I managed to acquire a small amount of a truly hard to find Aged Tie Guan Yin Oolong, and I am very pleased to be able to offer it on Norbutea.com. This special subcategory of Oolong teas that are set aside for aging are usually considered the 'private reserve' of the producers in mainland China and aren't regularly available to the public, so this is definitely a rare and special treat.
The process of aging oolong teas like this one is very different from the way that Pu-Erh teas are usually aged. When aging Pu-erh teas, collectors generally store the tea away in its paper and/or bamboo wrapping in an environment with fairly stable humidity and temperature, such as a storeroom, cellar, or in all too rare cases, caves. In the case of oolong teas which are intended for the aging process, the leaves are processed and roasted in the traditional manner, then they are sealed into unglazed clay jars and put aside. Each year, the tea master unseals the jars and re-roasts the tea to drive out any moisture that may have seeped through the pores in the clay and accumulated in the leaves.
This series of roastings that happens every year serves the practical purpose of drying the leaves to prevent fermentation and the formation of mold, but it also develops the taste profile of the tea into layer after layer of lovely toasted grain, dried fruit and subtle dried floral flavors. The finished product is definitely worth all the time and effort put into it by the producers! The mouthfeel is full but not too thick or heavy, and the toasty bittersweet aftertaste lingers beautifully. I really can't say enough how much I enjoy this tea on a personal level!
While steeping this tea "Western style" would probably be ok, it is my opinion that enjoying this tea Gong Fu style is the best way to experience its many layers of flavor. This tea has great brewing strength, and I have gotten an average of about 15 Gong Fu steepings out of this tea per session so far! See the Steeping Guide section for a general description of the Gong Fu (with skill) method of enjoying tea.
Automatic Discount for Volume Purchase: 10% off 100 g (3.53 oz), 15% off 250 g or more. Discount is reflected in displayed prices.
