Oolong

Oolongs are considered by many to be the most difficult to produce and the most interesting to taste. Unlike green teas, which are not allowed to oxidize at all, or black teas, which are 100% oxidized, oolongs are partially oxidized, falling somewhere in between. Wherein they fall depends upon the tea. They can be very green (Ti Kuan Yin) to almost black. Taiwan, still referred to as Formosa in the tea world, is considered by many to be the champion of oolongs. Prized Taiwanese oolongs are often drank in a ceremonial style in which the tea is brewed for short periods with many infusions (30 seconds to one minute per infusion, for up to 20 infusions depending upon the tea!). The Taiwanese treasure their tea and with good reason (see Tung Ting Oolong).

Brewing: Due to the wide range of colors and shapes there is no one way to brew an oolong. Darker or flatter oolongs I brew more like a black tea: 3-4 minutes at around 200°... Greener or more curled, balled oolongs I steep less: 2-3 minutes at around 180°, with multiple steeps. High grade oolongs are meant to be steeped multiple times, make at least three or four cups from them and look for flavor changes as you go!

CHINA

1 LB 1/2 LB 1/4 LB OZ

FORMOSA-TYPE $14.00 OOLONG Large delicate leaves, complex flavor. $7.00 $3.50 $1.38

HAIRY CRAB $36.00 $18.00 $9.00 $2.75 OOLONG MAO XIE From Fumei Village, Daping Township in Anxi County in southern Fujian. Anxi County is known primarily for its Ti Kuan Yin teas, but Hairy Crab (along with Qi Lan and Ben Shan oolongs) is one of the better known varietals. The tea is named for the fine downy hairs on the underside of the tea leaves, and the tea gardens are situated at an elevation of 900 meters.

CHINA

1 LB 1/2 LB 1/4 LB OZ

MAGNOLIA $30.00 $15.00 $7.50 OOLONG A smooth Chinese Oolong carefully scented with Magnolia blossoms. $2.38

SINGLE TRUNK $88.00 $44.00 $22.00 $6.00 OOLONG (Dan Cong) This aromatic tea is made of large leaves grown on tall trees that require ladders for plucking. The garden is in the Chaozhou District in the Guangdong Province at an elevation of 1,400 meters. Great for gongfu brewing (1/2 minute for first infusion, 1 minute or so for each infusion after that), or I like it cold-brewed for an iced tea as well.

TI KUAN YIN $68.00 SPECIAL GRADE Best of the Chinese Oolongs, from Anji. $34.00 $17.00 $4.75

TI KUAN YIN $36.00 $18.00 $9.00 $2.75 IRON GODDESS OF MERCY Very aromatic, traditionally brewed with a high proportion of tea to water in small pots to savor flavor through five or six infusions, known as gongfu brewing (kung fu tea ceremony), or “patient effort”.

TAIWAN

FORMOSA OOLONG $42.00 SPECIAL GRADE Rich aroma, pale golden-green brew. TUNG TING $120.00 OOLONG Exceptional natural aroma, fresh flavor. $21.00

$60.00 $10.50

$30.00 $3.13

$8.00

Tung Ting Oolong