LaFleurBleue kindly sent me some of this in a swap and she sent some great detailed instructions. Which I misplaced (so sorry, lafleurbleue, I appreciate very much the effort just the same) and then kept postponing trying this in case I got this wrong – it´s my first formosa high mountain oolong, did not want to screw it up. And having found finally the entry for this tea after making it, I did indeed screw up the process but it does not matter because it forgave me and keeps forgiving me.
I used maybe water at 70 -75 for 2 or 3 minutes for the first brew, and then a bit hotter water also for about 2 minutes for the next ones. Which is not as I should have done and will try the brewing instructions next time now I found them. The first brew I got some astringency, but not an unpleasant astringency at all. The next brews are fantastic IMO, a very clear liquor, a very light pure kind of taste but magically invigorating and a herbal type of taste which is just lovely. I am going to keep steeping these leaves – which btw is sort of magic, such tiny tiny little compact balls of green slowly unfurling (only at 3rd steep are they really open) to huge leaves and branches. Magical. If you get the chance brew this in a clear container to enjoy the unfurling.
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That’s something I’ll be wanting to try some time soon (or later) as well! Sounds great!
Glad you liked it. It’s indeed a very forgiving tea – I never got a bad cup from it, even when I forgot it way way too long in the steeper on my desk (like 10 or even 20 mn…). Agreed you have to wait until the 3rd steep or sometimes 4th to see the leaves totally unfurled.
I did love it! Still got most of it saved up – it really goes a long way. I can not stop getting amazed always at how such small small spheres expand to such large leaves.
I love these small balls, so lovely and this tea is really very refined and relaxing
That’s something I’ll be wanting to try some time soon (or later) as well! Sounds great!
Glad you liked it. It’s indeed a very forgiving tea – I never got a bad cup from it, even when I forgot it way way too long in the steeper on my desk (like 10 or even 20 mn…). Agreed you have to wait until the 3rd steep or sometimes 4th to see the leaves totally unfurled.
I did love it! Still got most of it saved up – it really goes a long way. I can not stop getting amazed always at how such small small spheres expand to such large leaves.
I love these small balls, so lovely and this tea is really very refined and relaxing