Organic Lu An Gua Pian

Tea: Organic Lu An Gua Pian
Vendor: Mighty Leaf
Price: $16.95 / 4 oz
Source: Anhui Province, China
Vendor Description: Organic Lu An Gua Pian green tea, also known as "Little Melon Seed" is an exquisite, high-grade green tea grown in China's Anhui province. Processed using only the beautiful emerald green leaves, without any buds, the Lu An Gu Pian tea dates back to the Tang Dynasty. This refreshing green tea yields a sweet and floral taste with a smooth filong lasting finish similar to that of a Ti Kuan Yin oolong tea.

Leaf: The leaf has light green edges and is lightly twisted. It's not rolled as finely as a sencha, but not open like a Phoenix oolong. The edges of the leaves are light green, but the center of the leaf is dark green.

1st Infusion Parameters: 5g, 5 oz, 185F, 45s

1st Infusion: The tea has a light yellow green hue to it. The aroma is nicely sweet. The tea is very sweet, especially for a green tea. It is rich and flavorful without much bitterness or astringency. It is pleasant, but a bit average in flavor, there is not much that really stands out in the flavor.

2nd Infusion Parameters: 45s, 185F

2nd Infusion: This infusion was a lightly murky infusion with a yellow-green hue. It is abit more yellow than green. The aroma isn't very prominent anymore, there isn't much of an aroma to it at all. The flavor is a bit sharper. It is sweet at the onset, and then turns a stronger and that's where the sharpness is.

Rating: 7/10

Conclusion: This tea was quite enjoyable, but a bit on the mundane side. The first infusion was nicely sweet and subtle. The second infusion showed a bit more character, but nothing outstanding. Factoring in the price I would probably pick something a bit more interesting, but there was nothing wrong with this tea.