Country of Origin: China
Leaf Appearance: dark, twisted
Ingredients: oolong tea
Steep time: 30 seconds
Water Temperature: 190 degrees
Preparation Method: porcelain gaiwan
Liquor: gold
When I first opened this tea I had to double check the listing on Tribute Tea Company’s website. The name seemed to imply that it was Da Hong Pao but the leaves looked almost like a Phoenix oolong. It was unusual mostly because it wasn’t roasty at all. Then I remembered that a co-worker had once shared a similar tea from Teance with me. The oxidation is ow so the taste was mellow and fruity with slight floral notes. It lacked the usual cliff tea bitterness but for me that made it rather boring. I found myself missing the deep, multi-layered roastiness that I know and love. This could partially be blamed on the cold, rainy weather but it just wasn’t my cup of tea. That’s not to say that it was a bad tea. I just don’t think it should be called Da Hong Pao if it is not manufactured like one. Realizing that I’m a bit persnickety about that, you might enjoy this tea a lot if you don’t like a very roasted taste.
Scarlet Robe Oolong sample provided by Tribute Tea Company.