2021 Gaba Jin Xuan Oolong Tea, Long Twisted

This Gaba will appeal to both black tea and oolong tea lovers. It warms up well. Suitable as either an aperitif or a digestif, it’s a good everyday tea, not without charm, subtle nuances, and delightful flavors. If the farmers had tried to give it a decent exterior, I am certain, it would’ve cost much more.

So, what we're presenting here is Gaba oolong that’s been processed without going beyond the medium oxidation level. This means it's neither a black Gaba tea nor a Hong Shui. The color of its infusion is amber and not a tone darker. I believe the moderate oxidation and gentle heating allowed to preserve the flavor diversity and charm of the Jin Xuan^* hybrid.

The aroma of rinsed tea is piquant and bright, with dominant notes of cherry, berry jam, baked apples, and spices.

The core taste evokes a dried fruit compote, but it's no ordinary one; it's accented with noble floral notes, cherries, and piquant pepperness. In the aftertaste, the cherry undertone stands out prominently.

This Gaba is smooth on the throat and easy to drink. It leaves you feeling light and weightless. However, there is caffeine in it and this will provide its invigorating effect.

I can't say that this Gaba holds an infinite number of infusions like our black teas from trees. But if you brew it in short steepings of 5-10 seconds, with a tea-to-water ratio of 1 to 15-20, you will get both a rich flavor and sufficient stamina.

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