Review: Zhu Ye Qing (Bamboo Leaf Green)
Tasting Notes
Zhu Ye Qing, also known as Bamboo Leaf Green, originates from the Sichuan province of China. If you want to learn some interesting history behind this tea’s name, there’s a fascinating post on Life in Teacup’s blog about some of the controversy surrounding the use of this tea’s name.
The tea itself is particularly pretty to look at. New leaf tips and buds are pressed carefully flat into pointed spears reminiscent of the broad, flat leaves of dragonwell tea but much younger. They are a glossy forest green, and the smell is fragrant and grassy.
Steeped at 2 minutes, I took care not to burn the leaves with boiling hot water. The leaves begin to puff up and turn a bright green, and the tea steeps into a pale gold, clear and bright. The smell is faintly grassy, just like the dry leaves.
The taste is unexpected. It’s medium-bodied, not grassy in the least, and has more of a mild and smooth taste of toasted nuts with a subtle sweetness toward the end. Not what I expected for a very green tea. It’s a very enjoyable cup.
You can buy this tea from Petit Gaiwan’s website here.
