Country of Origin: China
Region: Fujian Province
Shipping Port: Fuzhou
Grade: Se Chung Oolong
Altitude: 400 - 1200 feet above sea level
Manufacture Type: Oolong
Cup Characteristics: Smooth cup with exotic flavor notes. A book lover’s tea.
Infusion: Light, tending green. Leaves unfold beautifully
Ingredients: Luxury oolong tea
Information:
Oolong means semi fermented. They are manufactured very similar to black
teas, but are given a much shorter withering period, a light roll
(according to the type of oolong being made), and then allowed to
ferment only until the edges of the leafs start to turn brown. The tea
is then fired which arrests the fermenting process and captures the
interesting character associated with Oolong tea. Se Chung Oolong has a
shorter fermentation time than other Oolongs from Fujian province
resulting in more subtle Oolong character. There are delicate notes of
Ti Kuan Yin style flavor combined with a slight herbaceous green
character. This is why this particular tea is sought after - delicate
flavor notes of a top Oolong combined with green tea characters.
The best China oolongs come from Fujian Province - in the Wuyi Mountains
area since Fujian province is the historical ‘birthplace’ on China
oolongs. The method of production of Oolong teas is complicated. The tea
maker brings all his skills to the fore to define ‘his’ oolong. His
skills and abilities could create a commercial success or a total flop.
The defining moment for Se Chung Oolong is purported to have occurred in
Fujian Province during the Ching dynasty. An elderly monk who was
suffering from a ‘cold sickness’ was unable to be cured by the local
doctors. It was known there was a tea maker whose special tea made
people well again. The tea maker was summoned to bring his tea to the
sick monk. The legend does not tell what became of the monk, nor for
that matter what became of the tea maker, but the style of oolong has
persisted through the decades and has become on of the predominant
oolongs in China - noted for superb flavour and affordable price.
Hot tea brewing method: Oolongs teas are best enjoyed when the leaves
are briefly infused with hot water, which is then poured off. The tea is
then reinfused and tea is poured to the lucky guests after about 1
minute. The leaves may be reinfused several times, with each resulting
infusion yielding different liquor from the proceeding cup.