Steenbergs Oolong

Oolong or Wulong tea is a partially oxidized tea that has a floral flavour with hints of summer hedgerows. Steenbergs Oolong is a semi-oxidized Qilan leaf from Fujian that has a winy flavour with spicy notes. The dry leaves have a woody, jasmine like aroma with slight hints of dry wood.

The brew itself has a rich winey character like an aged sherry with spicy notes of cinnamon and rosewood or summer hedgerows that have been slightly scorched by the sun. Generally, oolong tea has the smooth, light and refreshing characteristics of green tea with some of the additional depth of character provided by the firing process to give it hints of black tea.

Tea brewing: Use a warmed tea-pot and put 1 teaspoons of oolong tea leaves into the pot, add freshly boiled water over the leaves, then leave to infuse for 5 minutes. I like to rinse the leaves before adding the boiling water, so as the water is reaching boiling point tip some water onto the leaves and pour off after 10 seconds, then add the boiled water.

Tasting notes: Copper coloured brew that is thick, gamey and has dry woody notes of cinnamon and rosewood.