Arjuna

Thanks to Ellen for the sample. This is a uniquely fun oolong. Between the description from Zhi and watching the leaves slowly unfurl in my glass teapot, this tea is as much an epic as a drink. The flavors are surprisingly happy and fruity, peach and white grape dominate the first two steeps, then it thins and lets a buttery, lemony caramel become the primary taste. I could feel myself perk up with the first sip and unwind with the leaves and smokey caramel. Exactly what I needed on a day of perpetual gloom.
The complex and distinct flavors and shape make this a real work of art. I have to look up what else it’s artist has crafted.

This Arjuna fellow may be a warrior, but beneath his armor he is an epicurean sensualist. The sweet scent and long, twisted leaves of the dry tea are striking and alluring. The spear-like leaves went 5 rounds, heroically keeping their twist through the first three. The smooth liquor evolved through luscious shades of caramel, from toasty to mild, with soft floral notes. As tea-drunkeness enveloped me, I stroked the hero’s back and squeezed his lovely brown buns! Arjuna now ranks in my top few oolongs. Thank you, Zhi Tea, for an unforgettable drinking experience.

I tried this tea the other day and let me say the dry leaves are so awesome! They are so long and tightly rolled, it was so fun to take them out of the bag. I’ve done 3 steeps of the tea so far, and finally the leaves have begun to unfurl. So far the tea doesn’t seem particularly fantastic to me, but we’ll see with a few more steepings.