Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where To Buy: Fong Mong Tea
Tea Description:
Lishan High Mountain Oolong Tea is one of the most unique and highest quality Oolong. Grown in the Li Mountains of Taiwan, this tea is harvested at the elevation of 1200 meters in an isolated area. Due to the cold weather and relatively harsh environments, the plants grow at a very slow rate and in small quantity. The tea is either harvested during the winter or summer and sometimes only once during the entire year. After the harvest, the leaves are carefully handled and aerated during the long ride to the nearest tea maker. Despite the difficult growing conditions, the leaves are selected as the highest quality of Oolong.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
There are few teas that get me as excited as Oolong teas, and my favorites are by far the AliShan and the LiShan type Oolong teas (is there a difference between the two? I love them both, and I would be hard-pressed to be able to determine a difference between them. I mean, I know that there are differences, but I really enjoy both of them almost equally.) So, when it came time for me to sample this Taiwan Lishan High Mountain Oolong (or Wulong) Tea from Fong Mong Tea, I was a very happy tea drinker!
The dark green tea leaves, wound into tight pellets, took their time to completely unfurl. It took about six infusions to completely unfurl … but that’s quite alright with me … that just means more tea time enjoyment for me! The aroma of the brewed tea is sweet and floral, with notes of “green” … what I mean by that is … you know that smell that you experience when you walk into a forest after a rainfall? How it smells of sweet, green leaves? I smell hints of that in my teacup.
But it’s the flavor of a Lishan Oolong that captures my heart every time I drink it. It’s so sweet, smooth and creamy. It’s a complete joy to sip … so relaxing and restorative.
At the start of the sip, I notice sweetness, with notes of flower and cream. As the liquid washes over my palate, I notice the softness of the texture. Toward mid-sip, I notice hints of fruit notes. Nothing really distinct … just … hints of what could be apple. As the sip progresses toward the finish, I start to notice a vegetative note.
It is at this point where I notice vague spice notes – this is a very faint taste, but I notice it more toward the finish of the sip … as if the spice sort of settles onto my palate. Just a hint.
A lovely, complex Oolong from Fong Mong Tea! If you like your Lishan teas like I do … this is one you should try!
