2013 Aged Qilan Rare Orchid Oolong by Tea and Whisk

Fulfilled by our friends at Tea and Whisk

It's not every day we get a good quality oolong that has been aged. If you have had aged oolong in the past, you know how special it can be. And wow, does this tea hit hard.

An aged oolong like this really makes a lot of people feel peculiarly relaxed. Not everyone will be so affected by the tea––but most people enjoy the dreamy sensation you get from it.

So who would enjoy this tea?

If you love a smooth, roasty oolong with a hint of spices like nutmeg and cloves, then this tea is for you. There is also a cinnamon-like sweetness from the aftertaste. As you sip, expect to find yourself entering a daydreamy state, almost like a very mildly drunken, buzzed feeling.

Try using boiling water to bring out the complexity of this tea. If you are doing gongfu-style brewing, use about 4 grams of tea and steep for around 15 to 20 seconds for the perfect balance between sweetness and roastiness.

You should expect a good 5–6 brews with the gongfu brewing method.

On the first steep, you can expect a smooth, creamy, and thick texture. A sweet cinnamon spice bread lingers, with hints of star anise.

This tea is best to have in the evening time. Even though there is a little bit of caffeine, this tea is also high in L-theanine which helps you relax and relieve stress.

Origin: Wuyi Mountain, Fujian, China

Notes: Sweet Cinnamon Bread, Cloves, Nutmeg, Anise