Oolong
Oolong (Wu-long) is a traditional Chinese tea somewhere between green and black in oxidation. It ranges from 10% to 70% oxidation. It is among the most popular types of teas served in typical Chinese restaurants.
In Chinese tea culture, semi-oxidized oolong teas are collectively grouped as qingchá (literally "clear tea") . In general Oolong has a taste more akin to green tea than to black tea: it lacks the rosy, sweet aroma of black tea but it likewise does not have the stridently grassy vegetal notes that typify green tea. It is commonly brewed to be strong, with the bitterness leaving a sweet aftertaste. Several sub-varieties of oolong, including those produced in the Wuyi Mountains of northern Fujian and in the central mountains of Taiwan, are among the most famous Chinese teas.
One cup of oolong contains approximately 30 milligrams of caffeine.
Ginseng Oolong
This delightful tea combines an oolong tea with a bit of ginseng powder and are packed into tiny little nuggets. With a slightly sweet aftertaste, the pieces eventually unravel to reveal leaves and a new flavor experience with each infusion. You can get at least 5 infusions out of each serving. The nuggets are densely packed yielding approximately 10 servings per ounce. Good for energy, concentration and hangovers, but yet very soothing. Highly recommended!!
This tea is very dense and heavy so a little goes a long way
Brew 1-2 tsp tea in 8 oz of water at 212° & steep for 3-4 minutes
1oz: $2.00
Se Chung Oolong
A lightly oxidized oolong tea from the Fujian province this tea has a shorter fermentation time and is therefore categorized
as a "green style" oolong tea. Se Chung contains slightly herbaceous notes. Retains flavor after several infusions.
Brew 2 tsp in 8 oz of water at 190º and steep for 3-4 minutes
1oz: $2.00
4oz: $7.50
Water Sprite Oolong
To boldly go where no man has gone before! This is a rich, intense and slightly roasted tasting oolong, especially the longer you let it steep. Water Sprite (Shui Xian, Shui Hsien), hailing from the famous WuYi cliffs of China is a 70% oxidized oolong tea and can be found in most Chinese restaurants. This oolong retains the properties of green tea while capturing the depth of black tea. With its clear, bright amber color and lingering fragrance, it has a smooth finish and releases an invigorating orchid flavor. Enjoy several infusions of this "darker" oolong!
Brew 2 tsp in 8 oz of water at 212º and steep for 3-4 minutes
1oz: $2.75
4oz: $11.00
Almond Blossom Oolong
This delicious oolong is naturally flavored with almond and has slivered almonds to make for a very unique tea. The oolong used in this blend is of the darker variety and is delightful either unsweetened or with a little sweetener and cream. Warm up on a cozy winter day with one of our favorite teas! It's also refreshing over ice on a hot day.
Brew 1 TBS in 8 oz of water at 212º and steep for 3-4 minutes
1oz: $2.00
4oz: $7.50
Osmanthus Oolong currently out of stock
Osmanthus Oolong Tea is produced by scenting a darker oolong tea with fresh Osmanthus flowers. It is refreshingly light and has a hint of peach. Also known as Orchid Oolong, this is enjoyed alone or with a touch of honey.
Brew 1 TBS in 8 oz of water at 212º and steep for 3-4 minutes
1oz: $2.25
4oz: $9.00
Ti Kuan Yin Oolong (Iron Goddess of Mercy)
Fujian Province's most famous oolong tea named for the Buddhist Goddess Kuan Yin (Guan Yin). Legend says that the iron goddess of mercy appeared to a farmer in a dream and told him to look in a cave behind the temple - there the farmer found a tea shoot which he cultivated. In Mandarin, Ti Kuan Yin means 'iron goddess of mercy'. Competition-grade varieties sell for thousands of dollars a pound. This is a 1st grade tea and has an earthy, bold flavor that lasts several infusions.
out of stock
Brew 2 tsp in 8 oz of water at 190º and steep for 3-4 minutes
Shui Jin Gui
This is one of the four famous Ooyee (Wuyi) teas and it is picked from a tea tree which has short and thick branches. It is a blue tea from the Ooyee (Wuyi) mountain and the reason it is called blue tea is because the mountain is made from blue-gray color rocks that consists of many minerals.
Brew 1 tsp at 190º and steep for 3-4 minutes
1oz: $3.75
Earth Dragon
Ginseng Oolong and White Ginseng pieces.
The best of both worlds, herbal and tea. If you want a bit more ginseng kick, get this tea.
Renewing, invigorating, rejuvenating.
Brew 2 tsp in 8 oz of water at 190º and steep for 3-4 minutes
1oz: $2.25
4oz: $9.00
What is Puerh?
Puerh (also spelled puer, pu-erh) tea is a fermented and aged tea, named after Pu'er county in Yunnan, China. It is an unusual tea, because unlike other teas which are consumed shortly after production, it can be over 50 years old and is usually aged at least 1-4 years. Over this time it acquires an earthy flavor due to fermentation (not the oxidation used for oolong or black teas). This leads to puerh having the unique trait among tea varieties of not losing its qualities after a year or two and of being classified by connoisseurs by year of production. Puer can be made from any of the variety of teas and range from a slightly green herbaceous taste to a darker earthy one and most are pressed into several sizes of bricks, cups and discs. Tea bricks once used as currency were typically made with Pu-erh tea.
Pu-erh tea can be purchased as either raw (sheng) or ripe (shu), depending on processing method or aging. Sheng pu-erh can be roughly classified on the tea oxidation scale as a green tea, the firing of the leaf is only partial thus allowing the leaf to continue to oxidize slowly over time. Cooked or ripe pu-erhs appear darker due to their initial oxidation before firing and is considered a post-fermented tea. These dark teas age well and their flavor improves with time but the degree of change is less than that of green Pu-erhs.The fact that pu-erh fits in more than one tea type poses some problems for classification. For this reason, the "green tea" aspect of pu-erh is sometimes ignored, and the tea is regarded solely as a post-fermented product. Pu-erh teas are often now classified by year and region of production much like wine vintages.
While there are many counterfeit aged pu-erhs on the market, authentic aged pu-erh can be found from trusted sources that is 10 to 50 years old, as well as a few from the late Qing dynasty. Indeed, tea connoisseurs and speculators are willing to pay high prices for older pu-erh, upwards of thousands of dollars per cake.
Pu-erh tea is available as loose leaf or as cakes of compacted tea.
In Cantonese culture, pu-erh is known as po-lay, bo-lay tea, or bo-nay tea and is often drunk during dim sum meals with family and friends, as it is believed to help with digestion. Puerh is considered a medicinal tea in China.
Puerh tea has been subject to a number of health studies. A number of medical studies have substantiated claims that the tea helps reduce cholesterol levels and saturated fats in humans, and that it might also assist in digestion and weight loss. By helping digestion (particularly of fatty foods), puerh is the perfect tea after a heavy meal.
For optimum brewing, use boiling water and don't throw the brewed leaves away, you can usually get at least 6 infusions out of a small chunk. You just shave or 'break' off some tea from the brick or disc into your teapot.
The flavor of Puerh is often under-appreciated, because it actually gets better with age. Letting it dry age in a cool dark place will improve your cup of tea when the leaves are finally brewed.
Aged Loose Leaf Pu-erh
Made from large-leaf, 4 to 5 year old Pu-Erh Tea in a remote village in the depths of Yunnan Province, China with all the hallmarks of a fine aged Puerh - except the high price. Even though this is an inexpensive Pu-er, aficionados will appreciate this rich, very earthy tea that gets its remarkable flavor from a unique aging process. You can get at least 6 infusions of this hearty tea. This is probably the best tea to drink after a heavy meal, especially with fatty foods. Something every serious tea enthusiast should try.
Use Boiling (212ºF.) water.
Steep for 5 to 10 minutes
1oz: $1.50
4oz: $5.00
Puerh Mini Tuo Cha
This 'cooked' puerh mini tuocha (pron. toe-cha) is one of the most unique tasting teas we offer and is definitely one of our favorites. These little birds nest cakes are approximately the size of a quarter in diameter and have an slight hazelnut aroma. It has a strong distinctive earthy, nutty flavor. Each tuocha weighs about 5 grams, and are individually wrapped. Each Tuocha makes one cup or pot (plus repeat infusions). The tea can be stored, and will mature over long periods of time. Great for gifts, traveling, commuting, or for any occasion. Highly recommended.
Brew 1 tuo in a cup or teapot at 212º and steep to desired strength
1oz (6 tuocha's): $2.00
4oz: $7.00
Puerh Jade Chips
These pu-erh jade chips are a type of high quality black tea compressed into chips similar to a piece of jade. Not as earthy as our other puerhs, but just as unique and fun. Great for camping, just throw one in your cup, add hot water and start the day right.
Brew 1 chip in 8 oz of water at 190º-212º and steep for 3-4 minutes
Brew less time for each additional infusion as this tea easily gets bitter once the chips are moistened and loosened
1oz: $2.50
