Included among the Zen Class offerings are on the cloud mist or creamy side. Sweetness tends to be a trademark, often including Yiwu and Bulang terroirs. Zen Class offerings are often deceptive, possessing austere broth complexity with aftertastes or effects that are counterintuitive. Zen Class offerings are less for quaffing than taking time for. The concept in Chinese is pincha, which translates as “an elegant and leisurely art of enjoyment.”
’11 Ginseng Song
Vanilla nose, tongue numbing, mouth cooling. Ginseng vibe gives way to subtle celery and berry note. The berry note lingers in aftertaste for a respectable spell. Medium viscosity, beautiful clarity, steadily approaching qi. Yiwu shengtai material, from Master Zheng Silong. Stored in Los Angeles since April ’21.
’10 LSD
Smooth old-tree sophistication, expressing three phases: 1) vanilla sweet; 2) ginseng bittersweet, light astringency, 3) ginseng light sweet. Ginseng huigan unmistakable, pleasant, long lasting. Luoshuidong village Stored in Los Angeles since Sept ’22
’09 Forever Zen
Zen to the max, intensifying sweetness. Vanilla and minerals. The taste and aroma are one. There is zero bitterness and the broth possesses a pleasing degree of viscosity. The huigan comes even before the broth is completely swallowed. Manzhuan material. In Los Angeles since Feb ’21.
’09 Cream of Mushroom
Less savory than sweet, mushroom and cream prevail. Mouth watering huigan. Blue Mark old tree Bulang from one of the Five Golden Flowers of Menghai Du Qiong-zhi. Stored in LA since April ’21.
’07 Melissa’s Song
Cream note excels, extending throughout the session. Balanced astringency, touch of bitterness. Overall pleasant drinking experience especially if you’re a cream fiend. Mengsong material. Stored since April ’22.
’06 Vanilla Gratitude
Toffee, creamy vanilla taste and nose that progresses to the characteristic Yiwu apricot in later infusions. Yiwu Mengla Gratitude TF. Stored in LA since April ’21.
’03 Count Birchenberry
Birch wood vanilla with berry finish and nose. Fierce astringency. Mansa, old school processing. Whole body buzzes and tingles. Stored in LA since May ’21.
