Milk Oolong Tea

Milk Oolong tea is a unique Chinese oolong tea celebrated for its creamy mouthfeel and distinctive flavor profile. 

Characteristics:

- Leaf Appearance: The tea leaves of Milk Oolong are tightly rolled into small, dense balls or pearls. They often have a dark green appearance with a silvery sheen due to fine downy hairs on the leaves.
- Processing Style: Milk Oolong undergoes a specific processing technique that includes oxidation, rolling, and sometimes light roasting. The leaves are also scented or flavored to enhance the milk aroma and taste.

Flavor and Aroma:

- Flavor: Milk Oolong is renowned for its creamy, smooth, and velvety texture on the palate. It has a gentle sweetness with notes of milk and butter, resembling the taste of sweetened condensed milk or cream. The flavor is balanced with a subtle floral undertone.
- Aroma: The aroma is rich and inviting, with pronounced milky and buttery notes. There are also hints of orchid or lily, adding to its complexity.

Tasting Notes:

- First Infusion: Creamy and milky with a sweet, buttery taste and a floral fragrance.
- Subsequent Infusions: Develop a deeper complexity with more pronounced floral and creamy notes, maintaining a smooth and silky texture throughout multiple infusions.

Processing:

- Plucking: The tea leaves are carefully hand-picked, often during the cooler seasons to ensure optimal flavor and aroma.
- Withering: Leaves are spread out to wither briefly, reducing moisture content and preparing them for oxidation.
- Oxidation: Milk Oolong undergoes a moderate level of oxidation, typically between 15-30%, which contributes to its balanced flavor profile.
- Rolling: The oxidized leaves are tightly rolled into small pearls or balls to preserve freshness and enhance the tea's appearance.
- Scenting/Flavoring: Some varieties of Milk Oolong are lightly scented or flavored during processing to accentuate the creamy and milky notes.

Appearance:

- Dry Milk Oolong tea leaves are tightly rolled into small, dense balls or pearls. The color ranges from dark green to greenish-brown, with a silvery or creamy sheen from the fine downy hairs.
- When brewed, the leaves unfurl to reveal whole leaves and buds, and the liquor ranges from pale yellow-green to golden amber.

Health Benefits:

- Milk Oolong tea contains antioxidants such as catechins and polyphenols, which may contribute to various health benefits including supporting heart health, aiding digestion, and boosting immunity.
- It also contains caffeine, providing a mild energy boost and enhancing mental alertness.

Brewing Tips:

Chinese Gongfu Method (5oz / 150ml):

1. Tea Leaf-to-Water Ratio: Use approximately 5-7 grams of Milk Oolong tea for 150 ml (5 oz) of water. This ratio allows for a higher concentration suitable for Gongfu brewing.

2. Water Temperature: Heat water to around 85-90°C (185-194°F). This temperature range is ideal for oolong teas, allowing the leaves to unfurl gradually and release their flavors without becoming overly bitter.

3. Brewing Time:
   - First Infusion: Steep for about 30-40 seconds to start. This short initial steeping time allows the tightly rolled leaves of Milk Oolong to begin opening up and infusing the water with their creamy and floral notes.
   - Subsequent Infusions: Increase the steeping time slightly for each subsequent infusion. For example, steep for 40-50 seconds for the second infusion, then adjust based on taste preference. Milk Oolong tea can typically be steeped multiple times (4-5 infusions or more) using this method, with each infusion bringing out different nuances of its creamy flavor.

Cup Method (8.8oz / 250ml):

1. Tea Leaf-to-Water Ratio: Adjust based on personal preference for tea strength.

2. Water Temperature: Use water at around 85-90°C (185-194°F), similar to Gongfu brewing.

3. Brewing Time:
   - Steep Time: Steep Milk Oolong tea for 3-4 minutes. This longer steeping time allows the creamy and buttery flavors to fully develop in the larger volume of water, resulting in a smooth and aromatic cup of tea.

In summary, Milk Oolong tea stands out for its creamy texture, sweet milky flavor, and floral aroma. It represents a harmonious blend of natural beauty, artisanal skill, and cultural tradition, making it a highly sought-after oolong tea variety appreciated by tea connoisseurs worldwide. 

• Collected: 2024
• Origin: China
• Taste: Creamy and milky with a sweet, buttery taste and a floral fragrance.