Exotic large leaves, highly aromatic & flavorful - 3 varieties of oolongs! Our sampler offers essentially the range of Chinese oolong styles. From low-oxidized and floral to traditional medium oxidized and "spicey" to high-fired and toasty. Offers a great introduction to the world of oolongs. Our sampler includes:
- "Iron Goddess" Tieguanyin - Traditional China style, leaves are rolled, medium oxidized, creates a full-bodied, softly sweet & spicy taste. (2 oz.)
- "Ben Shan" Source Mountain - Rolled, low-oxidized, local cultivar, naturally floral and lush taste, delivers a wonderfully aromatic & lingering note. (2 oz.)
- One Bush - Phoenix Bird Dan Cong style - grown high-elevation, handmade, wood-charcoal fired, elegant brown-red leaf, taste is toasty & fruity. (2 oz.)
Lot Notes. Iron Goddess is made of medium oxidized and a sprinkling of low-oxidized leaves grown in the AnXi area. Source Mountain is a small leaf, aromatic local cultivar, grown in AnXi. One Bush is high-fired, almond flavor, grown in the famous Fenghuang area.
Tea Facts. Oolongs originated in the WuYi Mountains of Fujian Province. In coloration and oxidization they are midway between green and black teas as they are semi-oxidized. The high-fire Dan Cong style are made in Guangdong Province. Low oxidized, greener color Tieguanyins are made in Fujian Province. Generally, oolongs are medium in caffeination.
Tasting Notes. These 3 teas offer a range of oolong tastes. Dan Cong's are roasty, sweet and almond-like in flavor. Source Mountain is lush, aromatic and floral. Iron Goddess is light spice.
Brewing Suggestions. Use a teaspoon or about 3 grams of leaf for 7-8 ounces of water. Water should be 205 F to boiling. Rinse the leaves briefly, pour off and re-infuse. Steep for 2 minutes and taste. Use longer steeps for more body & flavor.
SKU: O-OTS-2
Oolong Tea
Add 30 seconds for each successive steep — flavors evolve.
Oolong leaves are large. Once plucked, they are either rolled and lightly oxidized (Tieguanyin style) or are long and crafted to a reddish-brown color (Dan Cong style).
Tieguanyin is shades of green, almost blue. Its infusion opens to an aroma of lilies of the valley with a mouthfeel of gentle vegetal notes as it develops into a buttery, floral finish. Dan Cong is aromas of brown sugar and candied fruit. The mouthfeel is strong and full-bodied with a sweet, refreshing finish. In steeping, first rinse the leaves briefly to awaken them. This steep can be enjoyed for aroma. The second steep releases precious flavors. Multiple steeps are the norm for oolongs as they are complex and layered.