2009 Zhimingdu Mengsong
A quick session this morning, as I wrap up a two-day meeting with the Mengsong mini-bing. Seasonal bounty is upon us, as our garden yields a spectral array of tomatoes. In the next few weeks we’ll need to dig the potatoes. We’re off soon to forage in the rural Rhode Island landscape for ripe raspberries and peaches, two things I could not possibly eat enough of when they’re in season. Before then, some cooling, yellow tea.
This Mengsong is such a stark contrast to the Hekai, both in processing and origin character. This is a cleaner, less-orange tea, with much more potency and strength. So much so that I find myself dialing back the leaf a little this morning. Creaminess dominates this tea. A rich, fruit flesh with whipped cream comes to mind, balanced by bright, fresh minty bitterness. In the back of the throat, strong sweetness returns – I love this character. Enjoyable, but requiring a more delicate hand, as it can get rather bristly if pushed.
REFERENCES
The Half-Dipper - 2009 Zhimingdu “Bada”, “Mengsong”, “Bulang”
