265 Tasting Notes
So this is a pretty unique oolong from what I can tell and another free sample from YC. It is definitely nice! Strong chocolate flavor with some honey notes and sweetness. The roast is well done and on the lighter side.
Tengchong is a volcanic area in Western Yunnan near Baoshan. The altitude of the plants is 2300 m. Not sure what category of oolong this would be – perhaps it’s it’s own thing. The term Nong Xiang means “strong aroma,” though this tea does not fit that description. The flavor is much stronger than the aroma of the dry or wet leaves. I wonder if the age has had an effect?
Flavors: Cashew, Chocolate, Honey, Nutty, Roasty
A free sample white tea sent with my latest YC order (which was for the purpose of getting some cakes of Haiwan’s 2005 Old Tree). This is a pretty nice and fruity white with a bit of forest floor in the background. Smooth with medium low sweetness. No bitterness or astringency for sure. Sold in 6 g Dragonballs.
Flavors: Forest Floor, Fruity, Sweet
Wow this is some phenomenal matcha from Kettl! They seem to be one of the few companies that still have a decent variety of high quality ceremonial matcha available.
Very creamy, very smooth. No bitterness or astringency. I have only tried usucha thus far, but I think it would be great as koicha too and plan to try it as such :).
Flavors: Butter, Cashew, Creamy, Nutty, Smooth, Vegetal
The last of the dancongs from my order. This one is pretty good as well but not amazing. Nothing that stands out, but it is fairly nice. Aofuhou means “behind a dip in mountains.”
Harvest: Spring 2025
Location: Wudong Shan, Guangdong
Elevation: 800-1000 m
Flavors: Fruity, Roasty, Sweet
2/4 dancongs from the order and this one is very unique! Super interesting experience to drink this one and I definitely like the complexity. Worth the money for sure.
Aftertaste is > 2 mins. Mouthfeel is buzzy/electric feeling that lasts into the aftertaste. Moderate astringency; no to minimal bitterness. Mild sweetness.
Harvest: Spring 2025
Cultivar: Huangzhi Xiang (“Yellow Gardenia Fragrance”)
Location: Wudong Shan, Guangdong
Elevation: 700-900 m
Flavors: Chestnut, Citrus, Floral, Fruity, Grapefruit, Roasty, Sweet
Ordered a set of dancong oolongs from Bitterleaf, my first order from the company. I am definitely impressed with their first offering! This is the best Yashi Xiang I’ve tried without a doubt.
Aftertaste lingers 30-60 seconds. Nice sweetness that crescendos in later steeps.
Harvest: Spring 2025
Cultivar: Yashi Xiang
Location: Wudong Shan, Guangdong
Elevation: 700-900 m
Flavors: Floral, Honey, Honeysuckle, Milky, Sweet
This is my first time trying Wenshan Baozhong and I am impressed!
The style is supposed to be a lightly oxidized oolong that blends notes of a Chinese green tea with an oolong quite well. It was one of the first styles of Taiwanese teas exported from the country, being brought first to Europe in the late 1800s. While it is typically made from Qing Xin (“Green Heart”), one of Taiwan’s well known cultivars, this example is Tsui Yu (TTES #13, “Emerald Oolong”), often called the Jade Oolong cultivar.
This tea has no bitterness or astringency. Almost no sweetness. Hardly any aftertaste. Lasts about 8 infusions.
Cultivar: Tsui Yu (TTES 13)
Harvest: April 10, 2025
Location: Pinglin area, Wenshan, northern Taiwan
Flavors: Creamy, Floral, Spinach, Vegetal
Dang this is another winner for sure! Super unique for a high mountain oolong. Very floral but in a way that is different to any tea I’ve had. I’m so bad with flower smells, but seems like gardenia maybe? Just a (uneducated) guess.
No bitterness, astringency, sweetness. Very smooth. Velvety smell with thick mouthfeel. Good longevity at 7-8+ infusions.
Harvest: May 16, 2025
Cultivar: Qingxin
Location: Tsui Feng, Lishan
Elevation: 1900 m
Flavors: Butter, Cream, Floral, Smooth
