Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Tea Description:
A legendary oolong tea from the Fujian province of China. Ti Kuan Yin is one of China’s most beloved oolongs and is extremely time-consuming to produce (well over a dozen distinct steps in the processing are observed). The cup is warm, soft and soothingly mineral in texture. Notes of toasted walnut and tender collard greens. Intriguing lingering floral aroma, lightly orchid, and gentle astringency. A meditative cup.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I have been drinking tea for a long time, and the one tea type that never ceases to amaze me is Oolong. There are so many different varieties, depending upon where it’s grown and how it’s harvested and how long it’s oxidized. And even when I think I know a certain type of Oolong – like Ti Kuan Yin – I taste a new one and I’m amazed all over again.
This is a truly lovely Ti Kuan Yin. It has a pleasing nutty flavor to it with hints of mild vegetation that weave their way in and out of the sip. A delicious creamy taste that is reminiscent of browned butter. It has a smooth texture that is almost velvet-like, and a light astringency toward the tail of the sip cleanses the palate so that the buttery taste and velvet-y mouthfeel do not overwhelm.
At the start, I did not taste a strong floral quality to this tea, but at the point where I nearly finished my first cup, the floral notes began to come forward. They were still quite delicate at that point, but they offer a lovely contrast to the nutty sweetness, and with the infusions that followed, I found that the orchid notes that Adagio promised emerged.
And like most Oolong teas, this one is indeed good for multiple infusions! I managed four from the same measurement of leaves, however, I probably could have gotten a solid six infusions … unfortunately it was getting quite late in the evening and so it was time to stop.
A must try for those who love a good Oolong!
