To brew this tea, I used about a tablespoon of leaves and four cups of boiling water. Steeped in a glass teapot, it was easy to see the leaves as they released a burnt orange liquor. Upon initially steeping this tea, the first thing I noticed was the incredibly light mouthfeel. After the first cup, the flavour continued to linger in my mouth. This oolong has a much lighter taste than other oolongs I have tried. It’s a delicate taste, and very good.
The taste itself…in the first few sips of a cup, one can really taste the leaf, but the flavour seems to fade as one finishes a cup. Perhaps the initial flavour, light as it is, coats the taste buds in one’s mouth so that subsequent sips merely slide through the mouth.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this tea. The flavour was a bit too light for me, but it was still enjoyable to drink. This was very reminiscent of the oolong served in Chinese restaurants with Dim Sum.
I’ve decided that I will give teas that I review an approximate rating, on a scale of 0-100, based on my personal enjoyment of this tea (not it’s comparison in specific areas to other teas). Canton Tea Co’s Big Red Robe oolong receives a 92/100 for its exceptionally delicate taste, light mouthfeel, and lasting flavour.
EDIT: I later tried resteeping these same leaves. This was a major disappointment, as I got barely half of the original body and flavour. This lack of “stamina” in the leaves significantly decreased my rating of this tea (now an 85/100).
Preparation
Comments
If I may, it seems like the tea didn’t give you more than one strong cup because you used a single tablespoon for four cups of water. I would actually try using a tablespoon for one cup of water (8 oz.). However, I understand this review was a year ago… so you might not be planning on ordering any more ;)
If I may, it seems like the tea didn’t give you more than one strong cup because you used a single tablespoon for four cups of water. I would actually try using a tablespoon for one cup of water (8 oz.). However, I understand this review was a year ago… so you might not be planning on ordering any more ;)
Yes, you are right. It was not a good method of preparation on my part.
Haha, looking back, I realise my lack of experience with tea preparation and hope that I have since improved.