Xiang Mu Hai Loose Black Tea With Golden Flowers

This is A Xiang Mu Hai production. 500g of loose black tea. There is an added bonus; the tea has golden flowers aka, jin hua in Chinese

These golden flowers you see as yellow specks on the tea leaves are actually a fungus that are found on the tea leaves. Scientifically known as Eurotium Cristatum. I had talked to Chinese tea dealers and was told that these fungus were naturally occurring in Hei Cha or black tea. This fungus is not toxic (I had been drinking and sampling such tea for many a number of years). Some tea dealers took advantage of this jin hua and promoted the tea as sweeter and has many health benefits. I personally cannot tell the difference when I sample a jin hua black tea or a non jin hua black tea.  It is my opinion that this yellow fungus were also 'killed' when the tea is infused with boiling water. 

I have a high opinion of Xiang Mu Hai tea and this 2019 production did not disappoint. The tea is smooth and has a sweet aftertaste. Easy to drink. 

Yunnan Sourcing

Do you know Yunnan Sourcing? Do you drink Chinese tea?  Do you live outside China?  If you answered yes to all 3 questions, I am sure you are familiar with Yunnan Sourcing (YS).

Scott Wilson is the owner of Yunnan Sourcing. He primarily operates out of Kunming China. He started YS about 20 years ago. He is an American. His online store comprised of mainly pu erh and other tea from China. He also sells tea ware.  He is unique in that he sells Chinese tea in China to customers that live outside China. He was an early pioneer  that he made use of the internet and made his tea easily available worldwide. 

I am one of his customers. I started buying tea from him since 2009. When I placed an order from YS, it was a thrill to see my tea order arriving at my doorstep a few weeks later.  It was quite addictive buying from YS.  

I had just befriended a new tea buddy last week in Singapore. He had purchased a huge bag of tea samples from YS and he proudly showed off his purchase to me like a trophy prize. 

Pix showed a purchase I made in 2011. The pu erh was a 2011 Ai Lao San sold under the YS brand. The teapot was another purchase from YS as well.  Made from Da Hong Pao clay.

Well, being a hardcore Chinese tea drinker, I made a trip to Kunming specially to meet Scott in 2009. I even bought a tong of tea from YS as my souvenir when I was there. Scott was very hospitable (more bald now).  He was in a good mood and taught me how to age tea by holding a tea cake on top of my head. 

I hope to make another pilgrimage to Kunming next year and visit Scott to attain more enlightenment about tea.