Gaba Wenshan Baozhong Oolong- 30grams

Hand selected by our Taiwanese tea competition judge friend, who never disappoints when sharing some of his favorite teas and producers. This GABA Baozhong is a pretty unique find, as you don’t see a lot of GABA teas made in the Baozhong style.

It’s wonderfully smooth and nutty with that distinct character you find in a good GABA tea.

GABA tea was first developed in Japan in the 1980s using a special oxygen free processing method that increases the naturally occurring GABA, or gamma aminobutyric acid, in the tea leaves. The process eventually made its way to Taiwan, where some really interesting GABA teas are now being produced.

I find the brew stimulating yet super relaxing at the same time. It’s a good tea for later in the day or for those who find some traditional teas a little too stimulating. There is something special about GABA, that’s for sure. It might not be my everyday drinker, but I sure do love it when the time comes.

Brewing

I really like brewing this Baozhong in a gaiwan. The long, twisted leaves take up quite a bit of space, so I usually just fill the gaiwan by feel. Around 2 to 3 grams in a small to medium sized gaiwan is a good place to start.

Use water just off the boil, around 205°F, and steep the first infusion for about 45 seconds. Add another 20 to 30 seconds with each infusion. You should be able to get five or more good steeps out of the leaves.

If you prefer brewing in a mug, use about 2 grams in a strainer for an 8 ounce cup. Steep for about a minute, or a little longer if you like a stronger cup, and then keep resteeping the leaves several more times.

If you’re new to Gong Fu Cha, I put together a free guide that walks you through brewing tea in small pots over multiple infusions. You can download it here:

https://ojasnaturals.myshopify.com/products/gong-fu-tea-guide