Dong Ding Traditional A
A traditional style of Dong Ding Oolong grown on Dong Ding mountain by our friends the Su family. They have been making this rich, hearty oolong with a dedication and adherence to traditional standards for generations. We are grateful for the tea and the wisdom of Mr. and Mrs. Su, as they have been a guiding presence in our life as well as our tea practice since 2008.
Traditional Dong Ding is withered in the sun, oxidized about 30% and given a medium roast to bring out its full aroma, grippy mouthfeel and throat warming aftertaste. We like this tea, not because it is bodacious like High Mountain Oolong or elegant like Oriental Beauty, but because it is solid, grounded and powerful. We call this the 'hero' tea of Taiwan.
New batch roasted on July 18th right here in Seattle!
We taste this tea daily after roasting and release at the moment we think it is ready to drink, although it will continue to open up over the next few months. This batch was harvested from an extremely high point in the Dong Ding tri-peak area, on Feng Huang mountain, and technically is considered high mountain oolong because the garden is over 1000 meters above sea level.
Dry leaves reveal a rich toasty, fruity scent. Brewed there is a nearly molasses-like dark sweetness that surrounds the more high pitched fruit tones like peach. Mouthfeel is meaty and rich. In the finish we notice a soft throatiness or Hou Yun that is a hallmark of Dong Ding tea. And a solid initial bitter taste resolves very nicely into a sweet aftertaste, i.e. returning sweetness.
We always strive to improve with every roast we finish. Hence why we say this version is our best yet!
Facts
- Harvest Location : Dong Ding, Nantou, Taiwan
- Roast Date : 2024 July
- Cultivar : Soft Stem [Ruan Zhi Zhong]
- Farming : From a garden regularly tested by SGS as having 0% pesticide residues
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