Similar to many oolongs this tea has a very strong smoky character. For me personally it doesn’t open until the 5th steep. I really enjoyed the underlying sweetness which YS described as honey, but I get more of a raisin/sticky rice character. This oolong steeped into its 7th steep for me before losing more of the notable accents while keeping its color. I live at about 1600 meters and was unable to get the water to reach the classic 99 C. I think it developed nicely at 90 C and will make it a get up and go tea for days when I need a BIG jump start in the morning!
BREWING RATIOS, TIMES AND TEMPERATURES
WASH
90 C for 1 to 3 seconds
CHINESE STYLE
5 g/100 ml (1/2 cup) 90 C (194 F)
Steep: one 20 seconds, two 25 seconds, three 30 seconds, four 35 seconds, five 40 seconds, sixth 45 seconds, seven 50 seconds
WESTERN STYLE
1 Tbsp/1 cup (2 g/240 ml) 194 F (90 C)
Steep: one 2 minutes, two 2.5 minutes, three 3 minutes, four 3.5 minutes,
SCORING
85/100 or 4 STARS
NAME
Phoenix Village “Mi Xiang” Shui Xian Oolong tea * Spring 2016
(“The Magic” Water Sprite)
PRODUCTION
Spring 2016
VARIETAL
Shui Xian (60 year old tea treas)
LOCATION
Phoenix Village, Wu Yi Mountains, Fujian Province, China
PICKING AND PROCESSING
Up to third or fourth leaf
ELEVATION
500 meters (1640 ft.)
DRY LEAF APPEARANCE
Medium/large leaf, broken, a few stems, raisin brown color
DRY LEAF AROMAS
Charcoal, cedar, sweet sticky rice/raisin, with a hint of mineral salt
WET LEAF AROMAS
Charcoal, cedar, dry leaves with raisins
TEA COLOR
Sherry brown
MOUTH FEEL
Dry and salivating begin and smooths out at the 5th steep
TEA FLAVORS
Mineral and sweet sticky rice
AROMA (BREATHING OUT AFTER A DRINKING)
Charcoal and cedar
WET LEAF APPEARANCE
Medium/large leaves broken, partially open with seaweed and red/brown color
