Wood Dragon Oolong

For the price, I’m not sure that this oolong is really worth it. Most oolong smooth out over time, and this one got bitter when I let it steep a bit longer than usual. Tasted a bit like Darjeeling with a touch of spices.

I was pleasantly surprised by this tea. I bought it on sale on a lark and I really enjoy it. It’s very nutty and woody.

I got this in a Steepster Select box sometime last year. Well, it delivers in it’s promise of roasty, woodiness. On the other hand it looks like a bunch of sticks. I thought it was just rolled to be in that shape, but even when I steeped it for a long while, it was still just stems. I don’t know how I feel about that! The sample was 8g, and it says 4g per cup. So two servings.

I do like it, it has a mellow nuttiness to it that I don’t usually reach for much, but is pretty satisfying. I just can’t get over the fact that it’s a bunch of twigs. I wonder what the leaf would taste like?

This does taste a lot like kukicha. I haven’t had many versions of the latter, but this really has that same flavor after the first steep. I don’t really get any of the spice flavor in the two steeps, and right now I don’t know why I would buy this over a kukicha or even a hojicha. It is interesting to see how oolong teas can vary so much in flavor, but I don’t think I would buy it.

From my December 2014 Steepster Select Box!

I didn’t think I was going to like this tea. But I was surprised! The first two brews were a miss, but once I got past those two, I got a sort of cinnamon-y pepperiness that was very reminiscent of an Asian Beauty. The little stick tea was actually interesting to see come alive in my cup. The little twisty sticks grew and straightened out, not unlike some sort of phallic appendage I can’t mention on the internet. It was like sipping on a beachside bonfire, minus the sand in my swimsuit and the fire. I also got a nutty, toasted rice quality to it, at the beginning and the very end.
What an interesting tea!

I quite like this tea. I prefer a weaker steep on most teas as I find it brings out the brighter notes while really allowing me to enjoy the deeper richness of the brew on the back end. This is indeed, as described, toasty and woody; I would add the floral notes on top reminiscent of traditional oolongs. Also, the shape is fantastic! Really interesting to watch steep. The journey of the brew is surprising. Peppery finish on the third steep. (second steep 4 min, third steep 10 min)