MONKEY PICKED (MaLiu Mie)
A competition grade Tieguanyin Oolong from the An Xi Region of Fujian Province. Our supplier for this tea is well known for his craftsmanship. This tea is lightly oxidized; leaves show shades of green and hints of brown. As the leaves steep, they unfurl and show a serration on their edges as they release a honey-colored liquor with an orchid-like flavor that will linger. Briefly rinse the leaves to awaken them, and then steep in water at 185-200 degrees for one minute and taste. This Oolong is very rich and will steep multiple times as the leaves release their complex flavors. $5 per person / $10 per pot
HAIRY CRAB (Mao Xie)
Wonderful green Oolong named for the fine “hairs” on the backside of the leaves. This is an immeasurably aromatic and floral tea. Lightly oxidized leaves unfurl to offer a cup that is truly delicious, served hot or iced/chilled it is sure to please. A real varietal treat. Rinse briefly, then steep 1-2 minutes at 195-200 degrees. $4.50 per person / $9 per pot
ONE BUSH (Phoenix Bird Dan Cong Oolong)
Wood charcoal-fired; One Bush comes from the famous Feng Huang area in the Phoenix Mountains of Guangdong Province. Made of long, thin leaves crafted by artisans, then fired to a deep brown-red leaf color, the taste is toasty, full of aroma and fruity notes. Briefly rinse the leaves to awaken them and enjoy the aroma. Then brew it in water of 195-200 degrees, 2 minutes and unleash a wealth of tastes good for multiple steeps. $4.50 per person / $9 per pot
TIE KUAN YIN (The Iron Goddess of Mercy) ORGANIC
Chinese tightly rolled, very aromatic (sweet, floral aroma and an orchid-like, smooth delicate flavor) high mountain Oolong. This elegant tea comes from central Fujian province. Its legend tells how a tea grower in the area would walk past an iron statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, on his way to work each day. The statue stood in a small temple that was dilapidated and, although he could not afford to actually repair the building, the tea grower started to take care of it, cleaning it and lighting incense. Then one night, in a dream, the goddess told him to look in a cave behind the temple for a treasure that was hidden there. When he looked the next day he found a single tea shoot, which he nurtured and cultivated. He named the tea Ti Kuan Yin. (See Monkey Picked above for another varietal.) $4 per person / $8 per pot
DRUNKEN CONCUBINE
Each year, we choose a lot of Tie Kuan Yin from our source tea maker that we believe is the finest of that season’s selections. We hope it will intoxicate the drinker with its sublime aroma and nuanced floral taste. A rich tea, it caresses the tongue with nectar. Fully opened, the rolled leaves are broad and long with serrated edges. The first steep is about aroma. The next steeps, the leaves begin to give up their treasured tastes, which linger. We proud to offer you the year’s best. $6 per person / $12 per pot
