Jul 17
Laura’s Teaview Snapshot
 | "The 2nd infusion provided with exactly what I was looking for where oolongs are concerned---the ability to pick up on a variety of notes (aka complexity)."
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"Bao Zhong is a lightly oxidized oolong that exhibits characteristics of green tea and oolong tea. The long, twisted emerald colored tealeaves provide a fresh, clear green and delicate infusion with fresh flowery notes of lilac and lily." ---Rishi website.I have been so spoiled lately when it comes to oolong. I have a friend that is a self-professed oolong snob and has a taste for very high-end oolongs---particularly green ones. She has hooked me up with a couple tsps of her various oolongs in her stash so that I might try a wide variety of oolongs (the good complex ones). Now I have the privilege of sampling this Bao Zhong from Rishi. The Bao Zhong offers nice, twisted up dark green leaves and a very fresh scent garden-like scent--though not vegetal and not overly floral to my nose. I steeped this using just a teaspoon of leaves---one thing about oolong is that a little goes a long way. It steeped up to a light yellow-green color that was a bit different than what I have observed with most oolongs.
Even with being careful not to over-do it where the amount of oolong used, the first infusion was a bit strong, and a little on the nutty side. I enjoyed it, but I am generally a 2nd infusion girl---with nearly all unflavored oolongs the 2nd is my favorite and is followed closely by the third. The 2nd infusion provided with exactly what I was looking for where oolongs are concerned---the ability to pick up on a variety of notes (aka complexity). I was able to find some floral notes (though I couldn't especially pick them out as lilac or lily. It also provided a mildly nutty aftertaste. I am willing bet that I can get 3 and probably 4 good infusions out of this before it runs out of excitement for me.
This is a nice oolong, but it is a bit of splurge. That said, many of the really good oolongs are a splurge. I did not find this to be overly floral, nor particularly vegetal, or nutty. I taste no fruity, honey, or buttery notes at all. This is definitely a nice oolong, but I'm not sure that it is one that will make into my regular rotation when I decide to splurge on oolong. For me, Bao Zhong is more of an occasional splurge.
— To purchase Rishi Tea Bao Zhong, or for more specific information on ingredients or the story behind this particular blend, click here to go directly to the manufacturer's web site.
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