Experiment and Discover.
While this guide provides a starting point for brewing our Oolong Tea, remember that the best way to enjoy tea is by experimenting and discovering your own preferences. Oolong Tea like Taiwanese Jinxuan used as a base for our orchard collection is known for its creamy texture and wonderful floral aroma. Since our Oolongs are primarily rolled or curled leaves, you can expect a different flavor development with subsequent extractions when the tea leaves are re-steeped.
Factors that can impact the experience include steeping times, tea-to-water ratios, and even water temperature to find the perfect balance that suits your taste buds. The world of tea is as diverse as its flavors, so embrace the exploration and create your unique tea ritual.
Brewing Equipment.
- Gaiwan or Teapot
- Tea infuser or Filter
- Tea cups
- Hot water boiler/ kettle
- Digital Scale
- Timer/ mobile phone
Brewing Steps.
Measure the Tea: A general guideline is one teaspoon (~3g) per 8 ounces of water (280ml), but feel free to adjust according to your personal taste preferences.
Preheat the Teapot or Gaiwan: Pour a small amount of hot water into your teapot or Gaiwan, swirling it around to warm the vessel. Discard this water. This is to improve temperature stability and minimal difference from the optimal temperature when hot water is added.
Add the Tea Leaves: Place the measured tea leaves into the teapot or Gaiwan.
Water Temperature: We typically brew our Oolong in the Orchard Collection with water at around 185-200°F (85-93°C).
First Infusion (Rinse): Pour a small amount of hot water over the tea leaves and immediately pour it out. This quick rinse helps awaken the tea leaves.
First Brew: Pour the hot water over the tea leaves again, allowing it to steep for about 60 to 90 seconds for the first infusion. Adjust the steeping time based on your taste preferences. Within this time, you can start appreciating the shape of the leaves changes and expands. You can start observing how the liquor color develops from transparent to light golden.
Smell and Sip: We pride in serving tea that engages not only your palette but also your olfactory senses. As you're pouring the tea, take a moment to inhale the rich aroma before savoring the rich, creamy and buttery taste notes.
Subsequent Infusions: Our oolong tea can be re-steeped multiple times. For each subsequent infusion, try increasing the steeping time slightly. Enjoy and appreciate the evolving flavors with each brew.
Tips:
- Experiment with different steeping times, water to tea ratio to find the perfect balance of flavors.
- Consider using a transparent teapot or Gaiwan to appreciate the unfurling tea leaves during steeping.
- We love to pair Oolong Tea with light desserts like a sesame cake or a pineapple pastry or enjoy it on its own for an indulgent experience.
