A Beautiful Bouquet: Black Jade Wulong from Volition Tea

A Beautiful Bouquet: Black Jade Wulong from Volition Tea

A bouquet of jasmine and gardenia flowers float from this lightly astringent wulong.

Preparation

Temperature
190 ℉

Tea to Water
4g to 12oz

Steep Time
1m then 1m30s

Number of Steeps
4

Flavors

Astringency
Dry

Body
Thin

Strength
Light

Rating
4 out of 5

Dry Leaves
Floral
Basil

Wet Leaves
Jasmine
Syrup

Tea Aroma
Jasmine
Spring water

Tea Flavor
Floral
Astringent

Attributes

Brand
Volition Tea

Season
Spring

Year
2022

Elevation
n/a

Family
Wulong

Country
China

Region
Phoenix Mountain, Guangdong, China

Mood
Levity

Black Jade from Volition Tea

When I read the tasting notes from Volition Tea for their Black Jade Wulong, I expected some floral notes to be masked by a roasted sweetness. But this tea was much more floral than I imagined it would be. In fact, it was more floral than I’ve ever tasted in a tea that wasn’t scented by or mixed with actual flowers. It was a beautiful bouquet of jasmine and gardenia flowers wrapped up in a balanced, slightly astringent brew that was pretty much spring in a cup.

What is a Wulong?

Wulong teas are partially oxidized teas, often roasted, and very complex. They are produced mostly in China and Taiwan. They can be dark and sweet, light and playful, and everything in between. This particular tea is very floral, and that can be thanks to many aspects of the tea’s life and production. For example, elevation and cultivar play a large role in the development of volatile oils in the leaves. When the tea is picked also impacts flavor. And, maybe most influential, is the way the tea is processed, steamed, dried, oxidized, roasted, and rolled. A tea farmer or producer will know exactly the steps needed to create the flavor profile they want to achieve.

What is Dan Cong Wulong?

Dan Cong wulong tea is a varietal grown in the Phoenix Mountain region of Guangdong Province, China. There are a few different understandings of what makes a dan cong. Some say all the leaves in a batch must come from one tree. Some say the leaves must come from a tree with only one trunk. And others say leaves can be mixed from the same garden as long this happens after processing. In any case, dan cong has a long history of flavorful tea coming from old-growth trees around the Phoenix Mountain.

2015 Green Mountain Blend from Tea Drunk

2015 Green Mountain Blend from Tea Drunk

The 2015 Green Mountain Blend from Tea Drunk might not be my cup of tea, but I absolutely appreciate it and respect it

Astringency
Very dry

Body
Medium

Strength
Strong

Rating
3 out of 5

Family
Pu Er

Country
China

Region
Yunnan

Mood
Aggressive

Brand
Tea Drunk

Season
Spring

Year
2015

Elevation
~1500 meters

Dry Leaves
Wood cabinet
Hay

Wet Leaves
Tobacco
Black coffee

Tea Aroma
Earth

Tea Flavor
Iron
Floral

2015 Green Mountain Blend

The Tea: Green Mountain Blend

I’ve never had a green tea quite like this. It is subtle, savory and floral at first, then it becomes strong and abrasive. The leaves of this blend come from old-growth trees with large leaves. This might be where the toughness of this brew is coming from. Compare a tender new bush to an old thicket; the branches are thicker and woodier, and the leaves are a deeper, richer green. Maybe that’s why this brew tastes dryer and darker than other green teas.

2015 Green Mountain Blend

A Green Tea Pu-Erh Crossover

Another reason for the strength and flavor is the processing of this tea. It is withered and wok-fried to halt the oxidization process like other green teas, and then it is aged like a sheng – or unripened – pu er. Teas can lose that young, fresh quality in exchange for a deep, earthy taste when aged.

Origin

This is a blended tea, so it features leaves from Wu Liang Shan, Meng Hai, and Yi Wu according to the Tea Drunk site. Blending teas can offer more flexibility and experimentation with teas. Each terroir – or region – imparts different qualities to its tea plants. Together, these teas create a cup that can withstand a bit of bitterness by blending with a lighter, sweeter tea.

2015 Green Mountain Blend

It might not be my cup of tea, but I absolutely appreciate it and respect it!