In the vast world of tea, some varieties are like recluses of time, quietly maturing and exuding a unique allure. Liu Bao tea is precisely such a tea, a treasure sculpted by time. The 1992 Liu Bao tea, in particular, stands out as a remarkable gift from the years.
Liu Bao tea is produced in Wuzhou, Guangxi. Its dry leaves are dark and lustrous, as if painted with a profound hue by time. When infused with water, the liquor presents a rich red color, as enticing as a glass of fine red wine aged for years. The aroma is mellow and aged, and the taste is sweet, mellow, and refreshing, with a unique pine - smoke flavor and betel - nut flavor, which are the distinctive marks of Liu Bao tea. However, this 1992 Liu Bao tea king, having aged for over 30 years, has reached another level of refinement. Amid its deep - seated aged aroma, a rich ginseng - like aroma emerges, blending harmoniously to create a complex and captivating aroma profile. The taste is rich and gentle, with a strong tea essence, fully demonstrating the unique charm of aged Liu Bao tea.
The strength of the tea essence in this tea is truly astonishing. After just three cups, you'll feel a warm sensation on your back, accompanied by a slight perspiration. The tea liquor is deep red. As it enters the mouth, a sense of warmth, smoothness, and silkiness immediately spreads. The thick and smooth texture, combined with the steady ginseng - like and aged aromas, offers a rich and diverse taste experience. Each sip is like a journey through history, allowing you to feel the sedimentation of time. This tea essence gives a sense of being both gentle and powerful, making you feel at peace and as if time is standing still while sipping it.
More than three decades of time have condensed into this cup of tea, depicting the passage of time. The 1992 Liu Bao tea is undoubtedly a masterpiece co - created by the soil and water of Wuzhou and the passage of time. Its tea aroma is like opening a yellowed ancient scroll, with layers of aged charm, medicinal fragrance, and jujube - like sweetness. When it enters the mouth, the mellow and dense texture is like silk caressing the taste buds, and the throat is filled with the vigor and warmth of towering old trees. In the deep red and translucent tea liquor, not only are the memories of the 1990s hidden, but also a profound sweetness bestowed by time, making every sip a nostalgic look back at the past.
Whenever the cold weather arrives, seasoned tea connoisseurs, well - versed in the nature of tea, will take out a can of Liu Bao tea aged for many years. They may either infuse it slowly, brew it in a covered bowl, or simmer it in a pot, all in pursuit of that cup of "deep - red, aged, mellow" tea to warm their bodies and souls. So, how exactly can we savor Liu Bao tea to fully appreciate its charm?
There are various ways to savor Liu Bao tea, including brewing, simmering, and steeping. When it comes to choosing tea sets, both covered bowls and pots are suitable, with purple clay pots or Nixing pottery pots being the best choices as they can better bring out the aroma and flavor of Liu Bao tea. The amount of tea leaves can be adjusted according to personal taste. Generally, for a 120 - ml container, 8 grams of tea leaves is appropriate. Since Liu Bao tea may adhere to some dust during long - term storage, rinsing the tea leaves is essential. Use boiling water to rinse the tea leaves quickly, with two rinses being optimal. This not only washes away the dust but also wakes up the tea leaves. When brewing, use boiling water. The essence of the tea liquor usually emerges from the 3rd to 5th infusions. Cover the lid and let it steep for 5 seconds before pouring out the tea. In the middle and later stages, extend the steeping time to about 10 seconds. Liu Bao tea is highly resistant to multiple infusions, usually capable of being brewed 7 - 10 times or even more. If you choose the steeping method, use 1 gram of tea leaves for every 150 ml of water, and steep it in a thermos cup for 2 hours to obtain a moist, mellow tea liquor.
The 1992 Liu Bao tea is not just a cup of tea; it is a memory of time and a cultural heritage. In the process of savoring, what we taste is not only the mellow flavor of the tea but also the sedimentation and changes of time. Let us find a quiet corner in our busy lives, brew a cup of Liu Bao tea, and in the aroma of the tea, converse with time and reconcile with ourselves.