2015 Lao Gui Fei Oolong Tea

Gui Fei Oolong also known as Oriental Beauty Oolong is produced exclusively from the leaves that have been bitten by green leafhoppers, usually in the period of May-June. In Thailand, farmers will consider it to be great luck if the insects come back to their gardens next year. They're trying to keep plantations as natural as it possible, don't spray pesticides on bushes and don't use chemical fertilizers trying not to frighten away the insects. So this variety is supposed to be organic by itself. That is why Gui Fei Oolong is quite expensive. Middle size plantation can provide farmers leaves for only 30-40 kilos of the tea.

Gui Fei oolong is a nearest relative of a famous Dongfang Meiren oolong. Both of them are made from bug-bitten leaves and called Oriental Beauty but Dongfang Meiren is not rolled into balls, it has long twisted shape and is more heavily oxidized. Anyway, white tips present in both kinds.

This tea is also interesting because, in addition to the honey notes of the bitten material, the profile of the old oolong began to appear in it.

How to brew Gui Fei oolong

Rinse a pot with boiling water,

Put 3-5 grams of Gui Fei into 200 ml gaiwan,

Cover up and steep for few minutes.

Then take a sniff. It's not brewed but it's sticky, thick and sweet fragrance is already gaining in strength. You'll be amazed by the potent aroma and a wide spectrum of tones. Honey, forest berries, flowers... you can find almost everything.

And now you can wash out the leaves and begin your tea ceremony. The taste is rich yet complex. Take delight in this unique unforgettable flavor of Oriental Beauty Oolong!