Thanks so much for the tea samples, Aprtea.com! Look at the gorgeous green oolong. That is what I love to see. My own sample looks slightly more crushed than the perfect uncrushed leaves in that picture, but that could be the fault of the packaging into the sample foil. I do agree that the flavor on this is ‘faint’ as the name suggests. But if not brewed carefully, a teaspoon and a half of leaves will get a bit astringent. I do enjoy this oolong, but wish there wasn’t that bite to it. The bite seemed to disappear for the second and third steeps though. At the same time, I don’t think a teaspoon of leaves would have been flavorful enough. The flavor is slightly floral with hints of fruit and a lot of sweetness that lingers on the tongue. I swear I can also taste a hint of minerals, whatever those may be. The second steep is much the same, even though I chanced it with only seven minutes after boiling, it didn’t get too astringent and the mug was still a lovely mellow yellow color. The third steep was also very sweet. I think these leaves could have went on for many more steeps. I do like a good oolong! This one might be good but not great. I like more flavor with less astringency. It probably all depends on the steep parameters.
Steep #1 // 1 1/2 teaspoons for a full mug// 18 minutes after boiling // rinse // 1 minute steep
Steep #2 // 7 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #3 // 10 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
https://www.aprtea.com/chinese-anxi-tieguanyin-oolong-tea-faint-scent-type-xiaozheng-grade-one-250g/
Harvest: 2018
