Ying Ming Yunnan Extra Fancy ~ By the Pound

Someone managed to beat me to reviewing this tea.

I did. >.> Years ago, back before i knew what i was doing, i reviewed it on Steepster. I kind of wish i could delete it now.  “Thoroughly boring, could be a cheap darjeeling.” That’s all i said, but it was wholly inaccurate.

Ostensibly, Ying Ming Yunnan is a premium Black grown at high elevation between March and April–the cool and moist mountain air endowing the leaf with subtle, sweet and distinctly floral notes.

Actually Ying Ming Yunnan Extra Fancy has a unique Tippy, tobacco/woodsy aroma. One glance at dark twisty, semi-golden loose leaf will tell you this tea solidly falls into the Golden Yunnan style. One sip, and i sigh in happiness. Sure, it’s not the very best tasting Golden Yunnan i’ve ever had (that honor goes to LODO’s Yunnan Gold). It tastes like a much more delicate Nepal Black, with a lovely smooth malt. Admittedly, Ying Ming Yunnan Extra Fancy doesn’t have nearly the powdery explosion of a rare Golden Yunnan, but what it does have (a medium but full-bodied twiggy Black grit) works perfectly for this delicate tea.

1. Aroma – 93
2. Taste – 92
3. Texture – 92
4. Spunk – 94
5. Price – 94 ($18/lb)
6. Availability – 92
7. Appearance – 93

Mean score – 93%

Actually, Ying Ming Yunnan Extra Fancy is a consistently strong Yunnan Red. Highly recommended.