Jo has seriously hooked me up: Organic Milan Dancong

I have recently been tailoring the menu for an upcoming tea tasting event, and had decided that a Wuyi Rock Oolong was going to be the star of the show. I adore the unique flavours as well as the interesting history of this tea. However, my favourite tea supplier informed me that they are currently sold out of Wuyi Rock.

Jo of Ya-Ya Teahouse kindly suggested some "worthy replacements", "you will not be disappointed" he told me. I got very excited about trying yet another type of Oolong and became increasingly obsessed with looking out for the bright yellow courier van showing up in my driveway. 

This morning the driver turned up bright and early with a big smile and said "More tea for you".

He knows me well.

Well, Jo has seriously hooked me up. I opened the bag of Milan Dancong Oolong and breathed in deeply the dry leaf fragrance. I sat up straight, my eyes almost popping out of my face. I smelt a deep, rich, preserved apricot aroma, and was immediately transported to my grandmothers house, childhood memories of eating grandma's preserved apricots on ice cream. This is one of the things I love about tea. It has a power to transport you through it's incredible range of aromas and flavours.

The dry leaf before brewing. Dark chocolate brown leaves with an intense preserved apricot/stone fruit, floral aroma.

                                      

                                   The leaves after infusion which have turned a lovely green shade.

Oolong leaves lend themselves well to the "bowl tea" brewing method: a few leaves, hot water and a tea bowl. The leaves are larger, unbroken and tend to sit at the bottom of the cup/bowl. 

This tea genuinely excites me. After only a short 30 second infusion, the brewed flavours are already rich and fragrant. I have read that Oolong teas "satisfy the mouth and throat". This is my first time experiencing that fully. I am left with a beautiful lingering floral flavour, a syrupy feeling in my mouth and a pleasant warmth in my throat. I am instantly relaxed, my thoughts have become fully focussed on enjoying this moment. 

I am delighted to be sharing this tea at a tasting this weekend. This feels like the perfect tea for our modern, stressful, tech-filled lives.

A tea leaf after the second infusion. Just beginning to unfurl. Huge!

RLH.