A thirteen-infusion Ancient Tree Black Tea session that begins with jujube, mountain honey and the memory of aged white tea—then becomes a long conversation with an old friend beneath an autumn tree.
Tea at a Glance
| Tea | Ancient Tree Black Tea |
|---|---|
| Chinese / Pinyin | 古树红茶 / Gǔ Shù Hóng Chá |
| Type | Hong cha / black tea |
| Origin | Not specified |
| Material | Ancient-tree leaf material |
| Defining Character | Jujube, mountain honey, aged white-tea echoes, citrus and exceptional endurance |
| Infusions | 13 |
| Assessment | Not numerically scored |
Introduction
This tea reveals itself slowly. Its first language is honey, floral sweetness and the surprising familiarity of aged Bai Mudan. Its deeper language is constancy: an old man beneath a great tree whose presence does not demand attention, yet remains unmistakable even as the drinker wanders far away.
Brewing Parameters
- Leaf: 5 g
- Water: Volvic
- Teaware: Mutton-fat Jade White Porcelain Tea Set (羊脂玉白瓷茶具)
- Volume: 100–120 ml
- Temperature: 100°C
- Infusions: 13
- Infusion timing: Not recorded
Dry Leaves
Appearance
Long, slender, tightly twisted black leaves with scattered golden buds.
Aroma
Jujube, dried dates, rich mountain honey, a gentle hint of cinnamon and a lingering floral fragrance. The dry aroma is warm, deep and unexpectedly reminiscent of a well-aged Bai Mudan.
Tasting Journey
Infusion 1
Lid aroma: Sweet and remarkably reminiscent of aged Bai Mudan. Honey appears immediately, with soft floral sweetness lingering long after the pour.
Wet leaf: Similarly sweet, but gentler and rounder than the dry leaf while retaining rich honey.
Liquor: Clear light amber, evoking freshly wetted forest leaves intertwined with dried autumn foliage. The mouthfeel is smooth, silky and effortless. Its sweetness resembles dew gathered on fresh morning blossoms rather than sugar or syrup.
Beyond the immediate flavours lies a moderately strong underlying essence—deeper than taste alone. It unfolds with each sip, hinting at complexity while remaining elusive.
Infusion 2
The amber deepens. Delicate floral sweetness recedes, making way for gentle, pleasant bitterness that adds structure without harshness. The tea remains smooth and silky, with bitterness blending naturally into the finish.
A table appears beneath the broad canopy of an old tree on a late-autumn afternoon.
Infusion 3
The amber settles into a steady, confident tone. Sweetness and gentle bitterness intertwine as one harmonious whole. The liquor coats the palate with a smooth, velvety texture that lingers.
Yet the tea’s true essence still chooses to hide. I look up from my cup. There is still no one.
Infusion 4
Individual notes no longer stand apart. Gentle citrus emerges—fresh lemon and dried yuzu peel—above a quiet, sweet bitterness that serves as underlying essence rather than dominant flavour.
From the right, the host finally reveals himself: an elderly man with a youthful face, a long grey beard and a traditional Chinese hat. Without a word, he introduces himself.
Infusion 5
The amber remains steady. Sweetness, gentle bitterness, citrus and silky texture become familiar companions.
Now I understand him. From afar, he had already seen me. He prepared the table, placed the drink before me and allowed silence and contemplation before revealing himself. No longer a stranger, the tea grows more robust through familiarity.
Infusion 6
The liquor remains composed with no sign of fading; sweetness, gentle bitterness and citrus stay in harmony.
His presence strengthens. Standing with cup in hand, I understand that he does not mask himself. He appears when he knows you understand who he is. He will not change.
Infusion 7
I stroll beyond the tree with cup in hand. The old man remains where he is, his presence still strong. I am not worried as I wander farther, because I know where to find him. The liquor warms my belly as I think of the table, tree and old man.
Infusion 8
I venture farther away. Looking back, I see his unchanging stature watching from afar. The taste has softened only slightly.
Maybe it has faded. Maybe it has not. Maybe it would taste the same even if I were drinking pure water. I no longer know.
Infusion 9
Now far away, I still feel him looking in my direction. The drink changes once more: dew infused with fresh grass, leaves, hay, small flowers, wood and clay. The unmistakable taste that once defined the tea has become a reminiscence.
Infusion 10
The liquor fades ever so slightly and aged white tea returns. I look back; the old man is gone. The tea tastes different, as if permitting a new adventure. I expected the cup to disappear, but it remains in my hand.
Infusion 11
My cup is filled again. The drink turns sweet, with gentle sweetness beside fresh yuzu peel. The ending recalls aged white tea, whose liquor can become almost water while sweetness lingers.
This tea differs. It recalls the strong middle infusions where dried yuzu peel, gentle bitterness and sweetness coexisted, yet those notes have transformed into an entirely different drink.
Infusion 12
Not ready to let go, I circle back toward the old man’s place. The colour has faded again, but only slightly. I find him easily. He offers a seat and another drink from the same cup; his presence stands out once more and the tea tastes much like before.
Sometimes old friends bring back familiar tastes. Perhaps on our journey it is the same cup that brings a new perspective.
Infusion 13 — Final
I ask for one last cup—the last one for the road. Colour and warmth remain. Flavours become less tangible, yet mouthfeel endures. Time spent with old friends gives us strength for the road ahead.
Finally, I stand and leave. I do not wave goodbye, because I know I will return. Yet in my heart, I still want more of that drink.
Wet Leaves (叶底)
Large, supple leaves with a rich chestnut-brown colour. Most remain intact after thirteen infusions, displaying even oxidation and a healthy, leathery texture. Despite the long session, the leaves retain structure and elasticity—evidence of careful processing and exceptional endurance.
Qualitative Scorecard
| Attribute | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Dry Aroma | Jujube, dates, mountain honey, cinnamon and florals. |
| Sweetness | Floral dew at first; integrated sweetness later; renewed in the eleventh infusion. |
| Bitterness | Gentle, sweet-edged and structurally harmonious. |
| Citrus | Fresh lemon and dried yuzu peel emerging from the fourth infusion. |
| Mouthfeel | Smooth, silky and velvety with persistent coating. |
| Body Sensation | Comforting warmth in the belly. |
| Complexity | Elusive essence that reveals itself through familiarity rather than spectacle. |
| Longevity | Exceptional—thirteen composed infusions with resilient leaf structure. |
Strengths
- Extraordinary thirteen-infusion endurance.
- Beautiful integration of honey, floral sweetness, citrus and gentle bitterness.
- Silky, velvety mouthfeel that survives deep into the session.
- A memorable progression from stranger to old friend.
Considerations
- The tea’s underlying essence is subtle and may require a quiet, attentive session.
- Origin, harvest information and exact infusion times were not recorded.
- The recurring aged-white-tea character may surprise drinkers expecting a conventional black-tea profile.
Final Reflection
This Ancient Tree Black Tea does not reveal itself through a single dramatic note. It creates familiarity. At first the host is absent, then quietly present, then so reliable that one may wander far away without fear of losing him.
Even after thirteen infusions, departure does not feel final. The old friend, the tree and the cup remain available in memory. The tea gives strength for the road precisely because it makes return feel certain.
World Tea Verdict
- Overall: Not numerically scored
- Best For: Patient drinkers who value evolving texture, quiet imagery and endurance.
- Defining Character: An old friend beneath an autumn tree.
- Recommend: Yes, especially for long contemplative sessions.
Brewing Recommendation
Use 5 g in a 100–120 ml white porcelain gaiwan with Volvic at 100°C. Begin with brief infusions, then lengthen gradually after the citrus-and-bitterness core settles. Do not end the session early: the tea’s fresh grass, aged-white-tea echoes and renewed sweetness emerge well beyond the middle cups.
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