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Daylon R Thomas drank Taiwan 'Long Feng Xia' High Mountain Oolong Tea by What-Cha

1729 tasting notes

It took a while for me to add this, especially now I am half way through it. I like Long Fengs, but in small quantities because they are thickly green. These oolongs have the pineapple skin taste strong in every steep. That is the same for this tea, and I had a hard time not comparing it to the Shan Lin Xi. I preferred that one ever so slightly because it was a little more crisp, BUT this one is fairly creamy and can brew nice cups if treated delicately.

It was fairly consistent from brew to brew gong fu either beginning with a 15 sec rinse, 30 sec, then 20 sec or even beginning 47 seconds and then going 20, 35, 55, 75… There is a rise from a generally jasmine rice like beginning with a lemongrass background with the rising pineapple skin and tropical florals rising through the middle steeps like a bell curve, especially in steeps 3-5. Steeps 6-8 being 3 min, 5 min, 7 min, were just generally creamy floral, and slightly sweet. It’s creamiest when it’s hottest, and more floral and grassy when it cools off.

I’m having a hard time picking up the florals for this one other than the lemongrass. Maybe honeysuckle, but there was a slight spiciness that reminded me of ginger. Ginger lily? Don’t quote me on that. I’ll have to figure out what they are.

I would not recommend this tea to someone newly getting in to teas because it might just taste like slightly sour, mega creamy green tea to them. It’s more up oolong snob ally. In terms of quality this would at least be a 90, but I personally prefer the Li Shan just because of its more delicate character and I’m not sure how often I’d buy this. I’d rank it 86 based on what I like, but it deserves a higher rating on this website. This one is robustly green, but still excellent. I’m going to try it with less leaves western, but I’ve been happy Gong Fu with the slight nuances and watering mouthfeel it has…despite being a little bit like a semi sweet to dry white wine.

So yes, I recommend this tea, but I recommend it for experienced oolong snobs or for those looking to chart the elevations of Shan Ling Xi.

Flavors: Citrus, Creamy, Floral, Freshly Cut Grass, Green, Honey, Honeysuckle, Lemongrass, Pineapple, Rice, Spinach, Sweet, Thick

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First Off, Current Targets:

Whispering Pines Alice
Good Luxurious Work Teas
Wang Family’s Jasmine Shanlinxi
Spring, Winter Taiwan High Mountain Oolongs

Dislikes: Heavy Tannin, Astringency, Bitterness, or Fake Flavor, Overly herby herbal or aged teas

Picky with: Higher Oxidation Oolongs, Red Oolongs (Some I love, others give me headaches or are almost too sweet), Mint Teas

Currently, my stash is overflowing. Among my favorites are What-Cha’s Lishan Black, Amber Gaba Oolong, Lishan Oolong, Qilan Oolong, White Rhino, Kenya Silver Needle, Tong Mu Lapsang Black (Unsmoked); Whispering Pines Alice, Taiwanese Assam, Wang’s Shanlinxi, Cuifeng, Dayuling, Jasmine Shan Lin Xi; Beautiful Taiwan Tea Co.“Old Style” Dong Ding, Mandala Milk Oolong; Paru’s Milk Oolong

Me:

I am an MSU graduate, and current alternative ed. high school social studies and history teacher. I formerly minored in anthropology, and I love Egyptian and classical history. I love to read, write, draw, paint, sculpt, fence(with a sword), practice calisthenics on rings, lift weights, workout, relax, and drink a cuppa tea…or twenty.

I’ve been drinking green and black teas ever since I was little living in Hawaii. Eastern Asian influence was prominent with my friends and where I grew up, so I’ve been exposed to some tea culture at a young age. I’ve come a long way since I began on steepster and now drink most teas gong fu, especially oolong. Any tea that is naturally creamy, fruity, or sweet without a lot of added flavoring ranks as a must have for me. I also love black teas and dark oolongs with the elusive “cocoa” note. My favorites are lighter Earl Greys, some white teas like What-Cha’s Kenyan offerings, most Hong-Cha’s, darker Darjeelings, almost anything from Nepal, Green Shan Lin Xi’s, and Greener Dong Dings. I’m in the process of trying Alishan’s. I also tend to really enjoy Yunnan Black or Red teas and white teas. I’m pickier with other teas like chamomile, green teas, and Masalas among several.

I used to give ratings, but now I only rate teas that have a strong impression on me. If I really like it, I’ll write it down.

I’ll enjoy a tea almost no matter what, even if the purpose is more medicinal, for it is my truest vice and addiction.