Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong (正山小種)
archetype: Bear by the river
A bear by a dark river: a warm berry depth, longan, a peaceful strength without smoke.
History
Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong — 'true mountain small variety' — is in fact the parent style of all red teas in the world. From it descended Lapsang Souchong (the same technique plus pine smoking) and ultimately all European 'black' teas. The modern smokeless Zheng Shan is made in the same Tongmuguan valley: the leaf is heavily oxidised but not smoked, leaving only the honey-berry sweetness.
Terroir
Canonical Zheng Shan is only from the Tongmuguan valley itself; outside it the leaf loses its peaceful berry character.
Leaf
longan, black raisin, stewed cherry, warm honey long, peaceful; the aftertaste — a 'dark sweetness' in the chest, lasting 30–40 minutes
Properties
rich in theaflavins and natural sugars; gentle stimulation, warming even, warm, peaceful; felt as a 'bear's heaviness' in the shoulders medium (40–55 mg)
Brewing ritual
a 150 ml gaiwan; 95 °C; 5 g / 150 ml. 10s — the first berry breath: longan, raisin; 12s — the peak: stewed cherry, warm honey; 18s — a deep dark sweetness; 25s — a long peaceful note; 40s — the finale — the bear sits down by the water.
When to drink
day and evening. autumn and winter. for a peaceful strength, for a long evening, after the hunt (literal or metaphorical)