Because Laoshan Village just launched two ‘first ever’ Oolong’s with Verdant Tea, I’ve decided to prepare tea in a style common to that geographic area.
Laoshan Style Tea: (No special equipment required)
Heatproof glass tumbler, 175 degree filtered. Pour water over aprox. 1tsp or so leaves (1/4 inch). Wait until most of the leaves sink to the bottom of the glass, then sip.
Refill the glass with water throughout the day using the same leaves.
The signiture aroma and flavor of chocolate, potato and barley that I love in Laoshan Black Tea is present in this Oolong, with a lighter more delicate and sweeter taste.
One sip and you know, this is tea from Laoshan Village and Mr. He!
Throughout the first tasting, I couldn’t help comparing Laoshan Black Tea with the Laoshan Roasted Oolong while swishing and swirling the golden liquor.
The cocoa brown tea leaves had plumped a full 2 inches high in my glass and left a filmy haze of tea oil. Good leaves!
The tea’s medicial benefits were taking effect with a golden, light warmth elevating my sense of well-being.
I relaxed, sat back on the couch…and passed the tumbler in front of my nose to catch the floral and fruity scent.
More water into my tumbler, and the glass was dark topaz from the cinnabar-brown leaves that filled it.
The flavor was lighter, not as potato-chocolate as the first steep, and spicier. Cinnamon, caramel, citrus.
This particular Oolong is in the flavor profile of Laoshan Black but lighter, sweeter and more floral. I look forward to seasonal changes and roasting experimentation.
Personal Note
I sat today and remembered the first time I drank really great tea and what it was like. How do you explain it?
Everyone knows what a ‘Flash Mob’ is. Well, when I was drinking bagged tea’s and highly flavored tea, it was like a flash mob…all dancers and bands and noise. A fun show!
There comes a part when everything stops and there’s a reveal. The one special moment when everyone points to a single person because that is the point of it all. The show and everything is about that moment…the ‘reveal’!
One layer after another of people is removed…they point to a spot and…‘tah dah’!
For me, my moment, or ‘reveal’ with tea was when I drank my first high quality, unflavored loose leaf tea. I was blown away!
I had no idea that tea could have such a pure, clear voice. Without apology…it changed my tea journey and sent me down a path of discovery.
Now I know how to use equipment and how to pour tea, and like going to Grammar School I’ve learned lots of facts.
Weeks ago when recuperating, I drank copious amounts of fine tea to help heal my tired-from-migraine brain. The tea helped a great deal!
I’ve been thinking about the need to learn to ‘drink tea’ and it’s time to sit still more often and heal in many ways.
Lesson #1
I know very little about tea.
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That’s a great analogy! I felt that “reveal” when I tried some of the unflavored teas from Verdant and Butiki for the first time. I’ve realized that my favorite thing about quality tea is that I experience that same feeling every time I have it again!
Delicious Tea, I tried a sample now I’m patiently waiting for tea of the month box to get some more of it, I’m excited.
Can’t wait to try Laoshan Green Oolong too :)
“The tea’s medicial benefits were taking effect with a golden, light warmth elevating my sense of well-being.” Sold! I’m trying my sample of this tea post-haste. I couldn’t decide which (ah, what a problem — too much tea to choose from) but this one sounds like it’s what the tea doctor ordered. Thank you!
Mmm you are right about the tea oil! I felt it before I noticed it visually. I think perhaps this is the first tea I’ve been fully conscious of feeling the oil in my mouth and I love it!
That’s a great analogy! I felt that “reveal” when I tried some of the unflavored teas from Verdant and Butiki for the first time. I’ve realized that my favorite thing about quality tea is that I experience that same feeling every time I have it again!
Delicious Tea, I tried a sample now I’m patiently waiting for tea of the month box to get some more of it, I’m excited.
Can’t wait to try Laoshan Green Oolong too :)
“The tea’s medicial benefits were taking effect with a golden, light warmth elevating my sense of well-being.” Sold! I’m trying my sample of this tea post-haste. I couldn’t decide which (ah, what a problem — too much tea to choose from) but this one sounds like it’s what the tea doctor ordered. Thank you!
Mmm you are right about the tea oil! I felt it before I noticed it visually. I think perhaps this is the first tea I’ve been fully conscious of feeling the oil in my mouth and I love it!