Country of Origin: Taiwan Grade: Pouchong Oolong

Altitude: 1000–2000 ft.   Manufacture Type: Handmade Oolong

Cup Characteristics: Pouchong has a very floral and melon like fragrance. Subtle and smooth with delicate green tea notes.

Information: Pouchong is a very lightly oxidized Oolong. It is arguably the greenest Oolong of all. It has a lot of the green tea characteristics but does not have the sharp green tea vegetal notes. Its name in Chinese, literally "the wrapped kind", refers to a practice of wrapping the leaves in paper during the drying process that has largely been discontinued due to advancement in tea processing. At its best, Pouchong gives a floral and melon fragrance and has a rich, mild taste.

Oolongs follow almost the same production as black tea. The major difference between the two is in its shorter fermentation period - Oolongs are often referred to as semi-fermented teas - Formosa Pouchong Oolong undergoes a 65% shorter fermentation period. The result is a deeply complex tea that has characteristics of both black and green teas.

Hot tea brewing method: Oolongs teas are best enjoyed when the leaves are briefly infused with hot water, which is then poured off. The tea is then reinfused and tea is poured to the lucky guests after about 1 minute. The leaves may be reinfused several times, with each resulting infusion yielding different liquor from the proceeding cup.

Iced tea-brewing method: (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 6 teaspoons of tea into a heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups freshly boiled water over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into the pitcher straining the leaves. Add ice and top-up with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste.