USDA Organic Mountain Oolong
$12.00 - Sold Out
To bring out the best in this leaf, make sure to rinse before brewing. Rinsing is simple enough: pour hot water--we suggest 90c--into the teapot or gaiwan with three to four grams of dry leaf and immediately remove the water. This heats up both the apparatus and the leaf and prevents heat loss during the real steeps. Next, brew at same temperature for ninety seconds to two minutes maximum for the first steep. When finished, completely separate the leaf from the brew; the easiest way to do this is to either remove the infuser or pour out the tea into a cup or into a second teapot. Oversteeping will change the flavor and mouthfeel, as well as reducing the maximum re-steeping potential. The complexity of this oolong is well worth the slight increase in brewing difficulty. For our Organic Mountain in particular, a little extra attention to detail will bring out a world of hidden flavors.
After a quick rinse, the fragrance of the first pot immediately recalls orchids in bloom. Sip slowly and savor it; this tea is light bodied yet persistent so be prepared for a gradual, multi-layered tasting experience. We detected strong floral notes that matched the nose in the first few seconds, wrapping into an umami finish--savory yet still airy and clean. Tastes are at once nasal and low in the mouth, flowery on the palate and mouthwatering on the tongue. Enjoy a slow fade into a slightly sweet, nectarine finish. At this point it is best to reach for more hot water onward to the second steep and beyond.
