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We are so pleased to add the Hidden Essence oolong to our existing oolongs range. The Hidden essence is one of the most outstanding oolongs and was harvested in spring 2025. This tea is from old-growth trees ranging from 50 - 60 years old in an ecological tea garden in Anxi, south-Fujian Province. This tea garden has been deserted for many years and surrounded by other trees and shrubs providing natural forest ecosystem allow the tea bushes very slow and develop deep roots and the tea produced there is more than organic, it is healthy, natural, biodiverse and regenerative, and make a deep and rich flavour.
The tea is fully hand-processed in traditional way by Mr. Chen who is a highly-awarded tea expert. Each step of process of this tea has been taken considerable care and then slowly wood-charcoal baked over many hours to stabilise its flavour.
ORIGIN: Anxi County, Fujian Province
HARVEST TIME AND PROCESS: one bud and 3 leaves are harvested in the late April 2025. Fully hand-processed with medium level of oxidisation and finalised by slow wood-charcoal baking.
TASTING NOTES:
The aroma of dry leaves is powerful layered with sweet and elegant floral note.The liquor has great clarity, oily and shine in the cup with a silky transparency and a fresh yellow/golden colour. The open leaves are quite small comparing to other oolongs. They are thick, but flexible and delicate. The taste is thick, coating the palate and the aftertaste lingers playfully in the mouth - it's sweet, soft yet solid. The energy or Cha Qi of this tea is amazing, its calm and lively at the same time, settling into the body with an effortless radiance. It's perfect tea to drink all year around and one would experience the tea differently for a different weather. The long aftertaste is further accentuated by a mineral taste. I lost words to describe the exact flavour profile, and it is just a classic oolong - flawless.
BREWING TIPS
Hidden Essence can be brewed perfectly with both approaches, but one should use soft spring water or lightly filtered tap water with TDS around 100 ppm to brings out sweetness, aroma, and clarity in tea. This tea has very rich flavour, so don't use too much tea leaves.
Normal Approach:
Boiling water | 2g leave for 350ml | infuse for about 2 mins | refill as needed
Gong Fu Approach:
Water temperature: 90-100°C
Tea leaves to water ratio: 4g for 150ml
Warm all the tea vessel, no rinsing
1st infuse for 30 secs; 2nd - 8th infuse for about 20 secs; after 8th infuse add extra 10-20 secs. Please do experiment with the brewing time to your taste.
