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Size: 16 oz. bulk loose tea
Origin: Taiwan History: From the heart of tea growing in Central Taiwan (Nantou county), this tea is named after the famous Dong Ding Frozen Summit mountain. More specifically, this tea is from the area known as Luchu, which has more tea farmers than any other place in Taiwan. Luchu is also the place where the original tea plants from mainland China were first propagated on the island. Today, there are several different Oolong varietals grown in Taiwan. This particular Dong Ding comes from a small, steeply terraced farm of less then 3 acres and has a complex roasted, floral aroma with a full taste and balanced sweetness and astringency. If brewed gongfu style, the taste and aroma change subtly with each infusion moving from an intense toasty aroma and refreshing, astringent brightness to a mellow, slightly floral, sugarcane-like sweetness. Oolong teas can be brewed in a variety of styles. For daily drinking, a smaller amount of leaf with a longer steeping time gives a rewarding cup with little effort. This tea’s tightly rolled leaf requires fairly hot water despite its lower oxidation. We recommend a temperature of 180 to 200 F to bring out its full taste and unique aroma. Steeping 1 teaspoon of leaf per 8 ounces of water for 3 to 4 minutes will typically yield 2 to 3 satisfying infusions, although some oolongs will provide more. Another common method would be to enjoy the tea Chinese style. Merely place a few leaves at the bottom of a cup or glass, add hot water, and cover. After a couple minutes or so the leaf will unfurl and sink to the bottom of the vessel allowing you to drink from the top. When the water is down to just over the leaves, simply add more water. This style provides many infusions for a small amount of leaf. Of course, the most famous way to drink oolong tea is Gongfu style. (Gongfu is the Chinese term we derive Kung Fu from. It means to do something skillfully.) Though it takes many years to perfect the true Gongfu tea ceremony, a simplified version can be practiced at home.
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