Baozhong Sampler
Do, Re & Mi
2011 Early Spring

• Pinglin town, Wenshan District

• Taipei County, Taiwan

• 12 – 18% oxidation

• Unroasted

• Long, open-twist leaf with few stem

• Buttery, creamy and rich exotic floral flavor

• Fresh, luscious, sweet, orchid-like floral aroma

• Delicate, pale green-gold liquor

• Baozhong Sampler includes 1/2 oz each of 3 Baozhong teas: Do, Re & Me (Tray and Celadon Oolong Tea Tasting Set not included)

Baozhong is one of Taiwans most delicious and refreshing teas. It is unique among Taiwan oolongs for its appearance as well as in its distinctive, seductive aroma and flavor. Baozhong can easily be mistaken for a leafy and luxurious-tasting green tea, but they have more body and ‘umph’ than most greens, and they unquestionably fit the definition of an oolong by the nature of their manufacture.

During the manufacture of Baozhong the fresh leaf is withered first outdoors, then indoors (green tea is not withered) and minimally oxidized 12 -18% (green teas are not oxidized ), placing it in the lightly-oxidized end of the oolong oxidation spectrum (which ranges from 12% to 80%).

Large-leaf, sweet, juicy Baozhongs are one of our favorite teas, so we are thrilled to have found these delicious selections for our customers. We first tasted a truly impressive Baozhong when we visited its place of origin ( Wenshan District, Taipei County,Taiwan ) and were immediately smitten by its charms. Baozhong is not easily found in the US, so if this is your first time tasting it you are in for a treat. If you are familiar with Baozhong we know that you will be pleased with our choices.

Each Baozhong in our sampler each delivers excellent flavor and aroma. These teas are from tea gardens that lie on the hill overlooking the Fei-Tsei Dam, which supplies drinking water to Taipei City. This is a protected watershed for the dam, so the area is clean and un-spoiled.

The three teas are made from fresh leaf that is plucked from the same tea bushes and represent the flavor and aroma differences found in teas manufactured just a few days apart from one another at the end of April, 2011. No single tea here is better than the others. This sampler is designed to show ‘what a difference a day makes.’ The fresh leaf for these teas is plucked by hand in this tea garden, and the pluck is a one-bud, two leaves configuration. Our Do, Re & Mi selections illustrate the symphony of flavors found in premium grades of Baozhong within the short time of the spring pluck.

While some Baozhongs are lightly roasted, our Do, Re & Mi selections are not roasted – this allows the intoxicating flavor and aroma to be fully appreciated.

Western-style steeping: (Medium to large sized teapot: 20-32 oz)
Use 2-3 heaping teaspoons (2-3 grams) of tea per each 6oz water
Steep 1-3 infusions at 2-3 minutes each.
Water temperature should be 175˚ - 185˚ F

Asian-style steeping: (small teapots under 10 oz or a gaiwan)
Use 2-3 Tablespoons (5-6 grams) of tea per each 6oz water
Steep upwards of 6-8 infusions (or more!) at 10 seconds to 1 minute each
Water temperature should be 175˚ - 185˚ F