Tasting Notes
Smooth with a woody nuttiness and notes of cherry and sweet fruit. Full bodied and complex while maintaining the brightness and soft tannins of a Spring tea.
Quantity
Use 0.07 - 0.14oz of leaf per 5.1fl oz of water (2 - 4g per 150ml).
Temperature
For the optimum infusion wash the leaf with 212°F (100°C) water, then use the same (slightly cooled) water to infuse.
Time
Infuse for 1 - 2 minutes, tasting regularly.
Infusions
You can infuse this tea at least three times. With each careful infusion, different subtleties of flavour are revealed.
Cost Per Cup
42¢ per cup based on 0.07oz of leaf per 5.1fl oz of water and 3 infusions.
This tea can be infused several times to reveal incredible subtleties of flavour. We recommend infusing your loose leaf oolong tea in a gaiwan tea set. Using small amounts of hot water with a high leaf to water ratio, and infusing many times rather than making one large pot can uncover countless flavours.
Use an inch of hot water at 100°C (212°F) to rapidly "wash" the leaf for a few seconds. You can discard this first brew. This opens out the rolled leaf and allows the water to penetrate.
Subsequent infusions are best made at high temperature but rapidly - just 20-30 seconds. You don’t need to reheat the water as you go – the softened leaf will require lower temperatures. In all we recommend at least six steps to allow the leaf to completely open out and reveal all its beauty.
You can also enjoy one teaspoon of leaves all day; coming back to the same pot and reinfusing it – but in this instance reheat the water to 90°C (194°F).
Here is a short video demonstrating how to get the most out of your precious oolong leaves with a gaiwan:
Taiwan
Organic Oolong
A rather extraordinary and delicious oolong from organic gardens near Taitung in Taiwan.
Full bodied and complex while maintaining the brightness and soft tannins of a Spring tea. This tea is low in tannins but very rich in flavour.
The first infusions are sweet and nutty leading to dark caramels and rich fruit. There is a notes of chocolate highly unusual for an oolong tea. Delicious served with savoury food.
This tea is crafted by a young farmer called Wei, and his mother.
He is supported by the local organic farming community who share skills and labour through the seasons.
