A solid but otherwise mostly unremarkable oolong after the 2nd or 3rd steeping. The leaves do have a lot of patience, however, so it lasts a long time. The first few infusions have some aspects of note, however.
Infusion 1 – whereas the dry leaves have that strong berry aroma, once brewed it changes to more of semi-sweet greens, like black cherry leaves, while the liquor’s aroma is similar but milder. The taste is of a light oolong with notes of Cap’n Crunch berries. Don’t add lemon to this one boys and girls, as it brightens it up but puts some astringency in the spotlight.
Infusion 2 – the black cherry leaf aromas have been replaced by fresher barely-sweet notes, a bit like flower greens. And while the liquor smells a bit like a distant draft coming from a hot and humid floral greenhouse, the flavor is pleasant like stepping inside said greenhouse. The berries are gone now. This is a berry-less greenhouse ;-) Nice easy sip, no adulteration needed, and would make a good base for lighter or mellow iced teas.
Once you get past 3 steepings, it has incredible patience and keeps on producing cup after cup, but nothing remarkable to note. I got to infusion 7 at around 10 minutes before I got the first hints of bitterness or astringency. Looking at the photos, #7 still looks like the third steeping, and until I line them up side-by-side next time I believe the flavor profile was pretty consistent after #3 as well.
Flavors: Berries, Flowers, Fruit Tree Flowers, Plant Stems, Plants
