Indulge in Excellence - Taiwan Oolong

Friday afternoon, time to cup good tea in my "kitchen" !
Instead of having these fine teas by myself, I decide to set up the display to share with my tea friends on each tea I cupped this afternoon.

The first one, Wenshan Pouchong (sku#60436)

Pouchong, the esteemed
Famous for its exceptional captivating aroma; this tea demands the most superior skills in every step of processing. Pouchong is often used as gifts bestowed to elders and special friends.
This 60436 is a very good choice for Pouchong fans, reasonable price for the quality. The one we have in stock is 2011 winter crop. Limited stock.

Followed by Milk Oolong (sku#60459)

Jade Oolong, the classic
This naturally fragrant high mountain tea instantly captures tea drinkers’ love. After repeated withering, oxidation and wrapped-rolling, the pleasant aroma and delicate yet lasting flavor are sealed in the semi-balled, tightly rolled leaves. The Jade Oolong I selected is made from Jin Suang cultivar, one of our Yilan Charm - sku#60459, has a milk note in aroma, flavor also aftertaste. This is the special character of this cultivar, not to be flavored or scented by means. (*we noticed that some vendors might have milk oolong, which is scented...not the same case here.) Suggest you to try this one before our stock is gone...Planning to increase our purchase when Spring 2012 crop arrives...)

The next one is Amber Oolong (sku#80452)


Amber Oolong, the gongfu
The craftsmanship of baking Amber Oolong requires great effort and many years of practice. The toasty aroma with a natural sweet lingering finish can be enjoyed after many infusions. This tea is often used in traditional Gongfu tea ceremony. The one here is made from Chinsin cultivar, baked by a senior tea master Mr. Wu in Datung, Yilan County - A Marvelous choice of our "Yilan Charm". Mr. Wu has stocked many super super great Aged Oolong of his own.

Here comes the Oriental Beauty (sku#20436)

Oriental Beauty, the exquisite
With the special visit by green leaf hoppers in early summer, Oriental Beauty delivers an exceptional fruity and elegant floral aroma with an intense, complex flavor followed by a rich honey and ripe peach aftertaste. This is truly the Champagne of teas, only from Taiwan.
To get a descent Oriental Beauty with affordable price is truly a challenge. The one I cupped today is our sku#20436. It might not have the beautiful leaf appearance, actually more naturally broken leaves to be found. B ut, hey I like its flavor and the price. *As you know genuine Oriental Beauty must have one sprout and two tender leaves remains intact for each piece... ) Come to 2012 WTE, we make sure you can taste the top of line...if TTMA would be so generous to offer us the sample to share with tea enthusiasts who visit our booths...

Next, the exciting Brandy Oolong Ruby 18 (sku#20605)

Brandy Oolong, the darling
Made from Taiwan’s unique cultivar, Brandy Oolong has been skillfully processed with indoor withering, high-oxidation and heavy rolling to bring out the rich notes of each cultivar. Ruby 18, FB 27, FB 74…to name a few which have become the modern classics for tea enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds. I am having Ruby 18 of Summer 2011, from Lungtan, Taoyuan County. This one is crafted by a young tea pro, William Huang. Amazingly nice with rich notes of cinnamon and peppermint, very round and smooth.
Salute to all for a great weekend...JP and I will be serving this tea for our TAP-SF group, who is to host a Taiwan Oolong workshop in San Jose on 2/18 (tomorrow).

The last, not the least though... Bliss Oolong (#35603)

Bliss Oolong, the harmony
This tea can be a result of blended with various estates, crops, batches, or types; or of scented or mixed with herbs and tisanes. Its flavor and aroma always brings bliss – a taste of harmony.
The one I got here is Bliss Oolong - Earl Grey (sku#35603). For those who enjoy Earl Grey, I would like to challenge you with this one. We use economical Jade Oolong to be rolled with Bergamot essence during the wrapped rolling process and seal the aroma and flavor in the tea, instead of spraying on the leaf's surface. Very enjoyable, hot or iced.
Take a closer look at the wet leaves - you will find that these leaves were machinery harvested at a lower altitude tea garden, and these teas are intend to be used for the value-added. We have worked with our vendors to use them as tea base for our Bliss Oolong. So far we have developed a few popular ones. Beside Earl Grey, there are: Sweet Olive, Jasmine, Magnolia, Pomegranate, Ginger Orange, American Ginseng. We hope you find your favorites...drink it pure, no sugar or milk...

Have a wonderful weekend to all.