The Spring Oolong Tea Zhang Ping Narcissus is the only oolong tea from pressed leaves. The quality of its leaves is rare and the flavor in the cup is truly unique, characterized by an intense floral bouquet and a creamy, milky body with sweet honey notes. The natural fragrances of orchid and narcissus will surprise your palate, leaving a long, fresh and fragrant persistence.
This tea comes from Zhang Ping, located in the famous Fujian oolong tea-producing region.
Location of origin
Zhang Ping, Fujian, China
Tasting - Sight and Smell
The Zhang Ping Narcissus oolong tea undergoes a special processing in the final stage that gives it an almost cubic shape: it is in fact made up of large fragrant leaves pressed in a not too compact manner, with the presence of long and strong stems. The leaves have various shades of green in the center and a rust-colored edge, due to the oxidative effect that the shaking phase causes on the sides of the leaves during processing. The floral scent is already clearly perceptible before infusion. Once in contact with water, the leaves release sweet aromas of milk and honey, floral notes of white flowers, orchid and patchouli, and some faint hints of tropical fruit. In the cup, the liquor is a soft golden hue, very bright and transparent.
Tasting Notes
GONG FU CHA
The first infusion of Zhang Ping Narcissus oolong tea is sweet and floral, vaguely milky with hints of white flowers and light body. The second infusion has a more intense character, with notes of white sugar and honey enveloping the tongue and a still very pronounced floral profile, with hints of wisteria, magnolia and orchid. The third infusion also brings out light notes of exotic fruits, such as banana and coconut. The sweetness remains notable and the body becomes a little more sustained here, never developing bitterness or astringency even when long infused.
TO THE WEST
The first sip of Zhang Ping Narcissus oolong tea opens with notes of white flowers, such as lily of the valley and magnolia, and water flowers. This is followed by an intense sweetness of sugar icing that is felt on the sides of the tongue and in the back of the throat. This sugary note then evolves into creamy hints of milk and honey, although the body remains rather light and silky on the palate. The finish proves floral and sweet, with a long lasting persistence. This is a fresh and spring-like tea but also an intense one, which can captivate with the elegance of its aromas.
Infusion Method
We strongly recommend infusing this tea in the traditional Chinese method (Gong Fu Cha) with a gaiwan with a capacity of about 150 ml. By following this preparation, multiple infusions can be made with a pressed square that are useful to best taste all the flavors of the tea.
After a quick rinse of the leaves with water at a temperature of 90°C, an initial infusion of 30 seconds can be made, and then, keeping the water at the same temperature, the product can be continued to be exploited by adding more to water and increasing the previous infusion time by about 10 seconds.
This tea allows about 5-6 infusions.
For a more classic preparation according to the Western style we recommend a small square of pressed leaves in a 200 ml cup with water at 90°C for an infusion time of 3 minutes.
For a better tasting experience we suggest that you strain the tea as soon as the infusion time is over. The infusion timings we suggest can be slightly modified to your liking to achieve a more or less intense taste.
We recommend storing in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Benefits of Oolong Tea
The main benefits that can be derived from oolong teas come from the significant content of minerals and antioxidant phenols in the leaves.
Some studies, in fact, report that daily intake of oolong tea can affect bone health by improving the concentration of minerals in this tissue and promote a decrease in blood sugar due to the stimulating effect of phenols on insulin.
Oolong teas also generally possess a low concentration of caffeine. This characteristic makes them suitable to be consumed at any time of the day, even by people who are more sensitive to this exciting substance.
