Shan Lin Xi High Mountain Oolong

I thoroughly enjoyed this Steepster Select tea! It smelled wonderful and tasted the same! I think that the description/tasting note on the package, hit it right on. This tea makes me appreciate oolong tea and how complex it can be. Try it!

My last to try from the Steepster select box. Green oolongs are usually not something I prefer due to their florality, so I’m not really expecting to be bowled over by this. But, after reading the story of the tea itself and the farm it comes from I am curious to give it a try.

Steeped gong fu method per the Eco-Cha website instructions.

First steep, 1:10.
Smells of butter, tastes strongly floral. Reminds me strongly of a Ti Kwan Yin (though without that thick, oily mouthfeel), down to the tightly rolled balls that constitute the appearance of the dry leaf. Perhaps I am imagining it but as the tea cools I do think there’s an indistinct fruitiness that is trying to assert itself. Those flowers are pretty tough to contend with, though. A pretty yellow liquor and zero bitterness.

Seconds steep, 1:30.
Now that some of the leaves have unfurled I am seeing a lot of branches still attached. Interesting. I wonder how they were concealed? Did those tight little leaf balls really contain that? Mm.. the dry leaf now holds a very sweet pear note. I hope the liquor does as well. It has, sort of. The floral note is still the strongest but fruit (apples or pear) has become more obvious too. Much more juicy and sweet to taste. Definitely like this steeping better.

Third steep, 1:50.
In the smell of the dry leaf – flowers again, a darker, spiced fruit. Cinnamon, strangely enough. This steeping has considerably less floral and is becoming a bit astringent. A mix of astringence and fruit, but the flavor is waning in general.

Fourth steep, 2:20.
This will be my last steeping, as it’s really really light on flavor now…almost tasteless. Flowers are back, fruit is gone. It’s come full circle, if you will.

I will say this was an enjoyable experience. It solidified what I already knew about my tastes and greener oolongs. Still, it was the first time I’d ever gotten to do a gaiwan steeping of a green oolong and there is a lot to being able to smell and examine the leaf between steepings. It was quite relaxing and a great exercise in mindfulness, and that’s never a bad thing.

Subtle green and woodsy flavors with a bold milky aroma. I liked the sweetness on the nose, but the flavor profile was so timid compared to the aroma that I just wanted something more bold. Pleasant grassy green notes at the front, with subtle milky undertones that linger. Warming tea, nice for the wet weather outside. 7/10, would drink again.

I was surprised that this tightly wrapped oolong, unfurled to rather large, green leaves. First steep was more floral, second steep more sweet, third steep still a nice sweet full bodied oolong.

Very light and floral.

ahhhh time for an afternoon oolong. i JUST got this in the mail, totes ordered it after the steepster january sample (way to sell, guys!) – it is just as good as remembered. i think i’m in love with oolongs, and this might just be fighting for top spot against the comparable Tea at Sea high mountain oolong (theirs is indonesian, however). piney fresh damp mountain woods, right after a rain. cannot say enough how amazing this stuff is!