I was surprised that a tea that looked so dark in the package, became so delicate once I brewed it.   As an un-roasted oolong, it looked and smelled airy and fresh, like a green tea.  But because it was the slightest bit oxidized during processing, it was redolent of cream and orchids and honey.  As a bonus, it maintained a vibrancy and astringency that wrapped it all together with flair.

It was a breeze to brew for such a light tea, (often, the greener oolongs require temperatures around 1750-185 degrees.)  A teaspoon of the rolled leaves per eight ounces of boiling water made a plenty flavorful pot within two to three minutes.  More leaves created a deeper astringency.

With patience and the proper tools -a Gongfu tea pot, cups, tray, pitcher, strainer, and waste water cup, (whew), these leaves can last all day.  Lacking such an array, I brewed according to T-Oolongs "competition" instructions as noted above, and got two tasty pots from the leaves.  Alas, I wanted more.  That's a good thing.  I rate this tea a 10.

— To purchase T-oolongtea.com Shanlinxi Zhu Wan Oolong, or for more specific information on ingredients or the story behind this particular tea, click here to go directly to the manufacturer's web site.

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