Organic Wenshan Baozhong Oolong- 30 Grams

Wenshan Baozhong is a lightly oxidized oolong from the mountains of northern Taiwan. It has long, twisted leaves and is known for being bright, floral, and fresh. This lightly roasted version has a nice floral aroma with hints of orchid, fresh herbs, and a clean finish.

Baozhong is much closer to green tea than a lot of the other oolongs out there, which makes it a great tea for people who enjoy green tea but want to explore Taiwanese oolong. It also has a pretty strong chi, or tea energy, which is one of the things I really enjoy about a good Baozhong.

Baozhong was one of the earlier styles of oolong produced in Taiwan and continues to be an important part of Taiwan’s tea culture today.

Brewing

I really like brewing 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