For years, I was hoping Yunnan Sourcing would make a cake of their Purple Moonlight white. I previously reviewed the 2018 Wild Purple Moonlight and the worst is the giant bag taking up too much space in my stash. Finally, the 2020 Wild Tree Purple Moonlight White is pressed into a cake and I purchased it when the Yunnan Sourcing US site got it in stock. Pressing certainly changes the flavor, so let’s see how the purple moonlight white is.
Leaf and Steeping Method
The leaf has a juicy floral and fruity scent.
I used 1 gram of leaf per 20ml of gaiwan size, gongfu steeped in boiling water. After an infusion, the wet leaf has a wild herb and floral scent.
Tasting of Yunnan Sourcing’s 2020 Wild Tree Purple Moonlight White Cake
First and Second Infusion: Wild Tree Purple Moonlight White starts off soft and light. The texture is lofty and thick, underneath a bartlett pear sweetness.
Third and Fourth Infusion: After a couple of infusions, this white tea cake opened up and added a thyme/basil herb and pine note, layering on the herbal flavor. Purple Moonlight White is quite savory but there is a looming sweetness. The aftertaste is a crisp fresh herb and pear flavor that is incredibly strong.
With four infusions, I am getting a crushing tea drunk feeling, I feel like my head is getting squeezed.
Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Infusion: 2020 Wild Tree Purple Moonlight White is building up to a bitter herbaceous pine flavor but with a spunky tangy juicy fruity finish. The aftertaste is so potently herbal and a hint of fizzy pear. I find it difficult to drink this tea as the aftertaste sticks so heavily that it affects each sip of tea. I could keep resteeping this to no flavor but I won’t notice as the aftertaste doesn’t leave.
Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Infusion: Wild Tree Purple Moonlight White is chilling out now with light sweet pine and herbs flavor, and finally showing a toothy dryness. Again, the tea is gentle in taste but the aftertaste packs a punch. I kept going until I felt the broth was done.
Comments
I only have the 2018 loose material of Yunnan Sourcing’s Wild Tree Purple Moonlight White to compare, but I found the 2020 cake was more savory herbaceous pine in taste. The aftertaste and texture of this tea are heavy and incredible! Though, I do prefer the 2018 material when it was young and in its current state.
2020 Wild Tree Purple Moonlight White is an unusual flavor flavored moonlight white showing more savory than honey. Certainly, give this one a try if you found other white teas not connecting with your tastes. Alternatively, the loose leaf material is a bit cheaper if you got the space for it.
