The Tao of Tea Oolong Tea, Green Dragon, 3.5 oz (100 g)

Smooth, full-bodied golden infusion with a toasty, grassy-sweet flavor and light floral notes. Green Dragon tea is grown in the mountains of Anxi county, Fujian, the most famous oolong growing region in China. There are several oolong tea plant varietals (at least 12) growing in Anxi, each with its own distinct flavor profile, the most famous being Tieguanyin. Green Dragon, or Ben Shan, is a young varietal (a clonal), grown primarily near Raoyang village in Anxi. The plant has strong, heavy branches and brightly colored, distinct, ellipse-shaped leaves. It shares some similarities in fragrance with the Tieguanyin varietal. Oolongs range in their flavor (mild and floral to strong and toasty) and color spectrum (from light green to dark) depending on the processing technique adopted. Ben Shan is a greener oolong with low oxidization. For Ben Shan, mature leaves are plucked and then withered in the sun (weather permitting) for a few hours to reduce moisture. Once suitable suppleness is achieved in the leaves, traditional rolling techniques (which include wrapping the leaves in cloth and binding it tightly into ball shape) are applied in conjunction with light roasting. Successive re-rollings and re-roastings are done to achieve the optimum shape and flavor. A final roast is given to complete the processing.