Yunnan Sourcing. 2.2 grams steeped for 4 minutes at 180℉. Appearance: typical rolled Pi Lo Chun leaves, see photo. Dry tea scent is floral, musty, sweet. Brewed tea scent is savory, brothy, hint of sweetness. Taste: Savory, trace of fruit and sweetness, with vegetal notes. Minimally astringent.

Pi Lo Chun (romanizations vary) is one of the most famous Chinese teas. Although not labeled as such, this is a pre-Ching Ming version. My impression is that pre-Ching Ming Pi Lo Chun is lighter, more savory, and less fruity than the mature picking. This is an acceptable tea, worth drinking, but not the best version of this tea and picking I’ve found.

Yunnan Sourcing. 2.2 grams steeped for 4 minutes at 180℉. Impression: Wiry silver-green strands, see photo. Dry tea scent of citrus, resin, stone fruit, trace camphor. Brewed tea scent is of warm cotton. Taste: delicate, savory, hints of bacon. Not astringent.

Mao Jian is one my favorite green teas; this is a pre-Ching Ming version of it. The faint taste of bacon reminds me of a wonderful pre-Ching Ming Pi Lo Chun I once had from Upton, but have been unable to find again.

Upton TA73. 2.2 grams steeped for 5 minutes at 212℉. Impression: OP size dark and light bits, see photo. Dry tea scent spicy. Brewed tea scent of sweetness and warm cotton. Taste: murky and brackish, with malty notes. Moderately astringent.

An average Assam. This is one of a sample set of four estate Assams sold by Upton.

Upton TA29. 2.2 grams steeped for 4 minutes at 212℉. Impression: Dark and light BOP size bits, see photo. Dry tea scent spicy, malty, trace of citrus. Taste: slight malt, murky, woody. Not much mouth feel. Moderately astringent.

A satisfactory but undistinguished Assam. One of a sampler pack of four estate Assams.