Want to get into darker Oolongs.
Hello, it seems like most of the Oolong I drink is more on the green side. Lishan, TGY, Dayuling. Recently I tried a roasted dong ding and have really come to appreciate the darker, roasted, spicy flavors. I would like to know what other kinds of Oolong I should try if I want to explore the darker / roasted side more.
Re: Want to get into darker Oolongs.
Wuyi teas such as Da Hong Pao, Rou Gui, Tie Luo Han, Shui Xian, are all roasted oolongs and are classified as Yancha teas.mageta wrote:Hello, it seems like most of the Oolong I drink is more on the green side. Lishan, TGY, Dayuling. Recently I tried a roasted dong ding and have really come to appreciate the darker, roasted, spicy flavors. I would like to know what other kinds of Oolong I should try if I want to explore the darker / roasted side more.
Re: Want to get into darker Oolongs.
Thanks for the suggestions, I'll check those out. I have another question as well, rather than start a new topic I'll just ask it here.
When browsing teas there seems to be a lot in a name...
2011 Horse Head Rock Rou Gui - Zhenyan Cha
2011 Mi Lan Xiang Phoenix Dancong Oolong
Those are from five star tea, I just picked two at random. So you recommended Rou Gui as a type of tea, what's the other stuff in the name? 2011 is the year obviously, are the other parts referring to the region or the name of the farm? Or do they refer to a sub style of that type of tea? I'm assuming the former to be the case. It's kind of confusing sometimes because I don't know the names of all the specific teas.
When browsing teas there seems to be a lot in a name...
2011 Horse Head Rock Rou Gui - Zhenyan Cha
2011 Mi Lan Xiang Phoenix Dancong Oolong
Those are from five star tea, I just picked two at random. So you recommended Rou Gui as a type of tea, what's the other stuff in the name? 2011 is the year obviously, are the other parts referring to the region or the name of the farm? Or do they refer to a sub style of that type of tea? I'm assuming the former to be the case. It's kind of confusing sometimes because I don't know the names of all the specific teas.
Re: Want to get into darker Oolongs.
Mi Lan Xiang thats type of this Dancong.
Milan Xian Dancong (Honey and Orchid)
Zhi Lan Xiang Dancong
Huangzhixiang Dancong
XingRenXiang Dancong
BaXian Dancong
Da Wu Ye
JiShiXiang Dancong
Youhuaxiang-Dancong
probably all.
Horse Head Rock? I think its from "Matou Yan". Thats some big rock in Zhenyan;)
ADD. yeah. true.
thats Matou Yan
Milan Xian Dancong (Honey and Orchid)
Zhi Lan Xiang Dancong
Huangzhixiang Dancong
XingRenXiang Dancong
BaXian Dancong
Da Wu Ye
JiShiXiang Dancong
Youhuaxiang-Dancong
probably all.
Horse Head Rock? I think its from "Matou Yan". Thats some big rock in Zhenyan;)
ADD. yeah. true.
thats Matou Yan
Re: Want to get into darker Oolongs.
- 2011 : you're right, year of production, that one's easy,2011 Horse Head Rock Rou Gui - Zhenyan Cha
- Horse Head (or Ma tou) Rock : one of the small areas located in the UNESCO Worl Heritage Site, also known as Zhen yan or Wuyi scenic reserve, located in the Wuyi mountains in the Fujian province,
- Rou Gui : one of the most well known cultivars of the Wuyi wulongs (also known as rock teas (= Wuyi yan cha)),
- Zhenyan Cha : see above. Which finally means rock teas made within the limited area of the Zhen yan area.
- 2011 : done,2011 Mi Lan Xiang Phoenix Dancong Oolong
- Mi Lan Xiang : translated in "honey orchid fragrance", one of the subtypes of a subcategory of chinese wulongs known as... :
- Phoenix : with Phoenix = Feng huang = range of mountains located in the Guangdong province this time, close to the city of Chao an (and, as for Wuyi, you could even have specific mountains (= shan) or cliffs, such as Wudong shan for example),
- Dancong Oolong : another wulong subcategory. This time, Dan cong means "single tree" (among other closely related meanings). It can mean a number of things but always related to the idea of a single tree that can :
. be harvested separately from other trees, each "single tree" harvest being unique in harvesting, manufacture, and also fragrance,
. be at the clonal origin of several trees being harvested together and giving a single batch,
. be at the origin (non clonal, propagation from seeds) of a number of different trees,
. be just a general term for all teas produced from the Feng huang area with trees that can range from the very old tall tea trees grown in "semi-wild" environement to plantation trees extensively grown and harvested.
So many things in one name
If you want to be even more confused, do have a look to the Pu'er family, wulong teas are so simple compared to them.
Fortunately, Teachat's here
Re: Want to get into darker Oolongs.
Hi mageta,mageta wrote:Hello, it seems like most of the Oolong I drink is more on the green side. Lishan, TGY, Dayuling. Recently I tried a roasted dong ding and have really come to appreciate the darker, roasted, spicy flavors. I would like to know what other kinds of Oolong I should try if I want to explore the darker / roasted side more.
Apart from Yanchas, you can also have a try with more oxidized and/or more roasted teas : Hung shui and Bai hao types of wulongs from Taiwan (rather different compared to roasted Dong ding), Dan cong teas (ranges from not roasted to heavily roasted), roasted TGY also (to compare to your green TGY).
That's already a lot of teas to discover, enjoy
Re: Want to get into darker Oolongs.
Be advised that good examples of rock teas are expensive. Some have to be sit in jars for six months or more after firing to get the roast taste down.
I think, for different reasons, you'd like Rou Gui, and Baijiguan. One is relatively spicy, the other is relatively low roast and oxidation.
I think, for different reasons, you'd like Rou Gui, and Baijiguan. One is relatively spicy, the other is relatively low roast and oxidation.
Re: Want to get into darker Oolongs.
I think all the yanchas can be good. Suggestions are to look at Tea Urchin's offerings and Jing Tea Shop's offerings for a good selection to choose from. Samples can be a good way to go, too.
Re: Want to get into darker Oolongs.
I went with a 1995 Rou gui from jings. I haven't purchased from that particular vendor before so I'm pretty excited.
Re: Want to get into darker Oolongs.
For someone new to Wuyi teas, I would have recommended a recent harvest to begin with so you could see where these teas go when they are aged. I urge you to try a recent harvest and compare the flavors, etc.mageta wrote:I went with a 1995 Rou gui from jings. I haven't purchased from that particular vendor before so I'm pretty excited.
Also, Shui Xian aged, can be a delightful experience and not expensive.
Re: Want to get into darker Oolongs.
I've never heard of that particular vendor before, but that does look good. I'm low on money right now but I might pick that up some time down the road.tingjunkie wrote:Here's a perfect place to begin to set your standards with.
Jun 16th, '13, 00:54
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Re: Want to get into darker Oolongs.
MTR is TIM, TIM is MTR.mageta wrote:I've never heard of that particular vendor before, but that does look good. I'm low on money right now but I might pick that up some time down the road.tingjunkie wrote:Here's a perfect place to begin to set your standards with.
Re: Want to get into darker Oolongs.
+1tingjunkie wrote:Here's a perfect place to begin to set your standards with.
Re: Want to get into darker Oolongs.
Chip wrote:MTR is TIM, TIM is MTR.mageta wrote:I've never heard of that particular vendor before, but that does look good. I'm low on money right now but I might pick that up some time down the road.tingjunkie wrote:Here's a perfect place to begin to set your standards with.
Ohhhhh! See, this is why I like the idea of vendors being noted.