Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Peony Tea S
Tea Description:
In spite of its curious sounding name in English, the Dong Ding Oolong is one of the most well-known and beloved teas from Taiwan. It’s strong rich flavor and lingering aftertaste has enchanted countless drinkers across the generations.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
The more acquainted I become with Peony Tea S, the more impressed I become. This is a company that is dedicated to delivering the very best teas … and this Dong Ding is proof of it. While Dong Ding is one of the Oolong types that I have a little less experience with (I’m much more familiar with Tie Guan Yin and Ali Shan, for example), of the few Dong Ding Oolongs that I’ve tried, this is certainly right up there with the very best! It is so delicious, my mouth actually seems to water in between sips as my taste buds anticipate the flavor of it.
What I noticed first with this Dong Ding was it’s fruity character. It has a strong fruit-like presence, with tastes that are reminiscent of sun-dried fruit such as a dried plum or possibly a raisin. It has that sugary sweetness of the dried fruit … and then I notice a more caramelized kind of taste to it … like raisins that have been reconstituted and then cooked back down into a sweet, caramel-y sauce.
There is very little floral note here – oh… there’s some, certainly. I notice a certain amount of floral tones in just about every “green” Oolong I encounter, but, the floral tones seem to be washed over by the sweetness of the fruit. In the background, I notice a hint of nutty flavor that begins to develop.
Also in the background, I notice the faintest vegetative note – almost like it’s tempt the palate into a game of hide and seek (“try and find me!”) and along with it is a savory quality. Not quite sour … not quite. Not at all bitter. Very smooth, sweet and relaxing to sip, but all the while, it keeps my taste buds guessing with its complex character.
This Dong Ding is truly memorable – one of the best I’ve tried. Sweet and caramel-y; those are the flavors that stand out the most to me. Some astringency, a slight dry sensation toward the tail, leading into the aftertaste that is gently sweet.
