Clouds-o-Smoke № 21 (Oolong Tea)

Facts

This charcoal-roasted oolong tea is crafted from wild tea trees in Hsinchu, discovered after eight years of natural growth in an untamed forest. Made from the Qingxin Oolong cultivar, the leaves underwent medium fermentation followed by traditional longan wood charcoal roasting. The land was developed for housing a year after this first harvest, making this tea an extremely rare, one-time seasonal offering.

Source

This tea comes from a discreet tea collector who began crafting his own teas out of his love for the leaf and his inspiration from nature. He seeks out pristine forests and employs his self-studied six-category tea-making methods to develop a unique aesthetic and flavor profile. Each day, he harvests small quantities of leaves and processes them manually at home, capturing the genuine essence of the mountains and trees. His tea transcends conventional definitions, offering an artistic interpretation of tea.

Flavor Profile

This handcrafted charcoal-roasted oolong stands apart from typical roasted teas. The oolong’s ripe fruit and sweet aromas intertwine with the distinctive smokiness of charcoal roasting. As you brew, the initial balance of light sweetness and smoky depth evolves: the charcoal notes intensify, reminiscent of cocoa or coffee, before eventually giving way to a pronounced sweetness. It’s as if two extremes — the warmth of fire and the softness of sweetness — are dancing in harmony.

Drinking Suggestion

This tea’s special flavor make it a wonderful choice for sharing with friends, sparking different interpretations and conversations. It’s also ideal for special weather and scenes — misty rain, snowy landscapes, or even a hot afternoon — adding a touch of serenity to the moment.

Gongfu Style

Use 3 – 3.5 g of tea leaves with 100 ml of water at 100° C. Steep for 25 seconds initially, then increase steeping time by 5 – 10 seconds with each infusion.

Western Style

Use 3 g of tea leaves with 500 ml of water and steep for 3 – 5 minutes.

Why We Share This Tea

The work of this tea artisan is akin to creating art. It does not conform to mainstream production or aesthetic norms. Like art, some may find it fascinating, while others might not fully understand it. This tea embodies a bold experimental approach to charcoal roasting, returning to the raw simplicity of fire. Its flavor is unconventional and unfamiliar, challenging preconceived notions of roasted teas. Whether you end up liking it or not, it offers a glimpse into the vast possibilities of tea. Beyond market appeal, what matters most to us is presenting tea’s boundless potential for expression.

Key Information at a Glance

Cultivar • Qing Xin Oolong

Type • oolong tea

Origin • Hsinchu, Taiwan

Elevation • 350 m

Farming Method • wild-farmed

Harvest • spring 2023, hand-picked

Oxidation • medium

Roasting • medium charcoal-roasted