Country of Origin: China
Leaf Appearance: dark, long and twisted
Ingredients: oolong tea
Steep time: 30 seconds
Water Temperature: 195 degrees
Preparation Method: clay gongfu sized teapot
Liquor: pale amber
I think that I’m in love. Dancong is one of my favorite types of oolong and this selection is a great example of why I adore it so much. This tea was wonderfully complex and lent itself perfectly to gongfu style brewing. At first, there was a strong aroma of almond. This transitioned into a honeyed apricot taste that is often associated with dancong. The finish had a long orchid note that lingered in my palate after each sip. An earthy undertone kept everything balanced. It had major staying power as I enjoyed infusion after infusion over the course of an afternoon. This tea is part of +Adagio Teas‘ Roots Campaign which I love because it gives the tea drinker an opportunity to get to know the farmer that produced their tea. Their interview with Pan Hui Huang gives me an even deeper appreciation for each cup that I make. Although it would lend itself to western-style brewing, this tea really shines when prepared gongfu style. I used a very small teapot when writing this review but you could also use a gaiwan or even a yixing that is dedicated to this type of tea.
You can find out more about this tea here.