$25 Tea Lessons

Yesterday I purchased Li Shan (Lishan) Oolong (Taiwan) from a reputable tea merchant.  It was a whimsical purchase; I entered the tea shop to view the interior design.  I was offered a cup of tea (Sencha) and asked what type of tea I was looking to purchase.  I told the staff that I like Japanese greens (currently drinking a Gyokuro from Sullivan Street) and that Ro-tea likes dark, heavily oxidized oolongs.

I was offered to smell two Japanese greens and two oolongs.  I was pleased with the Scent of Mountain and purchased 2 ounces.  When I smelled the oolongs, neither smelled heavily roasted but I did not feel comfortable questioning the expertise of the staff.  I asked for a description of each and still neither sounded like the oolongs preferred by Ro-tea.  Finally I asked which was the darker, more roasted of the two, and the staff pointed to the Lishan Oolong.  I purchased 2 ounces, the minimum amount.

My jaw dropped -- figuratively -- at the register.  The oolong cost approximately $25 for 2 ounces or $140 per pound!

Image: Li Shan, third 1-minute steep, dry leaves, wet leaves

We steeped the oolong this morning.  It was an excellent; smooth and complex with layers of flowers, honey, cream, and conifers.  The nose was floral, maybe lilac or hyacinth.  However, it is a green oolong, not a highly roasted oolong.

I should have known that Lishan would not produce bold, dark, toasted flavors.  Lishan is a high mountain oolong. Lishan translates to pear mountain and is grown , specifically from Jade Mountain in the Taichung County of Taiwan. Lishan is lightly oxidized to maintain its floral characteristics.  I should have asked for a Tie Guan Yin or even a Dong Ding for its nutty flavor.

Lessons: trust my nose, ask questions, bring a list, keep learning about tea.