The higher temperature seems to make this tea a little more astringent and less sweet although it still smells buttery and rich. The taste is very clean and clear with the typical milk oolong taste showing up mostly in the aftertaste (and in the smell). There’s also a raw vegetable feeling to the cup which I think has something to do with a combination of the sweetness, astringency and crisp taste. It makes me think of lettuce. If lettuce were sweeter and had, you know, taste. I probably like this one done at the lower temperature just because I really like sweet and floral tastes in my green oolongs to the point where maybe I overdose on them, but this is still really nice and more matching with the almost summery day outside.
ETA: Second steep @ 2:00. The flavor has really exploded with this steep. There’s a strong vegetal taste that brings to mind artichokes followed by a little poof of floral and then an almost bitter astringency. It’s savory with a little sweet floral dropped right in the middle.
4.9g/6oz
