Ah Gong Assam - Taitung, Taiwan

Description

Big bodied with round caramel aromas, candied yam and winter melon.



Estate

Shin Fong

Region

Fulu Tea Region, Luye Township, Taitung, Taiwan

Cultivar

Assam

Process

semi- balled shape, fully oxidized

Harvest

Fall 2014

Relationship

Direct Trade

Origin notes

This fully oxidized black tea is produced from a traditional Assam cultivar. The trees themselves were planted in 1965, having been abandoned at one time, they were then reclaimed to be grown and cared for with organic practices. The level of care and meticulousness in their farming shows in the pristine look of the trees themselves. At some parts of the Assam grove, the trees have been left to continue growing freely to act as wind breaks. The Assam picks are rolled paochong style which is not normal for an Assam. This tea however is full oxidized as a black tea which matches well with it's Assam varietal. This combination of factors makes the tea distinct in how it is ideally brewed over multiple steeps, as the tea will need time to open and release it's flavors.

Cup character consists of round caramel aromas that lead into taste notes of candied yam with hints of spice and winter melon. This tea is big bodied with refined tannins but can easily be over extracted due to it's unique processing method. It opens easily in later steeps and is reminiscent of a traditional sweet after a meal drink in that area of Taiwan which consists of sugar and cooked down winter melon.

Preparation

Use 5g tea per 180ml water at 91°C. Mix 1st and 2nd steeps of 2:00 each. Add 1 minute of time for each additional steep, up to a total of 5.

Text from Barismo's listing.