The 2015 Green Mountain Blend from Tea Drunk might not be my cup of tea, but I absolutely appreciate it and respect it
Astringency
Very dry
Body
Medium
Strength
Strong
Rating
3 out of 5
Brand
Tea Drunk
Season
Spring
Year
2015
Elevation
~1500 meters
Dry Leaves
Wood cabinet
Hay
Wet Leaves
Tobacco
Black coffee
Tea Aroma
Earth
Tea Flavor
Iron
Floral
The Tea: Green Mountain Blend
I’ve never had a green tea quite like this. It is subtle, savory and floral at first, then it becomes strong and abrasive. The leaves of this blend come from old-growth trees with large leaves. This might be where the toughness of this brew is coming from. Compare a tender new bush to an old thicket; the branches are thicker and woodier, and the leaves are a deeper, richer green. Maybe that’s why this brew tastes dryer and darker than other green teas.
A Green Tea Pu-Erh Crossover
Another reason for the strength and flavor is the processing of this tea. It is withered and wok-fried to halt the oxidization process like other green teas, and then it is aged like a sheng – or unripened – pu er. Teas can lose that young, fresh quality in exchange for a deep, earthy taste when aged.
Origin
This is a blended tea, so it features leaves from Wu Liang Shan, Meng Hai, and Yi Wu according to the Tea Drunk site. Blending teas can offer more flexibility and experimentation with teas. Each terroir – or region – imparts different qualities to its tea plants. Together, these teas create a cup that can withstand a bit of bitterness by blending with a lighter, sweeter tea.
It might not be my cup of tea, but I absolutely appreciate it and respect it!
