Country of Origin: China Region: Guangdong Province Shipping Port: Guangzhou Grade: Dan Chong Altitude: 2500 ft. above sea level Manufacture Type: Orthodox Infusion: Pale green yellow liquor Cup Characteristics: orchid floral notes. Ingredients: oolong tea
Information: To understand this tea it is important to know of the legendary origin of the special bush which grows the tea: Centuries ago when China was ruled by state despots and tea was being discovered and coveted for its curative powers, there was a regional ruler (despot) living near Jinxing Shantou. Several of his staff while tending the palace's orchid garden came upon a bush that was very similar to a tea bush. Being a hot sultry and humid day - and it was a good time to have a rest anyway - they heated water and dropped some leaves into a pot to let them steep. The flavor and aroma that arose was something they had not encountered before. One of their group excitedly ran to the palace with a sample to tell the despot. He tasted this nectar of orchid tea and declared it a state treasure. The worker was instructed to show the despot the location of the bush. Once the location was known all the workers were put to death in order to preserve the secret of this outstanding tea.
Oolong tea is semi fermented which is one of the reasons it has such a unique character. The semi fermentation gives the tea a little bit more body than a green tea but less body than a black tea ... and interestingly it gives the flavor a very unique twist. You will see that the edges of the leaves are slightly bruised (brownish). The reason for this is that the tea was shaken in a bamboo basket to bruise the leaves to start the oxidation process. |
