Drunken (Tipsy) Concubine (Zui Gui) Oolong

Usingng it to make this: http://heartsdelights.blogspot.com/2009/08/oolong-tea-jelly.html

Chilling now, will report on the outcome later…

This tea is good for four or five steeps; before steeping, rinse the leaves briefly (I just use a mesh drainer then toss the leaves in the bottom of a very thick glass that I cover with a ramekin top for steeping). I tend to add a touch of either a very neutral honey—sourwood or fireweed, never wildflower/clover/alfalfa/blackberry ones as they overpower—or minimally processed sugar ie Florida Crystals.

The aroma is absolutely stunning. It is a special occasion tea, though—not necessarily meaning I need company but meaning I really don’t grab it for everyday occasions but rather when my palette is especially sensitive and I am desiring this particular sensory experience as it’s $10 an ounce on average (now, at least—I got it for $4 an ounce ever so long ago… running low on that so I use it sparingly) and can’t imagine it for the jelly mentioned as all the gelatin and sugar (and it being cold) would take an already delicate flavor and for me ruin it. The first steep, stick to a minute… after that, it can handle up to 2:25 or so but I only usually steep that long at the final steep to prevent any bitterness. It is extremely calming… I just wish I could capture its scent as brewed and burn it in a candle! Oh, I should also mention… the glass I use is clear, almost the size of a stein… the reason simple: it’s BEAUTIFUL as it unfolds. Frankly, every time I open my special little triple layer bags of it, I just stare at the beautiful hand-rolled leaves and think fondly on the proud farmers as their teas were chosen for the silk road prize, ensuring them many years of success. (Angelina’s Teas, btw, is not the “maker” only a shop that is able to import it; Loong Tea is another that sells Zui Gui Fei, though their word is “Tipsy” Concubine instead of Drunken and is a bit more accurate to the original word).

Tasted like a Tie Guan Yin, which it is. I wanted a little bit more power, though I tasted the honey and nectar element to it. Again, the serving size was too small on my part. Overall, smooth, thick mouth feel and more honey with little bits of floral. I’ll come back to this one like with the others I’ve had recently.

Birthday tea #17

I just had to laugh when I read the description of this tea: “We hope that it will intoxicate the drinker with its sublime aroma and nuanced floral taste”

Anyways: I remember getting my portion of the group buy from Silk Roads and being disappointed because their oolong (which is what prompted me into this buy) looked pathetic. Honestly, the leaf looks puny and brittle. However, one must know that looks can mean absolutely nothing with tea; aka, pu’erh or grades of sencha. Brewing this was interesting because I’m use to high end TGY becoming some huge leaf in my teapot, but this just kind of sat there as it was; sure it opens, but it isn’t ‘large’.

Upon drinking this tea, I was happy :)
This is a TGY that has a beautiful honey nectar taste to it while providing the drinker with the floral notes that make TGY a TGY to me. Interestingly, to the best of my knowledge, is the first TGY I have drank that has a quite noticeable mouth feel. The mouth feel that come with a sweet TGY that has the floral notes… oh how wonderful a thing it is :)

This tea just goes to show that a small oolong can pack a smooth punch!

This tea has many subtle aroma and flavors. Like walking in the garden each cup and steep has different flavors. Subtle floral in the first cup and as you walk down the path more honey nectar flavors develop. Very enjoyable tea worth the cost.