If I thought my readership was big enough to 'make a run' on
Tea-Village's online store and make haste with the rest of their
Bai Hao Oolong, I might not write this up. However, I know most of my readers are newbies like me, and the others are my patient teachers, experts even in the tea-world, and I assume no one is too much like me. For if it
were me reading this post, I would do, as I have done, and haul-ass to the website and buy a bunch of it! I did this exact thing after reading 'Steep Stories' blog post on a certain Da Hong Pao only last month, in which he loved a DHP so much that I went directly to the website and bought a lot of it, or rather, as much as I could afford.
But on with my review/rant on this Oriental Beauty from Thailand.
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| First rinse |
I love OB's. I have loved every one I've had thus far, some a lot less than others, which might indicate I didn't, in fact, 'love' them, but truly, I haven't had one yet I didn't enjoy most heartily.
My expectations for this one haven't been high, as I don't know anything about teas from Thailand and I think of OB's as a Taiwanese tea. First I have to say the scent when opening the bag was very, very promising. I opened it last night before bed, not to steep, but at least to smell, and I almost steeped it up right then and there, at 11pm, the smell was
that enticing. If it weren't for an aching shoulder from carrying around the new rescue dog, (who at 19 pounds is breaking my back with her need to be carried with her own long list of injuries,)I would have done it too, but the Tylenol PM beckoned and I made haste to bed instead of staying up all night drinking tea with an aching body that needed rest. So, good for me. I overcame desire.
Up at 7am and right to the kettle though!
I took my first look at the leaves as I weighted out four grams for my 120 ml gaiwan and was really happy with the visuals. This is a gorgeous tea, full of colors which matches that fabulous aroma perfectly. So at this point I am getting really excited.
Still, I have had oolongs aplenty whose scent and visuals did not equal the tasting experiences so I am not totally freaking out, but I am indeed getting hopeful I might have just found my next favorite Bai Hao.
I steeped 8 steeps at 195f and from the rinse to the last steep I loved every sip of it.
Man, I
am raving about this, aren't I? I like this tea so much I am not posting this until I buy 50 grams for myself, that way I don't have to worry!
Next up, Tea-Village's Oolong #12. I now have
very high hopes for further offerings from this company. Deep bow of gratitude from me on this insanely blustery, fitfully stormy day in Los Angeles where I am almost quiet literally stuck in the house due to boulders blocking tunnels and flooding in the streets! What a wonderful day!
