Between un-oxidized green teas and fully oxidized black teas there is a spectrum. This oxidation spectrum represents oolong teas. At one end of the spectrum, you will find oolongs that are more similar to green teas, whereas at the other end, there are oolongs that resemble black teas. Their beauty lies in their differences along this spectrum. Nantou Dark is a lightly oxidized oolong that is roasted (high fired). You can compare it to this other oolong I tasted here on the blog; they’re both oolongs but couldn’t be more different.

Nantou Dark, Song Tea and Ceramics, San Francisco

Tea Name: Nantou Dark
Origin: Nantou County, Taiwan
Ingredients: oolong tea
Harvest: 2014Preparation Method: porcelain gaiwan
Leaves/Water Ratio: 6 grams, 5 oz / 150 ml filtered water (Brita)
Water Temperature: 205 F / 96 C
Steep Time: 2 minutes
 

EYE

dry leaves: tightly rolled oblong pellets with a short piece of the stem sticking out, dark green/grey with yellow and brown hues
wet leaves: the stem is dark grey with lighter hues, the leaves are dark moss green/grey with brownish hues. On each stem there are multiple leaves (4-5). They unfurl completely after the second steep
liquor: golden, amber with orange and peachy hues

NOSE

dry leaves: aromatic, roasted pecans, brown sugar, fresh hay
wet leaves: sweet, roasted chestnuts
liquor: sweet, aromatic, homemade rhubarb preserve

PALATE

liquor: sweet, toasty, sweet licorice, slightly astringent especially from the second steep on

MOUTHFEEL: medium bodied, smooth, very long toasty sweet finish lingers in your mouth

FOOD PAIRING: nut-based desserts like pecan tart or a fudge-y and nutty brownie 

OVERALL IMPRESSION: great complexity of aromas, very pleasant to drink. Beautiful toasty finish lingers.

Disclaimer: I purchased this product with my own money and I was not asked to review it. This is my honest opinion. I am not affiliated with Song Tea and Ceramics nor with the manufacturer of this product.