Yunnan Biluochun

Rolled into snail-shaped pearls, the buds and leaves of Da Ye Zhong ("large leaf variety"), usually reserved for pu’er production, offer a unique experience here. The delicately pressed leaves are glossy and oily, unlike the many hairy buds of the well-known Biluochun from Jiangsu, allowing a deeper sniff without the sneeze. With a dousing of warm water, the leaves exudes an enticingly milky florality reminiscent of gardenias in bloom. And the soup is oily and silky, all-too-comforting with flavors of haricot verts and a creamy note that depending on the strength of the brew, could even satisfy a sweet tooth.