before the leaves unfurl, (which takes a number of steeps as it’s very tightly rolled) there’s a sharp brittleness to the tea, with lots of soapy, perfumey floral note. Not altogether pleasant, but I’ve learned never to judge an oolong before it opens up to you.
As the leaves do open up, it smooth out, nothing perfumey and only the slightest soapy aftertaste. Sweet florals, light grass, lettuce, there’s a nuttiness to it as well — pecan. There’s the sort of mineral butteryness I find in Sencha, with a slight bitterness. The florals are very perfumey to me after the leaves have fully expanded, I find there’s a bit of a strange smell around my set while brewing this one.
I have also found that through this session, the flavours have come full circle, back to the soap and perfume of the rolled leaf, just with a fuller body. Some may enjoy these tastes, but I can’t really see this ding dong ever be something I’d seek out.
Flavors: Floral, Grass, Lettuce, Nutty, Pecan, Perfume, Soap, Sweet
