Monday, June 23, 2008

White Tip Oolong


This tea from New Mexico Tea Co. was a gift. I am unfamiliar with the company, but this tea was good, and I totally want these cups.

It's a Formosan oolong from the Tung Ting province. The rinsed leaves smell like baked fruit, cherries or something.

The brew is malty, reminiscent of a dian hong, similar mouth feel as well. When gong fu-ed, there are sweeter notes of molasses. Delightfully smooth and moderately complex. Yields about five to six, maybe seven, infusions depending on taste. Well worth the price.

On a personal note...

Regular readers may have noticed that the blog is limping along. June is almost over and this only the third post this month, by far the slowest since the beginning. I assure you that the blog is not dying, or in (much) danger of an extended hiatus. We are merely experiencing a period of decreased activity.

The biggest reason for this is that I am getting divorced. And while I will say that it has been a remarkably amicable affair, it has left me often feeling distracted and unfocused. My tea consumption in general had decreased dramatically, probably only a cup or two every three days or so. In short, tea just hasn't been on my mind, so there hasn't been much to write about.

However, through this I have learned two things, that I will now share with you.

Tip #1 DO NOT leave spent sencha in a pot for more than a week. That is not an aroma you want lingering.

Tip #2 When rigorously cleaning said pot with boiling water that you then spill on you hand, gently set down the pot first, then feel pain.

Lastly, to my regular readers, thank you. If not for your continuous support and interest in this blog, I'd have given up a while ago.

7 comments:

Brent said...

Oh man, I've left sencha in a pot for just a couple days before and it smells awful; I can't even imagine how bad it would be after a week. o_O

Anyway, I hope things go (keep going?) smoothly. It's great to see you posting again, your blog is one of the best.

Brent

Anonymous said...

Great advice indeed! Sometimes its better to see the funny side of life and not take things too seriously. Look out girls ...

vp

Brandon said...

Stay strong, Alex, hope to chat soon.

I hope you didn't break anything in the spill there.

Summer said...

It gets better. Your taste for tea and life comes back. Don't feel any rush. Until then, share when you can.

*wrinkles nose* That sounds yucky indeed. I hope your hand and the pot are okay.

Space Samurai said...

Thanks guys, and no, I didn't break anything. Fortunately I remembered that my skin will heal faster than one of my Hokujo pots would put itself back together.

Unknown said...

Funny, I'm getting through a divorce and my tea consumption has dramatically increased. And so did my collection of Hagi-ware. ;-) Best of luck!

Anonymous said...

This is such a good tea. If you liked it try oriental beauty! Another great oolong with white tips!