Wuyi Qilan Oolong

Today has been busy busy with spring cleaning. I need to start making dinner but I am taking a break for a bit with this oolong. As always, I want to say that I’ve never been the biggest fan of Wuyi oolongs, but some of them I do rather enjoy.

This one seems to be one of those examples. The first steep was honeyed, with lightly toasted grain notes. Honestly I drank it up pretty quickly because it was so tasty. Today I am really digging the bready, roasty notes, moreso than usual. The second steep is also sweet and more toasty. Slightly minerally and rocky, as well, like a stream high in the mountains. This one seems particularly well balanced, and no one flavor really overtakes the rest. The minerals come out more and more in later steeps. I have to say that I have not detected any orchid-like florals in this, but I’m not sure that they would fit quite right to me. Anyway I am really enjoying this relaxing session of tea this afternoon.

This oolong was from the April Reserve TOMC. It’s a little roasty, a little incense, pleasant thick mouth. This one has the rock taste more than some of the others I’ve enjoyed, & is not nearly as sweat as the others. I’m wondering if it’s the same Wuyi Qilan that Verdant now offers on their webpage? If it is, I still have some in my Wuyi Oolong box. If it isn’t, then this is a sipdown.
I guess I’ll never know…

This came as a sample from Terri Harplady, called Qilan Wuyi Oolong but that page on Steepster will not let you click on it to review. So after reading reviews, I found others were having trouble with the name and that it might have been entered incorrectly.
I was also confused by the flavor of this one, it is not available anymore anyway but it had flavors I wasn’t expecting.
I followed instructions from the Verdant website, did a rinse then steeped for 1 minute.
The flavor had a touch of floral and some astringency and scents of bamboo. A little hint of fennel.
Shows you how many flavors and scents can be achieved with one Camellia Sinensis!!!!! I would love to watch them roll, roast, etc. to learn how they do it all!!!!!

Second Review:
After trying this gong fu style and not being blown away by it, I tried this again, western style. Much more to my taste. Brewed it 2:30 at 180 degrees. Almost a buttery mouthfeel, light grassy notes with floral overtones. Delicious.

First Review:
I’m using this tea to try gong fu style for the first time. All steeps at 205 degrees with 3.5 grams of tea and ~4-6 ounces of water.

1st (30 seconds): Light-bodied with floral notes.
2nd (45 seconds): Still light-bodied but with more vegetable overtones. Just barely sweet. Almost silky in my mouth.
3rd (60 seconds): The liquor has a more intense color, which I find more aesthetically pleasing than the pale liquors. The aroma is stronger and more grassy. The flavor is more grassy and full-bodied. Of the three so far, I like this one best. It’s just a more satisfying cup of tea.
4th (75 seconds): The liquor is about the same as the 3rd steeping, and the aroma is similar to the 3rd but a bit weaker. Flavor is a bit weaker than the 3rd.

Conclusion: The third steeping was by far the best. I should either tweak my gong fu style, or stick with western style.