Introduction: Grown in the mountains of Anxi county, the home of oolong tea in China. There are several oolong tea plant varietals (at least 12) growing in Anxi, each with its own distinct flavor profile. The most famous of these varietals is Tieguanyin. Ben Shan Green Dragon is a young varietal (a clonal), grown primarily near Raoyang village in Anxi. The plant varietal has strong, heavy branches and brightly colored, distinct, elipse shaped leaves. It shares some similarities in fragrance with the Tieguanyin varietal.
Greener Oolong
Oolongs range in their flavor (mild and floral to strong and toasty) and color spectrum (from light green to dark) depending on the processing technique adopted. Ben Shan is a greener oolong with low oxidization.
Sun Withering
For Ben Shan, mature leaves are plucked and then ‘withered’ in the sun (weather permitting) for a few hours to reduce moisture.
Traditional Rolling
Once suitable suppleness is achieved in the leaves, traditional rolling techniques (which include wrapping the leaves in cloth and binding it tightly into ball shape) are applied in conjunction with light roasting. Successive re-rolling and re-roastings are done to achieve the optimum shape and flavor. A final roast is given to complete the processing.
Brewing Suggestions
Oolong teas can be brewed in a variety of styles. For daily drinking, a smaller amount of leaf with a longer steeping time gives a rewarding cup with little effort. This tea’s tightly rolled leaf requires fairly hot water despite its lower oxidation. We recommend a temperature of 180 to 200 F to bring out its full its full taste and unique aroma. Steeping 1 teaspoon of leaf per 8 ounces of water for 3 to 4 minutes will typically yield 2 to 3 satisfying infusions, although some oolongs will provide more. Another common method would be to enjoy the tea “Chinese style”. Merely place a few leaves at the bottom of a cup or glass, add hot water, and cover. After a couple minutes or so the leaf will unfurl and sink to the bottom of the vessel allowing you to drink from the top. When the water is down to just over the leaves, simply add more water. This style provides many infusions for a small amount of leaf. Of course, the most famous way to drink oolong tea is Gongfu style. (Gongfu is the Chinese term we derive “Kung Fu” from. It means to do something skillfully.) Though it takes many years to perfect the true Gongfu tea ceremony, a simplified version can be practiced at home.
