1 1/2 ounces is a decent amount for a tea. I got this to try some of Spirit Tea’s oolongs and figured this would be a decent green oolong while I wait for my several other green oolongs to arrive. Lilac, lilies, and bock choy pretty much describe this tea Gong Fu or Western. The florals a little more pronounced Gong Fu, but so were the grassier qualities. I actually preferred the tea western overall at 3-4 grams in 6 oz for 2-3 minutes, only raising the later steeps by 30 seconds, 45 seconds, and 50 seconds more yielding anywhere from 4-6 cups. The texture was noticeably creamier western, and it was more refreshing oddly enough.
The tea definitely had some nuance, but the florals did not expand too much beyond lilac, lily, or honeysuckle. The bock choy was a hit or miss quality, but the creaminess was much welcomed. It was not as complex or sweet as other Bao Zhongs that I’ve had, but this would fall into a quality just above standard and the florals and body were the tea’s highlight. I swear the tea got more floral as I got to the bottom of the bag. $9 is not a horrible price for the amount of tea I had or the quality, but I could get the same amount for slightly cheaper.
I would recommend this tea, but it is not a tea that blew my socks off. There are a few other teas I would refer instead for trying a Bao Zhong for the first time though this one would be in the top 10 at least. It’s also good if you are looking for a smoother version of a green tea.
