Sunday, December 15, 2013

Tea Review: Iron Buddha Aged Traditional (The Chinese Tea Shop)

Advent Tea Calendar Day 15

Iron Buddha Aged Traditional, 20 Years Old, Charcoal Roasted
The Chinese Tea Shop
Type: Oolong
Origin: China, Fujian Province, Anxi
Product Description:  This rare and traditional Aged Oolong tea comes from a farmer’s private stock. As is common in the tea business in China, it took me many years of buying teas from him and many visits to his farm to convince him I was an earnest and worthy buyer. This tea has been stored since the early 1990’s and unlike inferior varieties roasted by machine, this tea has been carefully re-roasted by hand over charcoal every 3 years to enhance the aged flavour. The tea leaves are a semi-ball shape and are a dark brown colour.

The rinse has a bright pink/reddish colour. The first infusion has a light smoky flavour with an incredible chocolate taste that just has to be experienced! The aroma is rich and complex with deep fruity tones. Then an amazing, mouth tingling sensation bursts out from both sides of the tongue and also from the back of throat. Immediately afterwards, a strong sweet after-taste develops which moistens the palette.


Temperature: 195° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 3 minutes

The dry leaves have an aroma of smoked wood, warm hay, and molasses.

The infusion is golden and pink with an aroma of smoky wood and a sweet hint of cocoa.  The flavor is smoky with notes of caramelized sugar and a broth-like quality.  The finish is long, a little sweet, and mouth-watering.

I got three very good infusions from this tea and could expect at least a couple more that would continue to produce a light and pleasant taste and aroma.  It does make the mouth water a bit at the end with a hint of sweetness.




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