Moon Bloom Dancong from White2Tea is medium heavy oxidation and roast oolong tea made from the Yelaixiang varietal. Elements of incense and tropical fruit intertwine with slight pleasant bitterness in later, longer steeps.
A tea friend said Dancong Oolongs are often the toughest teas to figure out, and less tea in the dose often results in better flavor/scent. Working on restraint, never my strongest suit, with this Lao Cong Man Tang Xiang Dancong Oolong from Tong Xin She Teahouse.
@ellestad@tea For Dan Cong and rock oolongs I usually use just boiled water, 6ish g per 100 ml but sometimes 7 g sometimes 5 g, and 20 second steep times. I used to like those teas sweeter and more aromatic with less bitterness and body, so I brewed them with colder water and shorter but nowadays I prefer the full package and I don't care that much about the bitterness. For some rock oolongs (don't know about Dan Cong) it is possible to brew them extra hard with boiling water and nearly minute brew times.
Gold Magnolia Dancong from White2Tea is a Lighter roast, lighter oxidation oolong. Varietal is "jin yu lan". I should maybe have drunk it sooner, it is a little shy about its flavor.
I can't say I think White2Tea's "Red Duckshit" is amazing Dancong, better than an everyday tea, but not exceptional. It is a little shy to express its character in the first steeps, then doesn't last for many more. It is maybe a little old, which might account for some of the shyness.
Drinking a wulong in a style I don’t often try this afternoon as I catch up on my correspondence! This is a toasty roasted wulong from Taiwan (Qing Xing cultivar) and it’s very toasty, almost malty. The aroma after the first steep reminds me a lot of caramel and toast and squash and berry jelly (I swear it makes sense when smelling/tasting!) and mellows out beautifully afterwards, very balanced between the roasted and sweet notes.
I tend to like very flowery and light wulongs, so the fact that this one is so tasty to me is very surprising and fun. Also, perfect for a very cold January day.