Spring 2019 Wenshan Baozhong - Semi Wild

We have 3 good news for Baozhong lovers: 3 new spring 2019 Baozhongs have joined our selection! The most affordable is a Jinlan Baozhong (only 3.5 USD per 25 gr or 17.5 USD for 150 gr). Jinlan is the name of its cultivar and the first time we encounter it! It means golden orchid and is based on SiJiChun, which is why it has such a flowery name! The second is the very traditional 'Subtropical Forest' Baozhong, which I've reviewed here in French. This year's quality is outstanding and it even has some insect bites! I heartily recommend it.

In this article, I would like to give you a short account of the Semi Wild Baozhong. It was harvested on May 8th, less than 10 days ago! The quality of its Qingxin Oolong leaves is simply amazing. You can feel it in your hands. Dry, they have a kind of strength and elasticity, because they have grown nicely and almost must be squeezed to fit in the zhuni Shipiao teapot!

And open, the leaves are very thick, well nourished from a naturally rich and healthy soil. Apart from the red oxidation marks, it's as if they had just been picked! (See below).

And the taste is so soft and pure! It's really coming close to perfection of how a fresh Baozhong should be.

There's something else that's remarkable: the price. We live in an era when rich Chinese buyers are driving up the prices of the best teas of most areas. Shifeng Longjing, Wuyi Yan Cha, Lao Banzhang puerh, aged sheng puerh, Da Yu Ling Oolong... these famous teas have seen their prices increase dramatically in the last 10 years. Luckily for us, Wenshan Baozhong teas have not (yet!) become the target of Chinese buyers. This is why the premium for the such great quality leaves remains very reasonable.

The shape of the dry leaves of Wenshan Baozhongs is what sets them apart from other Oolongs in Taiwan. Single leaves often look like snakes or dragons. They stimulate your poetic imagination! With this Semi Wild Baozhong, some of the leaves come with 2 leaves and a bud. For me, this looks like a dancer!