B-CN-007
Tong Mu Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong
桐木关正山小种
Unsmoked wuyi mountain black, from Wuyi, China.
Black tea
Tong Mu Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong is strongest on smoothness, sweetness and aroma intensity. Typical tasting words: dried fig, date, honey, orchid, pine. Originating inside the protected Tongmu Reserve in Mount Wuyi, this represents the authentic domestic style without heavy pine smoking. Highly esteemed among Chinese connoisseurs for its delicate longan fruit sweetness and subtle, clean pine-needle finish.
Also known as Tongmu Lapsang Souchong, Traditional Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong and Unsmoked Lapsang.
The profile
Taste, 0 to 5
Flavour families, 0 to 5
Facts
- Origin
- Wuyi, China
- Plant
- Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, Xiao Zhong local population
- Harvest
- Spring (late April to early May)
- Elevation
- high
- Oxidation
- 85 to 95%
- Roast
- light
- Leaf
- twisted
- Price band
- premium
- Availability
- specialist
- Ageing
- worthwhile
- Forgiving to brew
- 5 of 5
- L-theanine
- moderate
Made by: withering, then rolling, then oxidation, then pan-firing, then charcoal baking.
Caffeine
A cup of Tong Mu Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong carries a typical estimate of 45 mg of caffeine, within a range of 30 to 60 mg depending on leaf amount, water temperature and steeping time. Figures are estimates for a 240 ml cup. Better earlier in the day if you are sensitive to caffeine. The caffeine planner turns this into a daily total.
How to brew it
| Method | Leaf | Water | Steeps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western, 250 ml | 3 g | 90 to 95 °C | 3 min, 4 min, 5 min |
| Gongfu, 100 ml | 5 g | 90 to 95 °C | Rinse, then 15 s, 20 s, 25 s, 35 s, 50 s, 75 s |
| Cold brew, 250 ml | 3 g | Fridge | 8 to 12 hours |
Up to 8 infusions. Scale for your own pot with the brew calculator.
Drinking it
- morning
- afternoon
- morning
- afternoon
- relaxing
- social
Pairs with pastry, fruit and dim_sum. Milk: no. Iced: yes. Sweetener: no. Good for beginners: yes.
Tasting words explained
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More: all black tea teas, teas from Wuyi Mountains, Fujian, China, or filter the whole drawer.