I don’t believe I’ve had a Huang Guan Yin before, but I like wuyi oolongs and was looking forward to trying this. Because I was at home today, I decided to do more of a gong fu preparation.
I used my little yixing teapot devoted to wuyi oolongs and did a quick rinse of the leaves.
Steep #1: 30 seconds. I got a very sweet, honey-like tea liquor that’s a medium yellow. I feel like there are some peachy notes in here as well as a slight roastedness. Definitely has a nice lingering aftertaste. Norbu compares it to a graham crackers but it reminds me more of toast with a bit of marmalade. Definitely liking it so far!
Steep #2: 20 seconds. Now the graham cracker flavor is definitely coming to the forefront. Definitely much less mineral-y and plummy than other wuyi teas I’ve had in the past. Still getting lots of honey and orange marmalade notes. Not a trace of bitterness in sight, which is great! I have to say I am finding this quite delicious.
Steep #3: 10 seconds. The lighter steep has brought out some lighter, fruitier notes, more peaches and apples seem to be present as well as a bit of butter. This is one non finicky tea.
Steep #4: Still insanely good although getting a bit lighter in flavor. Like a honey drizzled peach over a graham cracker crust. Heavenly! Flavor is still great.
I happen to like light to medium roasted oolongs and this was definitely a surprise. I was expecting something quite different but the result was great. Gets high marks from me for flavor, resteepability and non-astringent/bitterness.
I did like this quite a bit better than the Fenghuang oolong I had a few days ago. This isn’t as aromatic and flowery, but you can’t have everything in life. I have been fairly impressed with Norbu tea so far.
Final verdict: YUMMM! I’m not sure how this could get any better for me personally, so I’m just going to ahead and give it 100 points.
Preparation
Comments
Yep – I definitely loved it though I know some people don’t really like roasted oolongs as much as I do.
@Bonnie – I just checked my ratings and I’ve given 10 100’s but I also have 1,003 tasting notes!
@Azzrian, if you decide to go for it, I also thought the
Feng Qing Gold Tips were good!
Thank you I will go look up the Gold Tips too!
I have never ordered from this company!
So one more to the list of not just teas but companies to try! LOL Oh boy.
Wow! This sounds so Delicious!
Yep – I definitely loved it though I know some people don’t really like roasted oolongs as much as I do.
AMY! YOU NEVER GIVE 100! (Well, not easily!) This must have caused another earthquake!
OMG I have to get this NAOW! Graham Cracker!!! WOW!
@Bonnie – I just checked my ratings and I’ve given 10 100’s but I also have 1,003 tasting notes!
@Azzrian, if you decide to go for it, I also thought the
Feng Qing Gold Tips were good!
Amy, you single handedly make my wishlist grow daily (others contribute). Keep on keeping on :)
ohh this is going straight to my shopping list after such a review!
Thank you I will go look up the Gold Tips too!
I have never ordered from this company!
So one more to the list of not just teas but companies to try! LOL Oh boy.
ROFL its already on my shopping list! Haha
Hey…where’s Scott?
@Bonnie, I don’t know but I’m sure he’ll be back. :)