I have been debating whether to begin with Teasetter’s medium grade or their high grade Iron Goddess of Mercy (what a name!). I decided to start low and climb to the heights.
Well, if this is “medium” grade, then I have to say that I’m impressed! The gnarled nuggests are dark green with shading and quite fragrant. They produce a pale yellow veering green liquor, which to be honest reminds me a lot of later infusions of a couple of milk oolongs I’ve tasted of late. Clearly this oolong is also on the green side of the spectrum, but it has a bit less milkiness and seems more limpid—tastewise—to me.
Very enjoyable and nothing like the low-grade filter bag oolong dust which turned me off from this type of tea in a very big way for far too long!
second infusion: just as good as the first
third infusion: beginning to wane. Do people really get “several” good infusions out of their oolong teas, as I read somewhere? Am I being too demanding on the flavor front?