Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Canton Tea Co.
Tea Description:
Other names: Golden Needle Congou, Bai Lin Jin Zhen Congou, Ju Hong
One of the earliest Chinese black teas ever to be produced, this Bai Lin Gong Fu is made from young wild white tea buds, twisted into tight elegant gold-streaked curls. The liquor is reddish-brown and has a full-bodied, robust flavour with distinct notes of caramel. This is a wonderful example of whole leaf black tea. It it is a glorious breakfast tea and very reasonably priced for a tea of this calibre. An everyday affordable luxury.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I don’t usually steep black teas in my gaiwan, mostly because the porcelain gaiwan gets very hot, very quickly and I don’t want to burn my fingertips when I try to pour the tea from my gaiwan. However, for this particular tea, I decided to make an exception. I brought the water to a slightly lower temperature (195°F instead of boiling) and infused for one minute for the first infusion, adding 30 seconds to each subsequent infusion. What I have now in the cup sitting in front of me is the combination of the first two infusions.
At first, I wondered if one minute would be long enough, but, as it turns out, the tea tastes incredible after steeping for just one minute, so I am glad I decided not to steep it longer. The flavor is rich and robust and has the most delightful caramel-y undertone to it. Earthy and a little biscuit-y, this tea is very full-flavored and has a nice, rounded taste to it. Very enjoyable, indeed!
After sipping on this for a little while, I start to notice some spice notes emerging. Not strong or what I’d consider spicy, really, but hints of pepper sit off in the background, providing some interest for the palate. Subsequent infusions provided a smoother taste and texture. I noticed some fruit-like tastes in the background by infusions three and four. Still earthy and bold in flavor, the flavors are becoming more unified now.
A truly glorious black tea – bold and invigorating enough to start the day, as well as make a very welcome pick-me-up towards mid-afternoon. This is lovely!
This tea is interesting to me, as I recently tried TeaVivre’s Bailin Gong Fu, and I also recall that it was reviewed here on this blog as well. Have you tried that particular one as well? I’d be curious if anyone has tried both, to compare.
Your description of this tea sounds very similar to my experience (and the review on this site) of TeaVivre’s tea. I especially like how you call it “biscuit-y” and earthy, with caramel undertones…that’s very similar to how I described TeaVivre’s tea. I have yet to try anything from Canton Tea Co, but I do have quite a favorable impression of them both from reading others’ reviews, and from checking out their website.
Total coincidence! I’m having a pint of this right now as I read this!