Black (Matured) Tea Buddha's Palm
Matured black tea Buddha's Palm (Fo Shou Hei Cha)
Flavor: rich, warm, woody.
Taste: very distinguishing, with tints of baked milk and distinguishable dryness
Aftertaste: a bit rough, sweetish.
Color of the brew: expressive, chocolate.
Effect: astonishing, soothing.
DescriptionIn Taiwan and China the term «Hei Cha» (Black Tea) denotes matured tea, that is, tea adaptable for long storage. High-quality black (according to the Chinese classification) teas are tasty and ready for use right after they were produced — but if matured in appropriate conditions for several years, they only become much better. Fo Shou Hei Cha is produced of the Fo Shou («Teacher's Palm», «Buddha's Palm») tea bush variety. Tea leaves of this variety are much bigger than other tea laves and have unusual, rounded shape, resembling a small plumpy hand. Besides, tea leaves of this sort have distinctive veins which resemble palm lines by their configuration. The peculiarities of the Fo Shou tea leave are not confined to its size, shape and unusual vein pattern — these large leaves are very durable to strain, which helps them endure complex processing without breaking and give very unusual and rare teas in the end. Such as Fo Shou Hei Cha, for example.
Fo Shou Hei Cha resembles Pu-erh in a way — only much more elegant, having no «earthy» notes characteristic of Pu-erh. For this elegance and mildness Fo Shou Hei Cha got its nickname — Lady's Pu-erh.
Fo Shou Hei Cha is a very spectacular and very curious tea. That is why it should be drunk in the conditions which allow marveling at all singularities of this tea to the full extent: the color of the leaves, their brewing, the color of the infusion, and unusual taste and flavor. This is a perfect tea for a calm, tranquil tea-drinking — when no one is in hurry. Use transparent glass-ware to serve Fo Shou Hei Cha, brew it right on the tea table in a transparent tea-pot or using siphon.