Key Aspects: Smooth and Round

Very Friendly

Sweet

Creamy

Breakdown: Astringency: Medium

Sweetness: Medium+

Intensity: Medium

Body: Full

Finish: Medium+(Updated from M-)

Price: $27(sale $22) for 100g

Brew Methods:

Bowl brewed 3g:150ml, 190F, continuous steep.

Gongfu 6g:100ml, 190F, 10s +5s.

Flavors:

Sweet::Honey (4)

Sweet::Caramel(3)

Fruit::Tree Fruit::Muscatel/Grape(3)

Mineral::Metallic (1)

Vegetal::Herbal::Mint(1)

Tasting and Thoughts: Decided to go the bowl brew route for this one so I can taste as the tea develops. The initial impact is definitely sweet, mostly honey. As the time presses on, about the 4 minute mark there’s more of a caramel tinge to the honey, and a sweet grape note floats up on top of everything. By this point the body has developed considerably into a very creamy mouthfeel. Another few minutes in, and onto the second steep, the astringency picks up and the finish is colored by a minty, metallic tinge, interesting. The finish is not so long on this one when brewed bowl style but it comes through gongfu style. I could see this particular tea getting a bit boring if it’s all you drink for a week or two.

UPDATE: I gave this tea another go gongfu style and the finish really came through in a way it wasn’t before. Medium+ finish now with a lot of caramel and grape hanging on. Unfortunately this gongfu style brings out a solid womp of astringency so try out different methods.

Rating: Very Good, ★★★★☆ (updated from 3 stars)

Would I Buy Again: This would make a great, easygoing daily drinker were it just a touch cheaper. I got the cake on sale for $22(normally $27). I think if I could swing it for 18-19, I’d be inclined to get another cake. I personally do not think it’s worth its regular $27 price.

Purchase Link: http://www.mountaintea.com/collections/dark-oolong/products/oriental-beauty-cake