Project Origin Special Event: Aged BaoZhong

[Chip]

TeaChat member SilentChaos has asked for some assistance in promoting his second tasting via "Project Origin Tea" featuring 5 aged BaoZhong of various vintages. You can view details in the link below.

http://project.origintea.net/?topic=348

Although SilentChaos also runs OriginTea (the shop,) Project Origin Tea is not related and not even linked on the above linked page. So, if interested, you would have to order through the Project Origin Tea!

SilentChaos wanted to be certain he was not stepping out of line by also promoting the tasting, therefore I offered to post the topic (I am always in favor of more tastings! ). I may ultimately move this to Oolong, so if you do not find it here ... look there.

[teaisme]

oooo this one looks interesting I could use some nice aged boazhong

[futurebird]

yay! a tasting about something I like!

[Chip]

SilentChaos has informed that there are still plenty of seats at this virtual TeaTable!

clicky here ... http://project.origintea.net/?topic=348

I'll be moving this topic to Oolong "shortly"... so if it is not here, it is there.

[BioHorn]

Will be clicking. Cannot wait for this unique opportunity to try these rare BZ's head to head.

We are so fortunate to have tea enthusiasts who also are sharing their passion!

[nw-T]

Very excited for these Aged Baohzong!

[Chip]

I have moved this from TeaMerchant to Oolong ...

Hopefully participants will share their experiences here.

[SilentChaos]

Hi all

Just thought I'd give a quick update. Those in the first session should be receiving their teas in a day or two. The second session is being shipping out right now. Sign up is now for the third and final session. It's now or never!

[BioHorn]

My order arrived just now. It was expertly packaged!

Cannot wait to start brewing!

[SilentChaos]

Waaa Sweet Photo + Text:o Thanks!

I would recommend starting with the youngest and ending with the oldest. Brew with ample leaves and brew hot.
oh, and the last few seats are still open!

[futurebird]

It came today! I'm very excited.

I started with the Pinglin 1984.

Initial notes: I have never gotten so many infusions from an oolong, it has the staying power of puerh-- yet it has not been overly strong once. The infusions are darker than other oolongs I'v had. The flavor is subtile, more mild than one would think by looking at the color.

I'll have more to say after a 2nd and 3rd session. Though, yes, I like it! This will be FUN!

[ABx]

Wish I could afford it; aged wulong is kinda my thing. Hopefully there will be another in the future

[BioHorn]

Per Tony's suggestion, I started with the +- 10 year old, the youngest selection.

My experience with BZ is limited. Previous experience includes crusty poorly stored older samples.

I used 10 grams in a 110 ml porcelain gaiwan. I initially brewed it hot, at a full boil.

The first part of the session was a bit disappointing. The aroma and flavor were a bit mild. As the number of infusions (and days) went on, I got the tea to perform better. Eventually I got to what seemed to be the sweet spot of the infusions. Amazing to be able to go 3-4 days and push it quite hard. I played a bit with going under boil, about 200 degrees. That also worked well with long infusions. It seems like the stems play a quite important role in storing and releasing aroma/flavor. What impressed me with this sample was it's ability to withstand multiple long infusions without petering out. The character was, to me, a bit medicinal and anise-like, but toned down.

Looking forward to comparing this tea with the coming samples.

[tenuki]

A couple of links I dug up on the history of baozhong to read while you sample.

http://english.taipei.gov.tw/ct.asp?xIt ... &mp=100002

http://www.doed.taipei.gov.tw/ct.asp?xI ... &mp=10500J

[SilentChaos]

If I'm not mistaken, TW Baozhong started in Nangang then spread to Pinglin then to Wenshan. A genuine Nangang Baozhong from decades back has eluded me, and I suspect people drank the last of it a while back ...