I realized last night that it’s been forever since I last had a gong fu oolong session. I love my green oolongs and they have been sadly neglected while I dallied about with dazzling new flavors and alluring Japanese greens. I’m sorry oolong. You deserve better. This Sunday morning is all yours.
I snipped open my sample pack of Alishan from Canton Tea and was greeted with the most seductive aroma. Honey and green and flowers. Oh yum.
First steep: This was pretty light, as is normal. The color was a lovely bright yellow and the taste was sweet and vegetal. The honey note is making a shy appearance here. Not too floral.
Steep two: This steep! Mmmm… The leaves are smelling like cooked bok choy and the tea so honey sweet and brothy. It’s lightly vegetal but mostly floral honey. The after taste reminds me of a juicy ripe plum. Did I really abandon my green oolongs for the savory oceanic flavors of Japanese greens? I guess they both have their merits… but nothing beats the complexity of a good oolong.
Steep three: Oh my! How that small handful of leaves has grown! I’m surprised every time. The smell is so intoxicating. Forget those fancy designer perfumes. Just dab some of this on your wrists and you’re ready to go. This steeping is, at the same time, honey sweet yet fruity and crisp. This might be the honey-like green oolong I’ve ever had. I love how the vegetal flavors are staying the in background for now. By the third steep, many oolongs are mostly vegetal and only barely floral and fruity. So delicious.
Steep four: This steep is possibly my favorite thus far. It’s more balanced and the flavors are more subtle. It’s still floral and sweet. Less honey. vegetal only in the after taste. It’s got a very crisp finish, yet a lovely flavor lingers in your mouth. Like apple skin. Very fresh.
Last cup for now. I’m getting quite hungry, and I’ll be needing more than tea to sustain me, I think. What a shame. :) I am very pleased with this oolong though. It’s invigorating, yet also calming. Gong fu brewing and tasting often puts me in a meditative frame of mind.
