Oolong & rock tea
Oolong sits between green and black tea, from floral Tie Guan Yin to roasted rock tea.
Three oolongs worth knowing
Tie Guan Yin
From Anxi, Fujian. Leaves are rolled into tight balls. Light styles smell of orchid. Traditional roasted styles taste warm and nutty.
Wuyi rock tea
Grown among the cliffs of northern Fujian and traditionally roasted over charcoal. Da Hong Pao is the famous name. Expect mineral, dark fruit and toast.
Phoenix Dancong
From Phoenix Mountain in Chaozhou, Guangdong. Long dark strips, sorted by scent, such as honey orchid. It turns bitter fast if oversteeped.
Rock tea drinkers chase yan yun, the rhyme of the rock.
Choosing an oolong
Oolong & rock tea
Hand-picked pieces are on the way.
Good to know
What is oolong tea?
Oolong is a partly oxidized tea. Leaves are withered and tossed, then heated to stop oxidation partway, which puts it between green and black tea.
How do you brew oolong tea?
Use 5 to 7 grams in a small gaiwan or pot with water near boiling. Steep about 20 seconds, then a bit longer each round. Light styles like 195°F.
What is Da Hong Pao tea?
It is the most famous Wuyi rock tea. The old mother bushes on the cliff are no longer picked, so what you buy comes from cuttings or blends.
