SkySamurai’s mystery advent tea #4 backlog from 12/17
Hmm, I wonder if SkySamurai will try to trick me with some of these teas. This LOOKS like a black tea, but slightly dusty or purplish. But then the instructions say to steep at 185 degrees so now I’m really doubting if this is a black tea. The brew looks very light brown but upon tasting it, it seems to me like a Ruby varietal. That plumy, marzipan, but with a hint of menthol type flavor. I really like Ruby teas. If I had to have a second guess, I would think it was a very flavorful purple tea, but I don’t think purple teas are usually this flavorful. The second steep is very faded in flavor, mostly tasting of minerals, so this is another clue that makes me think it is a Ruby varietal. They always fade on me with the second steep. haha. Was I correct? NO. Also never heard of zealong!! This is apparently a black tea from New Zealand that has something to do with oolong!
Steep #1 // 1 1/3 teaspoons // 24 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // 10 minutes after boiling // 3 min
2020 Sipdowns: 102 (one of Mandala’s puerhs – forgetting the name now…)
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Tea from unusual terroirs is always so interesting to try!
I have had a couple of zealongs. A friend (One of the Sandys on here) lived in NZ for six months and actually got to drink it at the plantation.
Gingko from Life In Teacup blogged about Zealong in 2016.
http://gingkobay.blogspot.com/2015/06/remember-zealong.html?m=1
ashmanra – that is so great. I’m always seeing photos of tea plantations and they look so peaceful.
White Antlers – thanks for the link. I guess zealong is very rare now!
Whiteantlers. the aromatic zealong was one of my favorites loose and in sachet form. That was my overpriced fuel during student teaching at school and for writing the master’s research work.
And teasipper, I found that too. A lot of the Zealong teas are really close to Hawaiian ones and Taiwanese teas. I know that’s intentional since I’m guessing that some Taiwanese producers passed on their know how in New Zealand-I know they did in Hawaii since some moved there.
Daylon-LOL! Makes me wish I had keener tastebuds and also that I’d had the opportunity to taste it.
tea-sipper Curious now as to what ever eventually happened to Zealong…I only found that link because Gingko recently posted on Steepster again after what seems like years of being absent/silent.
Tea from unusual terroirs is always so interesting to try!
I have had a couple of zealongs. A friend (One of the Sandys on here) lived in NZ for six months and actually got to drink it at the plantation.
Gingko from Life In Teacup blogged about Zealong in 2016.
http://gingkobay.blogspot.com/2015/06/remember-zealong.html?m=1
ashmanra – that is so great. I’m always seeing photos of tea plantations and they look so peaceful.
White Antlers – thanks for the link. I guess zealong is very rare now!
Whiteantlers. the aromatic zealong was one of my favorites loose and in sachet form. That was my overpriced fuel during student teaching at school and for writing the master’s research work.
And teasipper, I found that too. A lot of the Zealong teas are really close to Hawaiian ones and Taiwanese teas. I know that’s intentional since I’m guessing that some Taiwanese producers passed on their know how in New Zealand-I know they did in Hawaii since some moved there.
Daylon-LOL! Makes me wish I had keener tastebuds and also that I’d had the opportunity to taste it.
tea-sipper Curious now as to what ever eventually happened to Zealong…I only found that link because Gingko recently posted on Steepster again after what seems like years of being absent/silent.