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Teapot time :) Spring 2018 harvest (I think).
5g, 100mL, 195F, short rinse followed by 8 steeps at 10/15/20/25/30/45/60/90s

This has to be one of the most pleasant high mountain oolongs I’ve come across thus far.

The dry leaf was very fragrant with savory, floral and sweet notes. In the warmed leaf, I think I could identify the savory note as buttered pumpkin, sweet cream and honeydew almost overripe. The florals I recognized were very sweet lilac, honeysuckle and faint orchid. These all became more apparent with the rinse.

The tea started out fragrant and full of flavor with tastes of minerals, vanilla, cream, butter, grass, strong but not overwhelming florals, light pumpkin. As the tastes lightened from the fourth steep on, I caught additions of sweetened coconut, then pineapple followed by lemon water and ending on a light, dark green vegetal note.

The dynamic aftertastes were a highlight of this tea. Very nice floral, sweet and buttered winter squash aftertaste on the first steep that made me go ‘Wow.’ That transitioned into a stronger floral fruitiness with some faint cooling, followed by green apple, to salt and pear, peach and finally ending with a nice mineral savoriness. The liquor was smooth and light throughout, producing a good amount of salivation, though I did notice a little bit of scratchiness in my throat.

I like that this tea didn’t have a noticeable energy, just a really pleasant delivery of tastes and transitions. Neither a floral nor vegetal bomb. It may not appeal to those who aren’t fans of minerals or saltiness but for me this tea had everything I could need: savory, sweet, floral, fruity, minerals, and a barely perceptible astringency.

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 5 g 3 OZ / 100 ML
Show 4 previous comments...
Daylon R Thomas 7 years ago

Spot on!

derk 7 years ago

DId you drink this recently?

Daylon R Thomas 7 years ago

I’ve had last year’s, but your description was still awesome.

Mastress Alita 7 years ago

Oh man, this oolong sounds so bomb.

Kawaii433 6 years ago

Derk, thank you so much for your sample of this. It was lovely. <3 I had it last week and am almost done with the samples you sent me. The last few I “rated” but didn’t write about them. I think both you and easttyteaguy did fantastic reviews on it already. Thanks again!

derk 6 years ago

You’re welcome.

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Comments

Daylon R Thomas 7 years ago

Spot on!

derk 7 years ago

DId you drink this recently?

Daylon R Thomas 7 years ago

I’ve had last year’s, but your description was still awesome.

Mastress Alita 7 years ago

Oh man, this oolong sounds so bomb.

Kawaii433 6 years ago

Derk, thank you so much for your sample of this. It was lovely. <3 I had it last week and am almost done with the samples you sent me. The last few I “rated” but didn’t write about them. I think both you and easttyteaguy did fantastic reviews on it already. Thanks again!

derk 6 years ago

You’re welcome.

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Profile

Bio

No Sugar Added!

Tea habits:

Among my favorites are all teas Nepali, sheng puerh, Wuyi yancha, Taiwanese oolong, a variety of black (red) teas from all over, herbal tisanes. I keep a few green and white teas on hand. Shou puerh is a cold weather brew. Tiny teapots and gaiwans are my usual brewing vessels when not preparing morning cups western style and pouring into my work thermos. Friend of teabags.

Location

Sonoma County, California, USA

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