Gong Fu Tea Shop

I am enjoying this tea more having prepared it in a gaiwan. The higher ratio of leaves to water and the shorter steeping times allow the flavors to express themselves more succinctly. In my tea explorations I have tried several highly oxidized oolongs, but this the first strip-style Wu Yi Shan Da Hong Pao I have tried. This definitely qualifies as highly oxidized, being about 80%. The neat thing about tea is the you can have teas fairly close on the oxidation spectrum, but their flavors and characteristics can differ so much.
The tea’s aroma is that of an earthy broth; whereas the flavor is all peatiness and scotchiness. The after taste is distinctively reminiscent of the slightly smoky bite of scotch. I assuredly enjoy this tea.

I drank all of my last order from Upton without adding a single tasting note. I will try to do a beutter job with this set of teas from Gong Fu.

This was a fine Keemun. The dry leaf has a pleasant sweet smoky smell. The liquor has a pleasing aroma as well and the flavor includes the burgundy notes you would expect in a fine Keemun. Very enjoyable! This tea delivers what you expect from it, which is a flavorful cup of a Chinese classic.

We both liked this one, though it was fairly plain. Will probably buy some.

We both liked this one. Sweet. Definitely will purchase.

This is an extremely flavorful oolong. It has strong notes of clove and cinnamon. It’s the perfect tea for a fall day.

Sarah – really excellent. Want to buy. Rating: 95

This is a nice simple green. It’s not especially note worthy, but it also has no unpleasant qualities.

This tea starts nice, but the aftertaste has a bit of a smoky note that I don’t find pleasant. It is similar to gunpowder, but more mellow and a more pleasant start.

Sarah – drinkable, but odd. Rating: 70

Brad – one of my favorites. Rating: 95

Sarah – didn’t like. Would not re-buy. Rating: 0

Brad – terrible. Do not buy this one again. Rating: 0

Sarah – didn’t like. Rating: 65

Brad – good for a rooibos. Rating: 85

Sarah – terrible. Smells like a lumberyard and tastes like a cigarette steeped in warm water. Rating: 0

Brad – terrible. Tastes like tobacco. Rating: 0

Brad – good but too intense and would be good to blend. Rating: 85

Sarah – this is one of my very favorite teas. Steeping too long gives too strong of a cherry flavor. I really love this tea. Rating: 100

Sarah – liked this one. Not remotely bong-water-esque. Rating: 80

Brad – hated this one. Tasted like bong water. Rating: 0

Sarah – liked this one. Rating: 80

Brad – really like. Rating: 90

Sarah – really liked. Rating: 90

Brad – really liked. Rating: 90