Tao of Tea - Thés Thé Oolong

Tao of Tea - Oolong

Oolong teas can be brewed in a variety of styles. For daily drinking, a smaller amount of leaf with a longer steeping time gives a rewarding cup with little effort. This tea’s darker leaf requires fairly hot water (180 to 200 F) to bring out its full its full taste and unique aroma. Steeping 1 teaspoon of leaf per 8 ounces of water for 3 to 4 minutes will typically yield 2 to 3 satisfying infusions, although some oolongs will provide more. Another common method would be to enjoy the tea “Chinese style”. Merely place a few leaves at the bottom of a cup or glass, add hot water, and cover. After a couple minutes or so the leaf will unfurl and sink to the bottom of the vessel allowing you to drink from the top. When the water is down to just over the leaves, simply add more water. This style provides many infusions for a small amount of leaf. Of course, the most famous way to drink oolong tea is Gongfu style. (Gongfu is the Chinese term we derive “Kung Fu” from. It means to do something skillfully.) Though it takes many years to perfect the true Gongfu tea ceremony, a simplified version can be practiced at home.

Black Dragon - Oolong Tea

Introduction: From the famous oolong producing area of Anxi in Fujian, China. Sometimes, the anxi oolongs are also refered to as ‘se zhong’, meaning a blend of several oolongs. The processing of this tea is quite similar to the more popular Tieguanyin oolong tea. Oolong teas range in their flavor and color spectrum - from light green to dark. Tea merchants will refer this color spectrum to the level of oxidization in the tea leaves. Low (5% to 25%) oxidized teas are more green. Black Dragon is a 40 percent oxidized oolong. The leaves are tightly rolled into small pellets. When infused, the leaves unfold into their original state and provide many infusions. Toasted aroma with a sweet, strong, grain aftertaste.

Tin of 85 gr.

Tao of Tea - Oolong Tea - Black Dragon

Green Dragon - Thé Oolong

Introduction: Grown in the mountains of Anxi county, the home of oolong tea in China. There are several oolong tea plant varietals (at least 12) growing in Anxi, each with its own distinct flavor profile. The most famous of these varietals is Tieguanyin. Ben Shan Green Dragon is a young varietal (a clonal), grown primarily near Raoyang village in Anxi. The plant varietal has strong, heavy branches and brightly colored, distinct, elipse shaped leaves. It shares some similarities in fragrance with the Tieguanyin varietal.

Flavor Profile: Smooth, golden infusion with grassy, toasty and light floral notes..

Tin of 85 gr.

Royal Phoenix - Oolong Tea

Introduction: In some areas of the Phoenix Mountains in Guangdong province, China, there are wild tea plants that remain a source for some of the best oolong teas in the world. Leaves from these old tea trees are prized for the flavor and full body. Making Royal Phoenix oolong invloves precise rolling and baking techniques to fully develop a toasty texture, fragrant aroma and taste similar to nectarines and peaches.

Tin of 85 gr.