Oolong Tea - Dark vs. Light
When it comes to oolong tea, which is better, dark roasted or light roasted? Or is it a matter of preference?
Yep, what she said.
It's good to try one from each end of the spectrum and see which
you like the best, then you can fine tune from there.
It's good to try one from each end of the spectrum and see which
you like the best, then you can fine tune from there.
- Victoria -
http://victoriasown.blogspot.com/
http://victoriasown.blogspot.com/
I got a sample of ti kuan yin and I liked it. I am assuming that is what is considered to be lightly roasted.
I also recently purchased Big Red Robe * Wu Yi Rock Tea * Fujian Oolong . I am assuming that is considered to be a Dark roasted Oolong.
If my assumptions are correct, I would like to try another light roasted oolong to better understand what I like. What other lightly roasted Oolong would you recommend I try next?
I also recently purchased Big Red Robe * Wu Yi Rock Tea * Fujian Oolong . I am assuming that is considered to be a Dark roasted Oolong.
If my assumptions are correct, I would like to try another light roasted oolong to better understand what I like. What other lightly roasted Oolong would you recommend I try next?
"Being happy doesn't mean every thing's perfect. It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections."
"If you look at what you have in life, you'll always have more. If you look at what you don't have in life, you'll never have enough."
"If you look at what you have in life, you'll always have more. If you look at what you don't have in life, you'll never have enough."
Yes it seems your assumptions are correct. For even lighter and greener oolongs look for a Taiwan High Mountain oolong such as Ali Shan or try a pouchong.
- Victoria -
http://victoriasown.blogspot.com/
http://victoriasown.blogspot.com/
Mar 24th, '09, 12:43
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scruffmcgruff
It all depends on what the producer wants. If it was pretty green in color, then you're probably right, but there is also a lot of medium and heavy roast TGY out there.esabet wrote:I got a sample of ti kuan yin and I liked it. I am assuming that is what is considered to be lightly roasted.
Again, it depends. Usually Wuyi teas are between medium and heavy roast. The darkness of the leaf is not entirely dependent on roasting; the amount of oxidation also has an effect on color (for example, Oriental Beauty/ Bai Hao is dark brown because it is heavily oxidized).esabet wrote:I also recently purchased Big Red Robe * Wu Yi Rock Tea * Fujian Oolong . I am assuming that is considered to be a Dark roasted Oolong.
Like Victoria said, a pouchong (aka baozhong or bao chong, they're all the same thing) would probably be right up your alley.esabet wrote:If my assumptions are correct, I would like to try another light roasted oolong to better understand what I like. What other lightly roasted Oolong would you recommend I try next?
As to which is best, it is mostly a matter of personal preference. Dark roast is more traditional, but whether this is due to its flavor or its resistance to going stale is hard to say. Light/no roast is much more popular now, possibly because transportation and storage methods have improved, allowing non-locals to get fresh tea.
Personally, I tend to like a heavier roast, and as a nice side benefit I can keep them for longer.
Thank you very much.
What is a good source to buy quality Ali Shan or pouchong (without going bankrupt, of course)?
What is a good source to buy quality Ali Shan or pouchong (without going bankrupt, of course)?
"Being happy doesn't mean every thing's perfect. It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections."
"If you look at what you have in life, you'll always have more. If you look at what you don't have in life, you'll never have enough."
"If you look at what you have in life, you'll always have more. If you look at what you don't have in life, you'll never have enough."
when I was first getting into oolongs I took an afternoon and went through 5 oolongs starting with alishan and worked up to a very dark Wuyi. I made notes for each cup (each cup was around 3oz) so that I got a basic idea of the qualities going along the roasting scale.
If you have the time and inclination it is a pretty interesting excercise I would reccommend.
Cheers!
If you have the time and inclination it is a pretty interesting excercise I would reccommend.
Cheers!
I was doing some searching and I came across the following:
2008 A-Li-Shan "Winter Petals" Soft-stem Oolong, Hand-Harvested
from Hou De (http://www.houdeasianart.com/index.php? ... cts_id=877)
It is on special 22% off. Do you recommend this?
2008 A-Li-Shan "Winter Petals" Soft-stem Oolong, Hand-Harvested
from Hou De (http://www.houdeasianart.com/index.php? ... cts_id=877)
It is on special 22% off. Do you recommend this?
Mar 24th, '09, 15:38
Posts: 1598
Joined: Jan 11th, '07, 16:13
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Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Contact:
scruffmcgruff
I am not an expert on light roast oolongs, but AFAIK Hou De has a good reputation when it comes to Taiwanese teas. If it's not going to break the bank, I'd go for it, though you may want to wait for other opinions.
Tea Nerd - www.teanerd.com
I've never ordered from Hao De, but I've heard nothing but good things about them, although they are somewhat pricey (could be because of the quality?).
But I can recommend www.teafromtaiwan.com when you're looking for good Taiwanese high mountain oolongs. I've ordered from them a number of times and always been happy with the results. Also they offer two sets of sample packs witch I highly recommend if your trying to find your place in light oolongs.
But I can recommend www.teafromtaiwan.com when you're looking for good Taiwanese high mountain oolongs. I've ordered from them a number of times and always been happy with the results. Also they offer two sets of sample packs witch I highly recommend if your trying to find your place in light oolongs.
This is not Star Wars, there is no dark side and light side, this is a tea forum, the preferences widely differ based on one own experiences, and tastes he or she is acustomed too, some teas may bring up childhood memories, there are too many grades and aromas and tastes within these categories for one to tell which one is better than the other, you can have great teas from each and bad teas from each type.