Anxi "Hairy Crab" Mao Xie Fujian Oolong Tea * Autumn 2016

This is a sipdown on a sample from JK7Ray of the 2016 harvest of hairy crab. I like this oolong because it is sweet, floral, and creamy. The smooth creamy mouthfeel makes it a really nice tea general drinking. This is an unroasted oolong, and it isn’t very oxidized. It doesn’t have the mineral or toasted barley notes of a roasted oolong and instead the sweetness and complexity comes in the form of cream or floral nectar tastes.

Tea Swap Sample Sipdown of the Day! (4)

I was inspired by Roswell Strange‘s goal to drink more straight teas at home, so today’s swap sample is an unflavored oolong from Arby!

I find the name of this one quite charming. Apparently it’s called hairy crab because of the little hairs that come off of the leaves and float on the surface during steeping. Cute! The rolled pellets here are small and uneven with a variegated medium-to-dark olive green color.

This is lovely! I don’t always enjoy green oolongs, as often they can be a bit too floral for me. But happily, that is not the case here. There is a smooth grassy and somewhat vegetal flavor reminiscent of green peas or edamame. It has that trademark thick and silky oolong mouthfeel, and a clear sweetness that makes me feel as though I’m drinking from a cool mountain stream.

I do taste some floral notes, possibly peony? I really should familiarize myself more with different flowers. The aftertaste is pure peaches and cream, like a smoothie or milkshake.

Very tasty! Straight oolongs will never be my favorites, but this is certainly a delicious example. Thanks, Arby!