TeaForum.org

Farmer Leaf released quite a few teas this spring and summer. My favorite of the one of those I have tried have been the Jingmai Gulan. I am quite curious what others think of these teas?

I tried the Jingmai Gulan and Miyun.
I found them both to be really nice. Strong dried fruit flavor (is this the orchid that they speak of?). The Gulan was much better balanced between body, high and lower notes. Very well put together tea. The Miyun had more bitterness and "bite". I like stronger teas like this, personally. It's not as elegant and sophisticated as the Gulan. But packed a bigger punch.

The longevity of both was similar. I got a little more out of the Gulan, but only in the 12-15 steep realm. Not a 20 steeper here.

I am very new to sheng (~2 years). I dont have much experience or insight as to how these teas will age. They have some decent body and a little bitterness that might withstand time, but I suspect all the delicate floral, dried fruit flavors will fade in a couple of years. These seem like teas that should be enjoyed now.

The Miyun is $55 for a 375g cake. I think I'll grab one and see how it ages. The $188 for the Gulan is a little steep for me. I'm hesitant to buy expensive young sheng with not knowing: 1) what to look for in good young sheng 2) if my humidor storage will produce good aged tea.

I also picked up a sample of Bulang Neng Noy. Definitely a more powerful tea. This tastes more like young sheng that I've had before. Its bitter and green and not super enjoyable, lol. I'm guessing that this is how a well aged tea should start it's long journey. I started sweating around steep 5

I might grab a cake of the Neng Noy to age next to the Miyun. It will be interesting to track how they age differently.

Free shipping to US took about a month.

Assuming that price reflects quality in this case, then going for the more expensive young sheng is still wiser in my opinion: cheap young sheng will be bad for your health and it won’t produce a better tea when aged. Chances are that a more expensive sheng is more palatable in its youth and more likely will not become worse over time.

I like to compare it to humans: a young idiot, with progressing age will just become an old idiot - not a wise sage. Base material counts.

Bok wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 19, 2020 1:08 am

Assuming that price reflects quality in this case, then going for the more expensive young sheng is still wiser in my opinion: cheap young sheng will be bad for your health and it won’t produce a better tea when aged. Chances are that a more expensive sheng is more palatable in its youth and more likely will not become worse over time.

Just found this comment, but in what way would cheap young sheng bad be your your health?

Tea Adventures wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 04, 2020 5:00 am

Bok wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 19, 2020 1:08 am

Assuming that price reflects quality in this case, then going for the more expensive young sheng is still wiser in my opinion: cheap young sheng will be bad for your health and it won’t produce a better tea when aged. Chances are that a more expensive sheng is more palatable in its youth and more likely will not become worse over time.

Just found this comment, but in what way would cheap young sheng bad be your your health?

Try it on an empty stomach... it’s quite obvious how the body reacts badly to it.

Or talk to people who need to drink maocha and young sheng as sellers to check the aging potential...

Bok wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 19, 2020 1:11 am

I like to compare it to humans: a young idiot, with progressing age will just become an old idiot - not a wise sage. Base material counts.

Gold .. pure Gold

Bok wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 04, 2020 5:59 am

Or talk to people who need to drink maocha and young sheng as sellers to check the aging potential...

...not sure how that will help judge aging potential man...

Age is an acquired taste muahahaha

StoneLadle wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 04, 2020 6:15 am

Bok wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 19, 2020 1:11 am

I like to compare it to humans: a young idiot, with progressing age will just become an old idiot - not a wise sage. Base material counts.

Gold .. pure Gold

+1

StoneLadle wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 04, 2020 6:15 am

Bok wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 04, 2020 5:59 am

Or talk to people who need to drink maocha and young sheng as sellers to check the aging potential...

...not sure how that will help judge aging potential man...

Age is an acquired taste muahahaha

I think I'm aging well... hahaha....