Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Nan Nuo Shan
Tea Description:
This tea is produced in Gande, a village famous for the complexity of its Tie Guan Yin tea. Clear and fragrant, it possesses a mild flowery taste and a milky texture.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Mmm! In an effort to get all the reviews finished that I want to get finished before May 31st, I’ll be writing about a lot more Oolongs! No complaints from me! I love Oolong!
And this Anxi Tie Guan Yin Oolong from Nan Nuo Shan is so delightful. Sweet and floral with a beautifully silky texture! It’s smooth from start to finish.
My first cup (infusions 1 – 3 … smaller gaiwan!) has very little astringency. I do notice a slight drying sensation toward the tail. Mostly what I notice is the sweet honey-like flavor that is accentuated with the soft, creamy texture and the lovely floral notes that evoke thoughts of orchid. No sharpness with this first cup – it has an almost vanilla-y flavor to it. Sweet, creamy and luscious!
And that cup was GONE before I could finish writing about it – that’s how delightful it tastes!
My second cup was stronger in flavor than the first. The creamy notes have waned and I’m not picking up on as much of the vanilla flavors that I noticed in the first cup. It’s still quite delicious but definitely different than the first cup. The floral notes are more pronounced now. I still get that lovely honey-like sweetness. The texture isn’t as silky as the first cup but I’m still noticing very little astringency here.
This cup seems to be more rounded – it’s not as sweet as the first – it’s more balanced between sweet and savory elements.
My third cup (infusions 7 – 9) was still really flavorful, even after so many infusions! That’s one thing you’ve got to love about Oolong tea – they deliver on the flavor and on mileage! They keep on steeping!
The cup was not quite as strong as the second cup. The floral notes were softer than the second cup, but stronger than the first. I still get that delicious honeyed note and I’m starting to pick up on the faintest notes of fruit now. Apple! Sweet and even hints of tart that provide a palate-pleasing roundness of flavor.
A really nice Tie Guan Yin, one of the nicest I’ve ever had! I have been so impressed with the teas that I’ve tried from Nan Nuo Shan these teas are of exceptional quality … seriously, if you haven’t tried anything from them yet, I recommend them highly!
