Country of Origin: Taiwan
Leaf Appearance: deep green, tightly rolled
Ingredients: oolong tea
Steep time: 30 seconds
Water Temperature: 200 degrees
Preparation Method: porcelain gaiwan
Liquor: bright gold
Dong Ding was one of the first oolongs that I really fell in love with at the start of my tea journey. At the time I was working near Gramercy Park and I would get a cup to go every morning from Amai Tea & Bake House (before they closed). It’s with that sensory memory that I dove headfirst into this sample from Tea Ave. I was very happy to see that they provided directions for both gaiwan and western style brewing. This tea is a good middle ground in terms of both oxidation and roast. Overly green oolongs tend to upset my stomach but this one was just right. The taste was sweet with wonderfully complex fruity aromas. There was a deep underlying vegetal note that reminded me of baby spinach. The mouthfeel was fairly thick with an almost buttery texture. Even when I started extending the brew times in my later infusions, there was no bitterness or astringency.
Dong Ding sample provided by Tea Ave.