huh - I'd never thought of that - I think you're right. I though my palatte was just desensitized to the peppery flavor I used to detect. Yunnan is one of the sweeter/mellower blacks,especially now. I don't think I've had a cup labeled Yunnan that I disliked, but there does seem to be a range of flavors.

I wonder if it has to do with climate change, or over harvesting or something.