五牛蔵龍井緑茶（高級茶コレクション）

This is my first Wu Niu Zao and it has a pretty unique taste. I’d read on some teas about “bean” as a tasting note, but never actually tasted it — this is the first tea that really tastes of green (soy) beans. The bean and grassy note is quite dominant and I could not pick up any nutty notes.

Although Wu Niu Zao is processed in the same style as Long Jing, it’s not a Long Jing in the true sense (more like “Long Jing style”). As a result, it differs noticeably in flavor from traditional Long Jing cultivars.

Fifteen infusions strike me as a bit much. I personally used eight (a little more than I would for classic Long Jing). Even in the later steeps it does not turn bitter, so 10+ infusions are certainly possible, depending on how faint or “watery” you’ll still enjoy your tea.

For anyone feeling experimental, a homemade blend with classic Long Jing could also be interesting to additional complexity.

Overall, this feels more like 4.5 stars than a 5. It offers a unique flavor profile but at this price point it could be a bit more complex.