Gu Zhang Mao Jian (Upton Tea Imports)

This Gu Zhang tea from Upton is, by a small margin, the least expensive of the Upton Mao-Jian-style teas reviewed in this series of posts.  The moderate-to-long twisted dry leaf has a distinct, fresh "dark green" aroma.  The wet leaf shows a combination of medium-sized whole leaf, torn larger leaf, and moderately small buds.  The liquor has a pleasant, clean, and fairly strong aroma with sweet grassy and chestnut notes.  Its taste is pleasant, clean, and quite flavorful with little of the coarseness that can show up in full-flavored teas at this price.  Medium bodied and well balanced, there is just the slightest hint of flatness.  The aftertaste is moderately long and pleasant.  This tea produces a very nice first steeping, a good second steeping, and not much after that.

Overall, this is a good, solid tea that pairs well with food and should appeal to those who prefer flavor over finesse. Attractively priced at $5.20 for 60 grams, it offers good value, but there are similarly-priced Mao Jian teas that offer somewhat higher quality.