cooks corner

This is another treasure that has been sitting at the back of my tea cabinet. At first when I looked at the leaves I thought it was a black tea and not an Oolong. This tea has been in the tea cabinet stored in a Harney container for maybe 10 plus years. The intial steeping in my Gaiwan resulted in a throughly enjoyable brew that really is so borderline black tea but with the Oolong traits as well. It was honey sweet and it had this coppery glow with a darkfruit flavor. An energizing quality as well. I am assuming this was good tea to begin with but with the aging this tea is so nice.

In all honesty I have no idea how old this tea is. One of those teas that I have in back of the cabinet. I read that Keemuns keep longer than any other black tea. I brewed this basket style as you will now assume is my method of brewing black tea. I like it this way. It works. It’s delicious. Anyway, this I used maybe close to 2 tsps and according to many reviews of Keemun Mao Fengs, I steeped it for close to 6 minutes. The result is a glorious dark red brew with a slight smoky aroma. This tea is absolutely fantastick! Was it the aging? I know it was a good tea to begin with. This tea is penetrating and complex. A Keemun lovers dream. Thankfully this store is close to me. This tea is well worth putting aside for an experience like this….

This is one of my teas that I forgot when I bought it. So upon brewing I thought I could be in for some magic. It has a lovely, light floral aroma. I was generous with the leaf in the Gaiwan. The flavor in the first steep is light. I must add that the aroma has me intoxicated. If I could taste the aroma I would be in heaven. Maybe in the second steep. The second is darker. The aroma is more subdued. There is that electrical sensation in my mouth and into my body. I am getting the chills with each sip. Not to the extent that I get when I drink the 1998 Xingyang Golden Leaf. Not as extreme but they are there just the same. I would have to guess that this has been at the back of my tea drawer for at least 10 years. I am loving the way it has made me feel. This is quite a tea buzz to say the least….

I did 2 infusions and placed them in a gallon glass bottle at room temperature. I then put it in the fridge. The result is truly the nectar of the Gods!