Oriental Beauty oolong Mr Hao

ORIENTAL BEAUTY MR HAO

Oriental beauty oolong tea

Origin Vietnam, Moc Chau
Summer harvest 2022
Altitude 1200 meters
Cultivar: Quingxin (Thanh Tam)
Tea master: Mr Hao
Oxidation: high (approximately 60-70%)

During the last days of our trip to Vietnam, we met one of the most esteemed and famous tea masters in the country, Mr Hao, who spent his youth years in Taiwan. There, he learned techniques and studied cultivars that, upon his return, he adapted to the terroir of Son La. Symbol of spontaneity and unpredictability, he is one of the Oolongs we encountered in the journey through the stoic mountains of Moc Chau. Here, nature sometimes reaches out to farmers, offering a tea that is almost unique.

Different with each harvest, in the Oriental Beauty that Mr Hao produces, worked in the same way and with the same cultivar as the original Taiwanese, his experience and skills are translated.

To the care of his hands is added the diligent work of a small cicada, which feeds on the sap of the leaves. This initiates an oxidation process even before they are harvested, stimulating the production of specific antibodies and chemical compounds, the terpenes. Once harvested, the leaves, including several buds, undergo a natural withering in the sun, followed by an oxidation process that requires longer times compared to normal mountain Oolongs. The result is an intense tea with a round body, and decidedly aromatic, especially due to the terpenes, which generate the characteristic floral and fruity aroma, and to which various benefits are attributed. Everything in this tea recalls the warmth of the colors of a summer turning into autumn, the rustle of dry leaves just fallen from the trees.

Yet the flavor evolves like a new flower to life that gradually unfolds its petals: here is the scent of cardamom; once on the palate, it becomes more delicate and merges with the gentleness of geranium and elderflower, to which a lively hint of lemon is added.

To accompany, finally, there remains the lasting sweetness of honey and ripe grapes.

PREPARATION OF ORIENTAL BEAUTY

For preparation, the oriental method is recommended, which allows you to extract all the potential from the leaves and obtain different infusions: 4.5 grams in 100 ml of water at 95°C, for 30 seconds. Gradually increase by a few seconds with each subsequent infusion.

Western/alternative method: 2 grams in 200 ml of water at 95°C for 120 seconds. Add, if necessary, 30 seconds to each subsequent infusion.