Thank you so much for sending me a generous sample of this, Green Terrace Teas.
Method: Gongfu session with gaiwan. 2 second rinse. Steeping times: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 60.
The dry leaf aroma naturally smells roasted, and I also caught candied caramel. After the rinse, the aroma drastically changed – toasted rice, kale, grilled zucchini, and – after the leaves aired in the bowl a bit – banana chips. The wet leaf aroma was different following the fifth infusion: a mixed juice, or maybe fruit salad, with strawberry, banana, and blueberry.
The liquor throughout the session was light gold and full-bodied, and had a wonderfully silky smooth texture. This is one of those teas you just have to let sit in your mouth. There are mostly notes of cooked dark green vegetables, notably collard greens and kale. Underneath these notes was a fruity sweetness – specifically banana at some point. Towards the end of session, when the leaves were beginning to give, the fruit disappeared and a floral quality took over.
This is my first Dong Ding oolong ever. I’ve had very good experience with it. I tend to be most affected by an oolong between the second and fourth infusions, during which, for this one, I felt like one of Dali’s melted clocks (I originally thought melted chocolate but that brings up a totally different taste when one thinks of roasted vegetables). My rating is based not on my experience – rather, lack of experience – with Dong Ding but instead on my overall impression with this individual one.
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I don’t think I had any Dong Ding but your review makes me want to try
Really? I’ve inspired! Was it the melting clocks bit or the odd vegetable/fruit combo?
Supposedly Dong Ding is one of the few oolong teas still roasted more or less traditional, whereas most others are getting lighter and greener. Your note suggests that this one is a little greener with the veggies taste.
Veg/fruit combo. Fruity V8 ;-)
I don’t think I had any Dong Ding but your review makes me want to try
Really? I’ve inspired! Was it the melting clocks bit or the odd vegetable/fruit combo?
Supposedly Dong Ding is one of the few oolong teas still roasted more or less traditional, whereas most others are getting lighter and greener. Your note suggests that this one is a little greener with the veggies taste.
Veg/fruit combo. Fruity V8 ;-)