Monkey Picked Iron Goddess of Mercy

After the sweet and unsubstantial teas I’ve had this afternoon, I wanted something with a little more darkness and depth. So this one seemed like a perfect match! Smooth and mellow but a strong enough roasted flavor that it easily defeats the aftertaste of goat cheese I’ve got going on from my lunchtime munching. There seems to be a bit more sweetness this time – an almost honey + orchid taste to it – compared to when I had it before.

I’m contemplating reconsidering the need to purchase this one (very decisive, I know). It’s not up my normal alley for oolongs but there’s definitely a place for it. And maybe even a place for it in my pantry. Maybe.

ETA: Shared with the husband because I’m sweet like that. He is giving it a tentative 4 and only tentative because of the sauce-related burning he is experiencing in his mouth at the moment. But first, pre-burning sips were rated as smooth and monkey-esque but roastier.

So I’ve switched gears and am having a cup of this now. 30 second wash, 1/2 teaspoon tea, 4 oz teapot, 2 minutes to start.

It’s good! Not quite as floral (feminine?) as Four Seasons. It strikes me as much more what I expect out of an oolong: roasted, woodsy, strong. It’s a good cup of tea!

I ordered this based on an existing impression of another “Monkey Picked Iron Goddess of Mercy” brand. That brand, the name of which escapes me to this day, was much lighter and sweeter in nature, that required a good 3 minutes of steeping just to unfurl, and more green-oriented(vegetal). This variation is very dark, roasted and smoky – concentrated even – leaning more to the black tea variety. It was after fiddling around with it that I found a “palatable” setting of only 30 seconds a steep at the White-Oolong temps. 45 seconds max on re-steeps. I’m usually wary of suggested steep times on tins, when they immediately say boiling. And for a such a long period, with a larger quantity of leaf(tablespoon vs my own teaspoon), this, to me at least, would be over-powering. I have yet to try that method, but if I do, I’ll be sure to update my findings, but I’m comfortable with what I have now. My way of brewing, the tea’s the smoky and roasted flavour does not become over-powering, but a more calming accentuated flavour, ideal for fireplace settings, and especially the winter season. I get the woodsey, smokey taste notes mentioned, and after a couple steeps, I definitely detect the apricot. Not as sweet as I had expected from another Monkey Picked, but still a good quality/price ratio oolong. Currently my “every day tea”.

This is the first time I’m seeing these kinds of leaves rolled into a ball. It’s quite amazing, actually, to see them unravel during the steeping process. I’m using my travel mug so I couldn’t see through the cup to see it all in action, but amazingly the leaves started at the bottom of my infuser when dry, and ended up filling it up all the way to the top when the steeping was done.

The flavour profiles are pretty accurate to both what Samovar notes on their description and also to what people here have noted. Smooth, with roasted notes. I’m not too experienced with oolongs so I don’t have a point of reference to compare to, but this is a fairly darker flavour than I was expecting after seeing how light coloured the infusion was.

The complexities of this tea make it appealing. I’m enjoying this one. =)

Kinda smooth, kinda roasty. It’s got some umph and body to it. Slight bit of genmaicha hint to it which comes out a bit more with the second steep. Like the first steep more.

By far my favorite Oolong tea. Great for multiple steeps. I absolutely LOVE it!

I believe Samovar does a take on this tea where they soak it in honey over night. Absolutely delicious. As a black tea lover, this is a great oolong to add!

One of the very best Oolong teas I have had. I like to steep it for a full 3 min. Perfect for up to 4 Infusions and even a passable 5th.

Love it, keep it at work to drink instead of coffee

video reviewed it: http://walkerteareview.com/?p=923