2023 Qimen An Tea – Benchmark Tribute Tip

The 2023 Benchmark Tribute Tip An Tea has largely shed its initial "fire" (process-induced heat), revealing a deeply layered and well-integrated character. Although classified as a dark tea (Heicha), it carries echoes of oolong, raw (sheng) Pu-erh, and black tea, resulting in a remarkably complex yet harmonious profile. The liquor is sweet and silky, supported by a strong yet refined Chaqi (tea energy), glowing in a bright orange-gold hue reminiscent of warm, polished amber.

The aroma is high, pure, and lingering. Thanks to the naturally rich aromatic compounds of the Zhu Ye Zhong (Local Cultivar), combined with a production method that draws on the strengths of multiple tea traditions, the fragrance unfolds with remarkable depth: elegant floral notes, clean and sweet fruit tones, and a clear, refreshing hint of betel nut. The taste is mellow, sweet, and lively, with rapid returning sweetness and sustained salivation, and it remains expressive through many infusions. The freshness of green tea, the sweetness of black tea, the fragrance of oolong, and the richness of dark tea all converge into a single, cohesive whole—complex yet never chaotic. It is like a symphony on the palate, rising and falling with each infusion, offering new surprises every time. The infused leaves are soft, even, and bright yellow-brown, and even after more than ten infusions, a gentle, refined fragrance still lingers in the leaf base.