Thank you Roughage for this Remarkable Sample Tea
An Oolong from India! Yes! This is one from only a handful of Estates allowed to grow Oolongs and it’s an organic tea grown at 3000ft.
(I always think that’s not too high since I live at 5000ft., but it depends on how steep the incline!).
I tried to brew a cup this morning but failed. The method with my Finum basket and mug was too weak. I decided to try again later.
This time, I decided to use 6oz (200ml) water at 185F (85C) in my Gaiwan
and steep for 1-2 minutes. I let the 1tsp of leaves swirl to infuse the water with more flavor.
The wet leaves smelled lightly vegital but sweet and the liquor was clear yellow gold.
The taste was juicy sweet with a muscat flavor and dry bite on the tip of the tongue. As the tea cooled the dryness moved to the underbelly of my tongue which instead of feeling wierd created a body to the tea like a tea confection was in my mouth melting slowly. Pretty interesting first steep.
As the Oolong cooled, it became buttery on my lips which I rubbed together like lip balm…it felt good.
The second pour was a little sour. I was informed by Roughage that this was gently sweet and sour. Right he was. It isn’t unpleasant, and very short in intensity up front. Then there’s a dryness that flecks up to the roof of the mouth and dies. So odd. Like you just experienced a defective roman candle. Pop, Whiz,…Fizzle.
I could detect the fig, muscat and plum skin that gives the sour edge to this Oolong but no chocolate like the notes on the tea discribe. No chocolate at all. Interesting tea. It was becoming increasingly sour.
I’m not the biggest sour fan unless it’s sweet and sour. I had to add sweetening to please myself. A scant amount. Ha! The pucker power was still there! It lingered as the tea cooled and became pretty strong!
Warning, not to let this tea cool down all the way! Wheeee! Tart!
This is unlike any Oolong I’ve ever tasted. It looks like a Darjeeling dry but it’s an Oolong. From India. One that a collector would want to try.
Thanks Roughage, this was a fun one!
