How would you like to enjoy two distinctive Wulong (Oolong) teas, ‘plus’ your choice of a third tea from a green, white or Pu Er category? This three-tea sampler of the world’s most prized loose-leaf teas will deliver an array of taste and aroma for you to savor.

Wulong Teas are a diverse group and primarily characterized as semi-fermented. The renowned fragranced aroma is developed from tea leaves only and through the prolonged process of resting and shaking the leaves. Wulong tea can be quite light in taste when slightly roasted and take on a different flavor when roasted at least twice as in the traditional processing method. Wulongs are typically made with single cultivar and are grown in China’s various Wulong Tea growing regions.

The following will provide you with information on the two distinctive Wulong teas in this sampler:

Da Hong Pao (Great Red Robe) 大紅袍 is one of the famous Wulong teas coming from the Wu Yi Shan, Fujian, China tea region. Wu Yi Shan (mountains) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the scenery will take your breath away. Da Hong Pao is a Yan Cha or cliff tea where many of the tea bushes literally grow out of the rocks. Da Hong Pao is a blend of multiple varietals balancing texture and aroma. The leaves are heavily roasted which gives the tea that signature dark coloring and bold taste. You will enjoy the layers of lavish spices and flowers with that sweet gradual mineral finish.

Bai Ye (White Leaf) 白葉 is a Feng Huang Dan Cong (also known as Phoenix Wulong Tea) and its origin is Zhong Xin Yan, Wu Dong, Feng Huang Shan (Phoenix Mountains), Guangdong Province, China. Wu Dong is recognized by tea connoisseurs as the top location for growing and producing Dan Cong. This Wulong Tea is known for its very forward fruity peach note. This batch is harvested from over 60 year old tea trees which are covered in moss due to the foggy moist air and cold climate in these mountains. Bai Ye is refreshing, tannic with prominent peachy note and a slight sweet aftertaste.

To complement the Distinctive Wulong ‘Plus’ Sampler is your choice of a green, white or Pu Er tea. The following will provide you with information on these teas.

Gua Pian (Sunflower Seed) 六安瓜片 is a green tea which originates from Qi Shan, Lu An, An Hui Province, China. This is the only green tea in China where only the leaves are picked and used in the processing. The unique flash roasting step, referred to as La Da Huo, solidifies all the notes and gives the tea a nice layer of toastiness. When sipping this fine tea, the grassy and lightly toasted taste with the buttery texture confirms why Gua Pian has the official status of one of China’s Ten Famous Teas.

Bai Hao Yin Zhen (White Hair Silver Needle) 白毫銀針 is a white tea which originates from Dian Tou, Fuding, Fujian Province, China. This famous tea includes the finest picking grade of white tea consisting of buds only and are needle-shaped and covered with fine white hairs. The freshly picked tea buds are sun dried following traditional methods which require careful observation of the sun and the wind for 72 hours. The taste is light, however exuberant with notes of floral sweetness. After steeping the tea leaves and sipping the liquor, one will sense how special this tea is.

Ban Po Lao Zhai (Old Village of Ban Po) 南糯山半坡老寨 is a Pu Er tea and Ban Po is the most sought after village for Sheng Pu in the Nan Nuo Shan Mountain area, Yunnan Province, China. Sheng Pu, also known as raw Pu Er, is officially a green tea which is made in a classic green tea method known as Shai Qing or sun dried. The tea leaves are pan-fried at a low temperature to allow some enzymes to continue to ‘live’ in the loose teas leaves and continue the fermentation process at a later time. This selection is harvested from tea trees 200-600 years old! Ban Po Lai Zhai is full-bodied with bold tannins and a light bitter end note. It is also important to mention the aging potential of Pu Er and especially Ban Po Lao Zhai. With proper aging, the flavor transforms from nutty and unami to a more flowery taste. In time the taste will further develop onto dry fruits and the tannins will go from crisp to a more rounder flavor.

‘Morning Brew Live’ is available with the purchase of Distinctive Wulong ‘Plus’ Sampler. Visit ‘Tea Presentations’ for more information.