Emerald Leaf Organic Baozhong Oolong Tea Review

Emerald Leaf Organic Baozhong Oolong Tea Review

Rich grain and fruity notes hits my nose as I open the package of this Emerald Leaf Baozhong. As it brews, it reveals a more delicate side, with floral notes.

Preparation

Temperature
195℉

Tea
6g

Water
8oz

Brew Time
1 minute

Flavors

Astringency
Very juicy

Body
Thin

Strength
Medium

Number of Steeps
5

Dry Leaves
Fermented fruit

Wet Leaves
Honey
Orchid

Tea Aroma
Roasted Grain

Tea Flavor
Cereal
Jasmine

Attributes

Brand
Té Company

Season
n/a

Year
n/a

Elevation
450-700m

Family
Oolong

Country
Taiwan

Region
Pinglin

Mood
Delight

This Organic Baozhong Oolong

I first sampled this tea at the Té Company tearoom in Manhattan, and I just had to buy a package of it. Now, it was pretty pricey (around $40) but for a tea to drink on special occasions, this was well worth it. Notes of rich grain and fermented fruit hit my nose as I open the package. Then, as it brews, it reveals a more delicate side, with notes of orchid and jasmine. It’s a delightful journey!

The dry leaves of Emerald Leaf Organic Baozhong waiting to be brewed at the bottom of a ceramic pitcher
The dry leaves of Emerald Leaf Organic Baozhong waiting to be brewed at the bottom of a ceramic pitcher

What is Baozhong Oolong?

Baozhong oolong is a tea originating from Taiwan. Oolong teas are partially oxidized, ranging from lightly oxidized to heavily oxidized. In the case of boazhong oolong, the oxidization is light. As a result, it has similarities to green tea in body and flavor. However, the Emerald Leaf Organic Baozhong from Té Company is blended with the cultivar used to make milk oolong. This gives it an extra buttery richness. Delicious!

A ceramic cup sits in the grass, while Emerald Leaf Organic Baozhong is poured into it
A ceramic cup sits in the grass, while Emerald Leaf Organic Baozhong is poured into it

More about Té Company

Té Company has consistently been one of my favorite tea shops. Not only is their tea delicious, their tearoom is cozy and charming. They don’t take reservations, and seating is limited, but it’s worth the wait. Besides their tea, they are well-known for their pastries. My favorite is the pineapple linzer cookie. They sell everything online, too!

The brewed leaves of Emerald Leaf Organic Baozhong at the bottom of a ceramic pitcher
The brewed leaves of Emerald Leaf Organic Baozhong at the bottom of a ceramic pitcher
Semi-Handmade Huang Ya from Tea Drunk

Semi-Handmade Huang Ya from Tea Drunk

This Semi-Handmade Huang Ya tea from Tea Drunk is surprisingly astringent with lovely notes of roasted nuts and fresh spinach.

Astringency
Very dry

Body
Thin

Strength
Light

Rating
4 out of 5

Family
Pu Er

Country
China

Region
Anhui

Mood
n/a

Brand
Tea Drunk

Season
Early Spring

Year
2021

Elevation
700 to 800 meter

Dry Leaves
Fall leaves
Dried fruit

Wet Leaves
Roasted grains
Toasted nuts

Tea Aroma
Roasted rice

Tea Flavor
Spinach
Bitter lettuce
Umami

The Tea: Semi-Handmade Huang Ya

This Semi-Handmade Huang Ya tea from Tea Drunk is surprisingly astringent, with lovely notes of roasted nuts and fresh spinach. Have you ever eaten a spinach leaf by itself; no dressing, no seasoning? It has a way of drying out your mouth, making your tongue feel tight and almost sandy. This tea does something very similar.

The Family: Yellow Tea

Yellow tea is similar to a green tea with a few extra steps. These extra steps include an aging, or micro-fermenting, process that brings out the unique flavors and textures of yellow teas. It is said that this process mellows out the flavor of the tea. The flavors were more mellow than many green teas I’ve tasted, but I was surprised by the dryness of this particular tea. Yellow teas are also quite rare. Tea Drunk says, “yellow tea is the rarest category of tea in the world.”

The Brand: Tea Drunk

Tea Drunk is one of my top-favorite tea brands. They tend to pick teas that are just exquisite and interesting to drink. When I get a tea that challenges my taste buds and fills all of my senses, that’s a treat. Tea Drunk has done that consistently for me. This particular tea comes from a female tea farmer, Xu A-yi, who is the matriarch of the family that makes some of this tea for Tea Drunk. They’re also incredibly expensive, but I believe you get your money’s worth in terms of quality.