oolong teas
Organic Dong Ding (or "Tung Ting") Oolong Tea
The name of the tea originates from a mountain in Taiwan - Mt. Dong Ding. Through various historical translation variations, the tea has come to acquire multiple names: Dong Ding, Tung Ting, High Mountain Oolong and Formosa Oolong, to name a few. Along the slopes of the mountainside, the Taiwanese tea growers established a cultivar of the tea plant that was able to endure the harsh climate and through unique processing steps produce a low oxidized oolong tea with a rich, smooth flavor that can be infused many times.
The photograph above (left) shows how each tightly rolled ball of hand-picked tea is actually the upper two leaves and a bud which unfurl in hot water. This opening of the tightly balled tea is what encourages multiple infusions as the tea slowly releases its flavor cup after cup.
How to Prepare Dong Ding Oolong Tea -
Heat water to 190˚F (add a little cool water to the cup with boiling water to reduce temperature) and add one rounded teaspoon loose leaf tea per cup (apprx. 8 ounces). Infuse the tea leaves for 1-2 minutes depending on taste preference. May be infused 2-4 times.
Oolong teas are traditionally prepared in smaller earthenware or porcelain tea pots and shared in smaller cups using the pot to brew subsequent infusions. Create your own ceremony or prepare the tea by the cup. Experiment - oolong teas have an incredible range of subtle flavor profiles depending on how they are prepared, how long they are brewed, how pure the water used, etc. and yet they are hardy enough to shine through such a wide range of brewing methods. Everyone finds their own favorite way to prepare and enjoy an exceptional oolong tea.
INGREDIENTS: Organic oolong tea. Origin: Chang Rai, Thailand.
A ZEN TARA EXCLUSIVE: Our Dong Ding Oolong tea is a Taiwan tea plant cultivar grown in Northern Thailand in partnership with Taiwan tea experts for over 30 years at the Suwirun Estate, certified by the Organic Thailand program. Our team travels to this tea estate annually (above right) to review the growing and processing of their specialty oolong teas. The majority of the exported tea of the Suwirun Estate is sent to Japan and it is rarely available here in the United States.
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