexceptional I must say, pleasantly scented but much less distinctive and intense than the dry leaf. A good depth of orange-amber colour, surprising at this low dosage: apparently a highish oxidation and some roast for this DC (opposite to yesterday’s Yulan). Aroma shows a bit of almond and orange but is a bit generic ‘tea’-like, although the DC character is recognisable. A pleasantly balanced tea, good concentration and intensity, with the aromatic pizzazz blended into a more complete experience. No bitterness, good length, dominated by sweet fruit. Really quite good.
30s: As above, slightly less aromatic as often, but a characterful tea.
3m: Despite the lengthy brewing time this is really unbitter, confirming the excellent balance of this tea. Expressive, typical, utterly satisfying, this is a brilliantly made DC for a decent price ($32 / 100g).-770853.JPG)
30s: Aroma cup is unexceptional I must say, pleasantly scented but much less distinctive and intense than the dry leaf. A good depth of orange-amber colour, surprising at this low dosage: apparently a highish oxidation and some roast for this DC (opposite to yesterday’s Yulan). Aroma shows a bit of almond and orange but is a bit generic ‘tea’-like, although the DC character is recognisable. A pleasantly balanced tea, good concentration and intensity, with the aromatic pizzazz blended into a more complete experience. No bitterness, good length, dominated by sweet fruit. Really quite good.
30s: As above, slightly less aromatic as often, but a characterful tea.
3m: Despite the lengthy brewing time this is really unbitter, confirming the excellent balance of this tea. Expressive, typical, utterly satisfying, this is a brilliantly made DC for a decent price ($32 / 100g).