Yixing Hong Cha

Intense yet flavorful, this is a very well-made black tea from Yixing. The tightly rolled leaves are harvested from a local landrace, and it displays a little of the tendency for Yixing black teas to produce a paler infusion than one would expect for the full-bodied flavor. Definite maltiness on a syrupy brew, mitigated by the taste (and astringency) of almond and fruit skins, it centers on a red fruit acidity that may recall damson plums on subsequent steepings, when the intensity relaxes and allows one to note a distinct ginger aroma. A little bit of tuning in the brewing process, however, can reward one with almost any black tea profile: pungent or soft, tongue- or nose-forward.