Series History: The "Golden Ribbon" series by XiaGuan began in 2003, using primarily 3rd-grade tea materials sourced from big tree tea leaves from Wu Liang Mountain and Bu Lang Mountain. This series was initiated to create a higher quality tea than the existing "Red Ribbon" series, marked by a golden ribbon in the tuo (nest) as a distinctive feature.
Characteristics:
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Appearance and Fragrance:
- The 357g cake is tightly compressed, displaying neat tea threads with multiple tea hairs, resulting in a visually appealing appearance.
- The tea has a slight smoky flavor complemented by its original fragrant aroma.
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Tea Liquor:
- The liquor is clear and bright, indicative of its quality and proper processing.
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Flavor Profile:
- The taste is refreshing with a balanced sweetness, minor bitterness, and astringency.
- The flavor is fragrant and smooth, offering a soothing and relaxing tea experience.
- It provides good Huigan (pleasant, sweet aftertaste) and stimulates saliva production.
Storage:
- Naturally stored in Guangzhou, benefiting from the region's humid climate, which aids in the aging process and enhances the tea's flavor profile over time.
Background:
- The "Golden Ribbon" series comprises two sub-series: "Shang Pin" (Premium) and the general version.
- The "Premium" version uses 2nd-grade tea materials from big tree leaves in the Ban Na tea region, offering a mellower and thicker taste with medium-level bitterness and astringency. It also features a faster-coming Huigan and is stronger in taste.
- Initially, this series was created for Guangzhou Xin Ye tea company, aiming to produce a higher-quality tea than the "Red Ribbon." The golden ribbon was introduced to signify this elevated status.