This sample not only comes from a great company, but it even comes in a vacuum-sealed bag, so it should be extra fresh. I put 5 grams of leaf in a 6 ounce pot and steep at 180° for 30 seconds. The pale jade liquor smells like cream, nutmeg, and a hint of cinnamon. The taste is extremely creamy with a hint of vegetal in the back of the throat. It's mild and smooth with a clean finish, and the spiciness doesn't come through in the flavour.

The second infusion isn't as creamy or as smooth as the first, but the spiciness does come through a bit. There's a heavy note of vegetal flavour. The third, at 45 seconds, is the best steep yet. Mineral, cream, and steamed veggies are all balanced and drawn together with a hint of spice. The clean finish has just a hint of citrus.

After that, the teas muddle a bit, though each cup is still mellow and smooth. I get a total of nine infusions, ranging up to five minutes for the last.

Steep three is the first really brilliant one, and its disappointing to see it slump immediately after that. If more infusions were like that one, this would be a really great tea, but while it isn't amazing, it's still a solid oolong.

— To purchase T-oolongtea.com Lishan Tian Fu Oolong Tea, 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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