Imperial velvet oolong

[beecrofter]

Today I was able to try an oolong with a buttery flavor. A tea that expanded so that covering the bottom oh a shui ping yixing completely filled the pot when the leaves expanded. It easily produced 15 infusions.

My usual tea choices are mostly puerh but this one blew my socks off.
Buttery, apricot, popcorn, butterscotch, were the impressions

This was the vendors description-
IMPERIAL VELVET OOLONG
A very special oolong from China's Wuji Shan region of Fujian Province
on this website
http://www.sundialgardens.com/

If you know anything about this oolong and can suggest another one that is similar I would be elated.

[gingkoseto]

Today I was able to try an oolong with a buttery flavor. A tea that expanded so that covering the bottom oh a shui ping yixing completely filled the pot when the leaves expanded. It easily produced 15 infusions.

My usual tea choices are mostly puerh but this one blew my socks off.
Buttery, apricot, popcorn, butterscotch, were the impressions

This was the vendors description-
IMPERIAL VELVET OOLONG
A very special oolong from China's Wuji Shan region of Fujian Province
on this website
http://www.sundialgardens.com/

If you know anything about this oolong and can suggest another one that is similar I would be elated.

Wow! This is so tempting! I googled but didn't find another vendor carrying "imperial velvet oolong". Maybe this is the *real* big red robe - I heard most big red robe in market are mixtures of different teas and there are only several trees that are the source of the real thing.

[ABx]

Wow! This is so tempting! I googled but didn't find another vendor carrying "imperial velvet oolong". Maybe this is the *real* big red robe - I heard most big red robe in market are mixtures of different teas and there are only several trees that are the source of the real thing.

Not a chance, it doesn't even fit the flavor profile.

This sounds a bit like something that I got locally - a high mountain oolong from Fujian. Unfortunately I haven't seen anything like it online, however most of the Taiwanese high mountain oolongs have this characteristic, but with a very nice orchid aroma to go with. You can look through Hou De's selection and note the ones that he mentions as having the "veggie protein" aroma. Tea Cuppa's "Milk Oolong" would also likely suit you, as well as the Taiwanese teas from Floating Leaves and TeaHome.

[gingkoseto]

Wow! This is so tempting! I googled but didn't find another vendor carrying "imperial velvet oolong". Maybe this is the *real* big red robe - I heard most big red robe in market are mixtures of different teas and there are only several trees that are the source of the real thing.

Not a chance, it doesn't even fit the flavor profile.

This sounds a bit like something that I got locally - a high mountain oolong from Fujian. Unfortunately I haven't seen anything like it online, however most of the Taiwanese high mountain oolongs have this characteristic, but with a very nice orchid aroma to go with. You can look through Hou De's selection and note the ones that he mentions as having the "veggie protein" aroma. Tea Cuppa's "Milk Oolong" would also likely suit you, as well as the Taiwanese teas from Floating Leaves and TeaHome.

Yeah, I am not sure at all, just using my imagination This 15 infusions sound almost legendary! Since the name has "velvet", I related it to "robe". And since the name has "imperial" - I heard the few real big red robe tea trees were given "red robes" by the emperor. So not much clue other than the name. Besides, Fujian high mountain oolong is largely from Wuyi Shan region, same as this "imperial velvet" and big red robe.

[chrl42]

The seller is hella funny and as poetic

SHEN CHA
From Jianxi Province, China. A traditional Japanese-style steamed green tea with needle-shaped leaves; produces a sweet, soothing taste

A Chinese imitation of Sen Cha?

BUDDHA'S AURA Green Tea
From Yunnan Province, China. A rare, new tea which combines the attributes of broad-leaf tea plants with the small leaf varieties for a richer flavor and a softer, mellow note respectively

I haven't witnessed such ongoing aura from a mere tea name

LU SHAN MOUNTAIN MIST. An extremely rare and delicate fine green tea
(detailed description to follow shortly)

When?

on puerh,

All organic, pressed into 5 inch round disks.
From ancient tea trees. Very Special and in very limited supply

5 inch round disk - fresh calling name really

hehe

[gingkoseto]

Ever since reading this post, I couldn't get this imperial velvet out of my mind Has beecrofter got any photos of this tea?

I saw Jiu Long Pao (nine dragon robe) sold in teaspring the other day. Could that dragon robe be this imperial velvet? Just some random guessing based on vague names

Anybody tried Jiu Long Pao from teaspring? How is it?

[ABx]

What beecrofter describes sounds like a fisted wulong, and probably very lightly roasted (lightly enough that it's probably not obvious from looking at the leaves). It doesn't sound like yancha.

I have some of TeaSpring's Jiu Long Pao, and what struck me is that it is nothing but roast right now. I am letting it age a bit right now, I might give it a try sometime this year, but it definitely needs to rest for a while. If I get impatient I might try it in a thin gaiwan, but last time I tried it in my yixing gaiwan and it was still nothing but roast, so I don't know.

[gingkoseto]

What beecrofter describes sounds like a fisted wulong, and probably very lightly roasted (lightly enough that it's probably not obvious from looking at the leaves). It doesn't sound like yancha.

I have some of TeaSpring's Jiu Long Pao, and what struck me is that it is nothing but roast right now. I am letting it age a bit right now, I might give it a try sometime this year, but it definitely needs to rest for a while. If I get impatient I might try it in a thin gaiwan, but last time I tried it in my yixing gaiwan and it was still nothing but roast, so I don't know.

The buttery flavor does sound like light oolong. But it's the seller's info. that led me to think it may be a yan cha. The seller's website says it's from "Wuji Shan" region (assuming Wuji=Wuyi).

Oh, but I just realize beecrofter did mention that he cover the bottom of the pot with dry leaves and they expand to fill the pot - that does sound like a fisted oolong

Just couldn't get it off my mind

The Jiu Long Pao sounds a little disappointing though. At its price I thought it would give more, immediately, not after some waiting

[comeshareacupoftea]

We have purchased the Imperial Velvet Oolong from Sundial Gardens, it was my husband's first foray into fine teas and he nearly refuses to try anything else. It has a most amazing flavor. Our daughter describes it as popcorn! it is buttery and smooth and so delicious. The leaves are tightly rolled and expand to reveal a large leaf. With one teaspoon we can easily get 4 or 5 flavorful infusions. It is delectable!

And Ragna, the shop owner is full of character and information. She's a wonderful German woman with a breadth of knowledge about fine teas. if you are local, it's worth the visit!

[Tead Off]

This sounds suspiciously like a tea I had from Thailand that is flavored with sticky rice. It gives a buttery popcorn flavor that is not bad.

[comeshareacupoftea]

Nope, no rice here...and no added flavor. Just tightly rolled leaves that open and create a beautiful flavor.

[beecrofter]

I will probably head over to Sundial this Sunday, it's less than an hour's drive and I should probably pick up another tin before it's all gone.

Tom

[Victoria]

The very first thing that came to mind when you said buttery was milk oolong. As ABx previously noted. There has been so much controversy on milk oolong I almost hate to mention it. If you love this one, stock up is the best advice.

[gingkoseto]

I will probably head over to Sundial this Sunday, it's less than an hour's drive and I should probably pick up another tin before it's all gone.

Tom

Please please ask the seller what the tea is, I mean, where it is produced and the tea varietal. This has made me so curious!

And is the leaf a curled ball shape or the common wuyi shape? I have been guessing around but those who had it please let us know!

[beecrofter]

I visited Sundial yesterday and they were temporarily out of the "Imperial Velvet Oolon" but expecing it soon.

I think I have determined just which variety it is, "Golden Lily" or Jin Xuan