The flavour is not exactly what I was expecting from a tea called Severe Degree of Fermentation (I was expecting something very roasted and strongly-flavoured). A two minute infusion produced a very light cup, which has some faint toasty, woody flavours. Little oolong aftertaste, but the flavours are characteristic of the late infusions of a (green?) oolong for me, minus the accompanying astringency I often find in said later infusions. It’s just very light. I think there’s enough leaf left for at least a generous additional cup, so I will have to give that a shot with a higher leaf:water ratio. It’s good, but just very light.
Second infusion (175F/3min) is more like a less green green oolong. Does that make sense? Similar flavours, but the green-ness (vegetal qualities) aren’t so present, and it’s a bit toasty/roasted. It’s better, buttery and more flavourful than the first infusion. A bit weird actually, because I feel like the flavours I’m getting here belong moreso to the first infusion of a tea than the second (and I didn’t get the two mixed up). No astringency in this infusion either, and quite a bit more oolong flavour.
Definitely a different oolong that I would like to explore a bit more. Hopefully tomorrow I can get another couple infusions out of this set of leaves as well :) I love oolongs :D Thanks for the sample, LiberTEAS!
ETA: Third infusion (175F/4 minutes) is pretty weak. Still no astringency but kind of has a woody flavour.
