Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Tea Description:
This pure, unique Vietnamese oolong produces a jade-green liquor with a freshly sweet floral aroma.
This tea was previously known as Jade Dragon.
Learn more about Spire Tea on their website.
Taster’s Review:
From the name of this tea (Jade Dragon) and the above description, I had expected a green liquor but what I brewed from this tea was more of an amber colored liquid.
Well, the color might not be “right” … but the flavor is superb! I brewed this the same way I’d go about brewing most Oolong teas – in my gaiwan. I started out with a quick rinse to reawaken the leaves (15 seconds in hot water, and then I strained off the liquid and discarded it). Then I brewed the first infusion for 45 seconds, and added 15 seconds to each subsequent infusion. I combine the results of two infusions to make each cup, so my first cup was infusions 1 and 2, my second cup was infusions 3 and 4 … and so on! Unfortunately, there was a mishap with my second cup – and it ended up all over the kitchen counter. I chose not to slurp it off of the counter, although I have to admit that I was tempted.
My first cup was amazing. It was buttery and sweet, with a lovely texture that was creamy and soft. The flavor was delicately floral, and I picked up subtle honey notes and hints of a fruit-like flavor.
As I said, the second cup was not consumed, but my kitchen counter seemed to enjoy it, or perhaps what it enjoyed was the sponge bath that followed. It’s not talking, so I don’t know. But the third cup was slightly more focused a flavor than the first cup. I found the first cup to be a softer sort of flavor, while the third cup had more of a distinguished flavor, especially the floral notes. There is not so much of that creamy, buttery flavor in this cup though. Still delightfully honeyed, with fruit notes in the distance.
My fourth and final cup (with a third cup so flavorful, I decided these leaves had more to offer!) was similar to the third cup, although I found that the flavors were softening at this point. There was less astringency with this cup, and the floral notes seemed to meld with the honey notes to offer a sharp yet sweet taste.
Of the three cups that I enjoyed, I think my favorite was the first. I really loved the buttery taste and texture of that cup, although I really enjoyed the flavor of the cups that followed. It’s definitely worthwhile to take the time to resteep this one.
A really lovely Oolong!
