Verdant Tea Company. Spring of 2022 by the Li family. The only thing I like more than the various tastes of this tea is the way it smells after the leaves have been wet and on the top of my gaiwan. Sticking my nose deep into the empty vessel almost touching my nose to the still-hot leaves, I feel I can pick up dark cherries, chocolate and a hint of something floral. Stone fruit, warm mineral-y rocks is the taste, however, to my still infantile palate.
A very fun immersive tea and terrific for waking the senses and one's curiosity first thing in the morning. Pairs great with a good understated butter cookie too!
From the verdanttea.com:
Rock Milk or Shi Ru is an uncommon varietal that the Li Family cultivates on their mist-shaded, mountain spring-fed biodiverse plot within the Wuyi Ecological Preserve. The naturally rocky elements of this tea come through even stronger as they take in the deep minerality of the volcanic rocky soil. As a rare offering, Mr. Li takes the time to bring out the rich mouthwatering lingering yun sensation of this tea through the hand firing at low heat for hours needed to bring out the very best. This varietal is an excellent chance to taste the terroir of the region