Taste profile Nose: Bouquety nose with high floral notes and hints of cream. Earthy undertones. Palate: Smooth, even body with that “Tieguanyin” overtone. Brisk sweetness. Persistent cooling sensation. Finish: Good “hui gan”**. Infusion tips To enjoy the essence of this luscious oolong, use a shorter time, higher tea to water ratio infusion approach. If you are unfamiliar with this style, begin with 5 g of tea to each 100 ml of water, using a smaller infusion vessel, such as a 150 ml gaiwan, and infuse for 30 sec in the first round. Use a near boiling water, slightly above 95°C. Adjusting the ratio is a little different from adjusting the time, as in any tea using this approach. Do experiment with it and find out your own best way to this special jewel. notes: * The Se Zhongs 色種 Huangjin Gui 黃金桂, together with Mao Xie 毛蟹, Ben Shan 本山 and Fo Shou 佛手 are other common cultivars in Anxi oolongs other than Tieguanyin. While the Iron Goddess has over two centuries of production history, the others had been developed for only a hundred years and less. They are traditionally categorised as Se Zhongs ( i.e. other varieties ), to differentiate them from the region’s most famous tea. Se Zhongs are popularly sold as Tieguanyin, one reason being the similar look of the finished product, the other being the lower production cost of these cultivars. In recent decades, however, newer cross bleeds have been developed and experimented in real production environment to the aim of improving taste diversity, productivity, and/or sustainability. Jin Guanyin 金觀音 is one such proud results that has made it to the attention of true connoisseurs. **Hui Gan 回甘 “Hui gan” or “wui gam” is a traditional Chinese term referring to the kind of aftertaste of sweet, cooling sensation with a slight tangy accent in tea enjoyment.
