Something a little different from the norm, old keemun tea can be quite lovely. After a quick double rinse the aroma hits me, an appealing scent of sweet marmalade jam, citrus sorbet, a spiciness with dark resins and old wood in the background. The age qualities become more noticeable in the texture of the brew as it enters the mouth providing a very smooth and rounded feel. The taste is in line with the aroma, the flavors at the fore are clean and pleasant but that touch of fruity tartness (not sour), just a touch is wonderfully refreshing on the taste buds making the experience stand out. Resting the brew and allowing it to cool slightly enhances the fruits and tartness a little more. The fact that this old keemum was vacuum sealed I believe held back the development of sourness which suits me just fine.
Note: I feel this tea performs better with a lower leaf to water ratio and a slightly longer brew. The parameters (4-5g, 100ml, 1m, 2m ...) are my own preference but it can be adjusted for strength to suit the individual. A quick double rinse is good practice to ensure that you have a cleaner brew when it comes to age tea.
